Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1911 — HOW FIRST BASE IS PLAYED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOW FIRST BASE IS PLAYED

Jake Daubert of Brooklyn National League Team Gives Few Tips on Initial Sack Position. I don’t suppose I can tell anybody how to play first base. It is one thing to get in and play the game according to my own ideas, and a different thing to set myself up as an authority. A youngster who wants to play first base—or anywhere else on the team —must have the natural ability. He must be able to play the mechanical part of baseball with ease. A first baseman should be a lefthander. This Is not conceit because I am left-handed, but it is a clearly apparent fact that a left-handed man can handle first base more successfully than a right-hander. He has the entire infield • “before” him, so to speak, and does not have to make the turns that a right-handed player is often compelled to make. Of course, there have been some brilliant first basemen who were right-handed, but they were brilliant in spite of this fact and not because of it. A first baseman must always make a specialty of handling thrown balls. He must be able to accept the throws of other players without regard to the man who may be oomlng down first base line from the plate at top speed. At the same time he must take the throw in such a way that he will be able to touch the bag and yet keep clear of the runner. The youngster can learn the peculiarities of players opposing him by close observation. Nearly every batter has some manner of betraying himself. Few use the same style of bunting and hitting. I have found it good policy to play “ deep” when there la. a pitcher working who can be depended on to get to first ahead off a runner. Once I heard a manager say to a recruit who made a spectacular one-handed stab: “Use both your hands—l signed ’em both.” I should advise a first, baseman to use both his hands in taking throws until he has become absolutely sure. A wide throw that gets away may mean a lost game. If you want to succeed at baseball learn every detail of the game. It is a never-ceasing source of new problems, new situations, new conditions.

The process of figuring out a play should become second nature to the player. Cultivate the acquaintance of experienced players and listen to them carefully. Observe the rules of the game. Never bait an umpire. Behave like a gentleman. Play hard to win and never give up. Keep regular hours. Let “booze” strictly alone. Don’t smoke to qxcess. Better not at all. Learn the Inside of the game. Practice all you can.

Jake Daubert.