what does the 1st Base Coach do?

[reiser]

I went to the Braves game yesterday with some business people, and one non-fan asked me that. and the more I thought about it, the less I had an answer. The 3B coach is giving all the signs and has the most usefulness with sending runners.
hmm.

[Art Vandelay]

His main duty is to pat them on the butt after a hit.

[crapshooter]

Obiviously you've never coached. The first base coach's main job is to let the runner know whether to advance or hold up. The baserunner on way to first base is only looking straight ahead trying to get there as fast as possible. He can't be looking to see where the ball is.

[phunkadelic]

His main duty is to pat them on the butt after a hit.

In the Reds organization, they give the 1B coach a stopwatch and he times the pitcher's delivery to help make slightly more informed decisions about when to steal or not steal.

But I agree, they pretty much do nothing.

[wrveres]

The 1B coach is very very important ...
Right up there with "Bench Coach" and bullpen catcher

He times the pitcher for SB's, and yells "back" when the pitcher throws to 1B.

[Dawgpound 1613]

Don't forget, someone has to hold the armor that some players wear after getting a single since they don't need it running the bases.

Besides timing pitchers and pick-of attempts, they also help runners on 1st keep track of the ball. E.g., on a hit-and-run when the baserunner loses track of the ball, the 1st base coach will yell instructions, etc.

But definitely not as many job functions as the 3b coach.

[theclefe]

Main reason is to advance the runner.

Along with the other things mentioned, he also discusses strategies and situational plays with the runner. Studies pitchers... and relieviers pick off moves. Before there were a dozen scoreboards on the field, he kept track of the count and how many outs for the runner.

The more I think about it, the coach is sort of odd. That being said, I am a much better baserunner today because of my JV 1st base coach.

[Rirruto]

His job is to remind the baserunner what to do in certain situations

[Matthias]

his job is to hope that some day he'll get made a third base coach (or head coach). he's also exclusively responsible to hold down the grass in the foul territory of right field.

it's baseball. it's tradition. there's no sense in it. although this mock article is kind of funny.

http://www.thebrushback.com/tbbib_oct04.htm
First Base Coach Wonders If He’s Even Making A Difference Anymore
LOS ANGELES--John Shelby, first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is wondering if he’s even making a difference anymore. After years of watching batters arrive at first base indifferent to his advice, Shelby has been forced to reassess his role on the team. Is he really needed? Is he having any impact at all? “This is sort of an existential question I guess,” said Shelby. “All of mankind’s greatest philosophers have dealt with the age-old question ‘Why are we here?’ but I’m sure none of them have had to experince the soul crushing experience of being a first base coach. I feel so…so impotent-though not in a Rafael Palmeiro sort of way.” Shelby is considering asking for a promotion to third base coach, where the runner will at least be required to pay attention to him.

[Trot Nixon]

yell "baaaaaaack!"