In baseball, "first base" is one of the four bases that players must touch to score a run. It is located to the right of home plate and is the first base a player reaches after hitting the ball. The objective is to safely reach first base without being tagged out by the opposing team. Players can reach first base by hitting the ball and running, or by being walked, which means they receive four balls and can advance to first without hitting. The position of the player who defends first base is called the first baseman, who plays a crucial role in preventing runners from advancing.