Editing First baseman (section)

=== Position ===
Unlike the [[pitcher]] and [[catcher]], who must start every play in a designated area (the pitcher must be on the [[pitcher's mound]], with one foot in contact with the [[pitcher's rubber]], and the catcher must be behind [[home plate]] in the [[catcher's box]]) the first baseman and the other fielders can vary their positioning in response to what they anticipate will be the actions of the batter and runner(s) once play begins.<ref>Baseball Explained by Phillip Mahony. McFarland Books, 2014. See [http://www.baseballexplained.com www.baseballexplained.com]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813034018/http://www.baseballexplained.com/ |date=August 13, 2014 }}</ref>

When first base is not occupied by a baserunner, the first baseman usually stands behind first base and off the foul line. The distance he plays from the base and [[baseball diamond#Specifications|foul line]] is dependent on the current hitter and any runners on base. The exact position may also depend on the first baseman's experience, preference, and fielding ability. For a known right-handed [[pull hitter]], the first baseman might position himself further towards the second baseman's normal fielding position. For a known left-handed [[pull hitter]], the first baseman will position himself closer to the foul line to stop a ball hit down the line.

To protect against a bunt on the first base side of the infield, the first baseman will position himself in front of the base and move towards the hitter as the pitch is thrown. As soon as the pitcher commits to throwing towards home plate, the first baseman will charge towards the hitter to field the bunt. During these plays, it is the responsibility of the second baseman to cover first base.

With a base runner present at first base, the first baseman stands with their right foot touching the base to prepare for a [[pickoff]] attempt. Once the pitcher commits to throwing towards home plate, the first baseman comes off the bag in front of the runner and gets in a fielding position. If the bases are loaded, or if the runner on first base is not a base stealing threat, the first baseman will position himself behind the runner and appropriate for the current batter.

When waiting for a throw from another player, the first baseman stands with their off-glove foot touching the base, then stretches toward the throw. This stretch decreases the amount of time it takes the throw to get to first and encourages the umpire to call close plays in favor of the fielding team.  Veteran first basemen are known to pull off the bag early on close plays to convince the umpire that the ball reached their glove before the runner reached first base. The first baseman also has the responsibility of cutting off throws from any of the three outfield positions on their way to home plate. Though highly situational, the first baseman usually only receives throws from the center or right fielder.