Have you ever stopped to think about which defensive position in fastpitch softball is the least valued? I think you can make a pretty argument for first base.

I mean, sure, there are plenty of parents who think that playing the outfield (doesn’t matter which specific position) is an insult to their highly talented daughters. Especially in the 10U-14U age groups.

But eventually they come to see that playing the outfield has some pretty unique challenges, as well as that having great outfielders can make or break a team’s success. Game-saving catch or throw, anyone?

There is, however, one position that doesn’t seem to get much love from coaches, parents, or fans in general: first base.

I’ve heard plenty of long-time coaches say that first base is where you put a good hitter who can’t field or throw. Or it’s where you put a left-handed thrower whose parents are complaining about her being in the outfield.

Those who think that way, however, are missing an important point, which is that a great first baseman can make up for some serious deficiencies at other positions.

The most obvious, of course, is when you have a team that struggles to throw the ball accurately. A quality first baseman will snag all those errant throws while still finding a way to either keep her foot on the bag somehow or sweep a quick tag as the runner is approaching first.

I’ve even seen first basemen do the splits trying to pick up a throw going in the dirt. Not consciously, necessarily, but they’re so focused on getting the ball and getting the out they just end up there. It’s quite a sight to see.

A heads-up first baseman can also save you some runs when another infielder forgets there is a runner on third with less than two outs. A quick snag and throw to home can catch a baserunner who thought she could take advantage of a fielder who either didn’t know or should have known better.

On a dropped third strike first basemen have to know where to position themselves based on where the ball ended up, then have to stand there while that batter/runner charges full steam ahead toward them. That may not seem like too complicated of a play but how many times have you seen it played incorrectly – and had a hitter who struck out reach base instead?

First basemen have to know when to charge a bunt and when to go back to the base. They’re often involved in rundowns between first and second as well as home and third.

They have to know when to go for that ground ball to their right and when to let off of it to cover the base. And they’re often the cut on throws to the outfield, which means they have to understand how to get in position depending on where the ball is hit and then pick out the catcher’s voice from the cacophony of voices on the field, in the dugout, and in the stands telling them what to do.

In other words, it’s more than just standing there playing a simple game of catch on an easy ground ball to short.

Basically, first base is what you might call a “lunch bucket” position because most of the time, if you’re playing it well, no one notices or they take it for granted. Even on some of the crazy stretches or the jump and tags.

But don’t come up with a ball in the dirt and you’re going to hear about how you have to “scoop it.” Come off the bag a little late on a wild throw and you’re going to hear about how you have to come off sooner. Even if the real solution would be a better throw to begin with.

It can be a frustrating for sure. Which is why I thought it might be nice for those first basemen out there to get a little love and recognition for everything they do to basically fix the mistakes everyone else makes.

So here’s to all of you who play first base – a position so under-valued it doesn’t even have a cool nickname. I see you.

Keep doing what you’re doing and saving your teammates’ bacon time after time. You may not get a lot of recognition, but they’ll surely miss you when you’re not out there.