If, at first, the pitcher wants to succeed....

Perhaps the most common defensive play in the pitcher's book is covering first base on any ground ball hit to the right side of the infield.

The pitcher must react instinctively. He must never assume that the first and second basemen will always be able to make the play. He must understand that the first baseman will occasionally be called off by the second baseman and/or may go so far to his right that he won't be able to get back to the bag in time for a throw.

The pitcher must bounce off the mound as quickly as possible and make a quick assessment of the situation: who is most likely to field the ball and from what angle will the throw to first be made?

If the second baseman is going to field the ball, the pitcher will often find it expeditious to dash straight for the inside corner of the bag.

If the first baseman is likely to field the ball, the pitcher may cover first in the classic fashion: run hard and under control to a point, about 12 feet down from the bag, then run up the baseline to the bag, chopping the feet to get under control as he nears the bag (remembering that he will be expected to hit the bag with his right foot).

If the first baseman has fielded the ball, he must decide whether he can make the play (tag the base) himself or to flip the ball to the pitcher. The flip is normally made underhand with the thrower's body following through.

If the first baseman is too far from first to flip the ball, he should deliver it overhand or sidearm, whichever is easier and safer.

If the first baseman has the time, he may take a step toward the bag for the throw. This will help him line up his target (pitcher).

If the first baseman has to wait for the pitcher to cover first, he would do well to shuffle toward the bag to shorten the throwing distance, and make a quicker, safer throw.

The first baseman should deliver the ball at least chest high to the pitcher, maybe two steps before the pitcher reaches the bag. A chest-high throw will help the pitcher watch the ball into his glove and then hit the bag with his right foot.

If there are no runners on base, the pitcher can catch the ball and keep running up the inside of the foul line to avoid any collisions.

If there are runners on base, the pitcher, after tagging up with the right foot, should take a step with his left foot and a step with his right foot, then instantly turn back to the infield to pick up the runners.

Any runner on third will already have scored. The runner on second is the dangerous man. He'll be looking to go all the way home. The pitcher should have his arm up, ready to peg the ball home.

The pitcher-to-first-base play should be worked on regularly, with the outfielders aligned to the right of the catcher as hitters/runners, the first and second basemen aligned at normal depth, the pitcher stationed on the mound, and the other pitchers strung in a line toward second base.

The reason for lining the pitchers up between the mound and second base is to enable them to observe and critique each other.

The coach must stand to the left of the catcher and fungo the ball to the right side of the infield.

The pitcher simulates a delivery to the plate, the baserunner takes a dry swing, and the coach then hits the ball to the right side of the infield.

The pitcher immediately bounces off the mound, breaks for first base, and receives the ball from either the first or second baseman.

The pitching coach must set up along the first-base area to check the fundamentals.

This drill can be conducted for any length of time. The wise coach will schedule it every week to make sure the pitchers learn to do it instinctively, smoothly, and effectively.