First basemen should be better-than-average hitters, since first base is one of the. reservoirs for hitting strength, as are also the three outfield positions. First basemen are usually placed among the first four of the batting list, where the greatest scoring strength is needed. First and second places in the hitting order are usu- ally given to fast, small men. Third and fourth places go to hard hitting players like Jimmy Bottomley of the Cincinnati Reds, who can drive the runs around. Most first basemen in the major league båt either third or fourth, like Jimmy Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Bill Terry, Jimmy Collins, etc.