A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majority of plays made at that base.

What does a first baseman do?

The first baseman is responsible not only for fielding ground balls hit in his vicinity but also for catching throws from other infielders to force a runner out at first base. ... The first baseman often has to "scoop" one-hop throws from an infielder or pick low throws out of the dirt.

What is the meaning of first base in baseball?

1 : the base that must be touched first by a base runner in baseball. 2 : the player position for defending the area around first base.