Chapter 8-Baserunning


Essential Technique

Running the bases should be very simple. Every time the ball is hit, the batter should always sprint as hard as possible to first base. First off, the batter must make sure to focus on good technique on the swing, but then he must do everything he possibly can to get out of the box. After that, good running technique is essential. The runner should pump his arms straight back as hard as he can, run on his toes, and run in a straight line to first. It helps to pretend you’re pushing someone back with your elbows. Too many people don’t pump their arms up and down hard, nor run in a straight line to first. Also, don’t grit your teeth or run with a clenched jaw. Relaxed muscles go faster.

Home to first


Ground ball to infield
On all ground balls, run as hard as possible past the base, then slow down. Do not reach out on the last stride, this slows you down. Too many people slow down just as they reach the bag and this is deceiving for the umpire. Also, touch the base every time. This sound like foolish advice, but more players than you think run over the base on a play when they get thrown out by a lot. After touching first, look to the right in case of an overthrow.

Single
On an obvious single to the outfield, belly out halfway down the line. This is important in order to gain a good angle and a good straight path towards second base. The runner should touch first base with either foot, preferably the right, although not hesitate if he is going to touch it with the other foot. Round first while still sprinting hard, find the ball, and if it is fielded cleanly, put on the breaks hard, then return to first.

Late single
On a ground ball which gets through the infield, or goes through an infielder’s legs, the runner still must round out before the base, albeit a little later. It is important to do this, although don’t confuse it with a bobbled ball, which would cause you to slow down when there might still be a play.

Double
On a ball in the gap, round out just like on a single, but continue on to second in a straight line.

On First

Regular Lead
It is important to determine how far you can take a lead and get back to first safely with a dive. Get off early enough to take your full lead. Take shuffle steps off the bag, but don’t ever cross-over or you will be picked off. Take your lead in front of the baseline, giving the pitcher the impression that you are closer than you really are. (Photo 39) If you are not stealing, you should not be picked, nor surprised if they throw over. For a right-hander, watch the pitcher’s left foot. He can’t throw over unless he lifts it up, or unless he steps back. For a left-hander, don’t take a secondary hop until you are sure he is going home. If his right leg crosses his left, he must throw home. Watch out for the step-back, as well as his step towards the first base dugout. Don’t fall for head fakes.

Secondary Lead
A secondary lead is simple, yet is often not performed well. Take two hard shuffle steps, not crossing the legs over, and not rising up in the air. When the pitch crosses the plate, land on the right foot. If the ball is hit, keep on going. If the ball is caught, plant hard, push off, and sprint back to the base. Too many people don’t shuffle hard, nor do they sprint back to the bag.

Stealing
To be a successful base stealer, you must get a feel for gauging the rhythm of the pitcher. Learn the pitcher’s tendencies; Get a big lead and make him throw over; Learn what his best move is and exploit it. If he doesn’t step back, you can get a moving lead. If he isn’t paying attention or gets predictable, get a good jump. If he slide-steps, stop and stay because you’ll be thrown out. Remember that getting picked off every once in a while is worth it because it means you are getting good leads and probably stealing a high percentage of bases. To steal, take a short, hard jab step with the right foot, then a hard cross over with the left while pumping the right arm back. Don’t jump upwards, but don’t stay low either. Gradually rise up as you run.

Delay Steal
The delayed steal, also called the zone delay, is a powerful tool in baserunning. It is highly effective if done right, and if middle infielders are not paying attention. In short, it’s very simple, although poorly practiced. Instead of two hops in a secondary lead, take three. Cover a lot of ground towards second, not up in the air. After the third hop, sprint to second. Too often, runners panic and don’t complete the three hops, or they don’t cover lots of ground. After the third hop, you should be at least 1/3 of the way towards second.

Steal on Catcher
This is slightly different than the delay, but effective if the catcher is not paying attention. Take your usual secondary lead (two hops), then when the pitch crosses the plate, take a step towards first with your right leg, then turn and sprint towards second.

Fake Steal
This is highly effective in not only setting up the delay steal, but also in putting pressure on the fielders by moving them out of position, and making them generally uneasy. When you are certain the pitcher is throwing home, take a quick jab step with the right, a hard cross-over with the left, then plant with your right and face the batter and stop. If the pitch goes by, sprint back to the bag.

Lunge
Against left-handed pitchers, as well as in a first and third situation, the fake steal is a recipe for getting picked off. In this situation, simply lunge with the right foot towards second while remaining balanced so you can get back if the pitcher throws over.

Gamble Steal on Lefties
To steal effectively on lefties, you must set him up. Take a big lead, leaning back to first. When the pitcher lifts up his leg, take a shuffle back towards first. If he throws over, go back, that’s fine. Add in some fakes too. When you want to steal, take a smaller lead, preferably inside the baseline, and when the pitcher lifts up his right leg, immediately go. This is a dangerous gamble of a steal with the premise that the pitcher determines if he is going to throw over before he lifts up his leg. So, you are setting him up, and guessing that he will pitch home. If he doesn’t, keep going, and run on the inside of the baseline.

Double Sprint Steal
This steal occurs with runners at first and third against a left-handed pitcher. When the pitcher lifts up his right foot, the runner at first takes off towards second. At the same time, the runner at third immediately takes off towards home.

On Second

Primary lead
The lead at second is longer than at first, and there can be more movement and rhythm. With zero or one out, it should be in the baseline, while with two outs, start back in order to get an angle towards third. Eyes should be kept on the pitcher only, as the third base coach will take care of the shortstop and second baseman.

Secondary Lead
The secondary lead is the same two hops as when leading off first.

General Rules
The simple rule to going to third on a ground ball is: “Go on balls in front of you or behind you.” This means balls to the third baseman or shortstop that must be charged, or balls to the shortstop’s left. Make sure the ball goes past the pitcher. Note that this also applies when the contact play is on with runners at second and third.

When to Tag
In general, on deep fly balls, tag from second base with zero outs, and go halfway with one out. That’s because with one out, the fly ball will make two outs, and there is not much difference between being on second and being on third with two outs.

Stealing
Stealing third is easier than stealing second, and while it requires less speed, requires more feel for the pitcher’s rhythm. Study the pitcher and his rhythm for throwing home. Know how many looks he takes at second before he throws. Notice if he checks you at all. You should be able to get a decent walking lead and get a great jump, especially against a lefty. However, you must always be wary of the spin move.

Double Steal
On a steal with runners at first and second, it is imperative that the runner at first doesn’t slow down, because the catcher might throw to second to get the trailing runner.

On Third

Secondary Lead
The lead from third is a hybrid of a set lead, and a walking lead. Square up in foul territory close to the base, facing the pitcher. When he commits to throwing home, but no sooner, take a walking lead towards home. When the pitch crosses home plate, plant with the right foot, then sprint back on the inside of the foul line.

General rules
Follow these simple rules so you don’t get picked off.
1) Freeze on a line
2) Freeze on a deep fly, then tag
3) On shallow pop-ups, go halfway, because if it’s dropped, you’ll never be able to tag.
4) If there is one out, often times the contact play is on, so simply watch the ball come off the bat in a down angle, then immediately break for home.
5) With no outs, you often have to make sure the ball goes through the infield, unless the middle of the infield is back, so if it’s hit past the pitcher to shortstop or second, you can score.

Sliding

Bent Leg Slide
The bent-leg slide (Photo 40) is the essential text of sliding. To find which way is most comfortable to slide, simply sit down cross-legged. The leg which goes underneath first is the leg which goes underneath in the bent-leg slide. For example, the left leg would be bent underneath and perpendicular to the right leg which is pointing straight ahead, slightly bent, and with the foot in the air. The contact points of the runner (in this example) are the left ankle, the left side of the buttocks, and the right heel (although try to keep your feet from getting jammed into the ground). The runner must keep his hands in the air to prevent from being cleated. The runner has to know how long it takes to slide, to correctly anticipate when to begin the slide. Theoretically, a late slide is better on double plays and tag plays, but it is also much more dangerous, because of the potential of twisting the ankle on a stationary base.

Pop-up Slide
The pop-up slide is the same as the bent-leg slide, only at the completion, the runner uses his momentum to pop-up into a standing position in order to pick up the ball and keep running.

Hook Slide
The hook slide is a variation on the bent leg slide, but instead of the leg tucking under, it spreads out to the side, hooking out and around the base. The runner should practice on each side of the base, using both legs as the hooking leg.

Head First Slide
The head first slide is effective, although should never be used at first or home due to injury reasons. It should mostly be used for sliding on stolen bases, although the fingers are exposed and can be injured by cleats or the base. In addition, it is essential for sliding back into first base on pick-off attempts.

Avoiding the Tag
Too many base-runners slide into the tag. It is essential to always expect a play, and in turn, to avoid the tag by sliding accordingly, to the inside or outside, or by staying low or popping-up.

Notes:
1) Never slide head-first into first or home.
2) If you have to slide into first base, do a bent-leg slide.

OPPOSING THEORIES:
Most all baseball coaches express an interesting concept when rounding first and going to second. That is, that you are supposed to touch first with your left foot. Yet, it is possible to disagree, under the premise that touching it with your left foot means you have to sharply rotate your body left and swing your right leg all the way around. If you touch with your right foot, you don’t have to make any jarring movements to keep on running smoothly towards second. Plus, you get a little push-off to second (although you must not break your stride). With that said, don’t stutter-step or hesitate to step on first with the correct foot – run smoothly and continuously, and in a straight line towards second.

Mental Approach
The problem with baserunning, unlike hitting, pitching or fielding, is that there is no negative feedback which occurs from doing the skill wrong or poorly in practice. The only time it shows up is during games, and by then, it’s too late. Being a good baserunner is about paying attention and caring about doing it well, even if it doesn’t show up in the box score. The key is to simply pay attention and care.

Mental Reminders:
1) Halfway means as far as you can go, as long as you can get back.
2) Always run hard past first.
3) Check the infielders and outfielders before each batter.
4) Remind yourself to slide.
5) Rely on base coach only when going first to third, and second to home.
6) Freeze on all line drives.

Practice Drills
There are many baserunning drills, and they are all good, although the best way to get better as a base runner is to conscientiously work on it during batting practice.

Batting Practice
In the last swing of batting practice, the hitter runs out the hit. Sometimes it’s just a regular swing, or a hit-and-run, but I recommend doing a bunt for a hit, so the hitter practices bunting before running.

At First Base: The runner has three things to practice in any variation: 1) Secondary lead, 2) Steal, and 3) Hit-and-run
At Second Base: The runner has to practice reading the hit ball with one out.
At Third Base: The runner has to practice reading the ball with one out, particularly scoring on a grounder when the ball is hit on the down angle, as well as freezing, then tagging on a fly ball. Squeeze and safety squeeze running techniques can also be practiced.

Five Lines
Specific base-running skills can be accomplished two ways. Put five runners lined up at first base, with one pitcher, and work on specific skills, five at a time. Here are a list of skills to work on:

From first
1) Secondary Lead
2) Regular Lead
3) Stealing
4) Delay Steal
5) Steal on Catcher
6) Fake Steal
7) Lunge
8) Steal on Lefties
9) Double Sprint Steal

From second
1) Secondary lead
2) Stealing

From third
1) Reading down angle/liner/fly balls
2) Double sprint steal


Sliding Drills
In sliding practice, safety is important, and skills should be practiced on dirt, wet grass, or in socks on a smooth gym floor. Three lines can be used to work on all the slides - bent-leg slide, pop-up slide, and hook slide. Head-first slides should be practiced on dirt, wet grass, or on a mat to determine lead size. Each runner should figure out how many slide steps he should take off the bag for his lead, and still be able to safely dive back. This is essential to do in the preseason, and remembered all season long.

During First and Third Defensive Drills
Outfielders and infielders can get a lot of good baserunning work in during the first and third defensive drill. It is great for practicing getting a jump on a steal, especially since you don’t know if the pitcher is throwing over or not, as well as working on delayed steals and gamble steals on left-handed pitchers.

Offensive Skills Drill
The offensive skills drill, elaborated on more in the Team Defense chapter, is a good opportunity to practice baserunning.

Common Baserunning Faults/Remedies
1. Problem: Not scoring from first on long fly ball doubles
Remedy:
Remember that “halfway” means as far as you can go as long as you can get back
Keep your momentum going towards second or third - You should have time to get back
Run all the way to second, or past it
Know where the fielders are playing the hitter
Anticipate what you’re going to do before the pitch
Drills:
Offensive Skills Drill
Batting practice baserunning

2. Problem: Getting doubled up on line drives
Remedy:
Freeze on line drives
Check position of fielders before each batter
Be aware
Drills:
Batting practice baserunning
Offensive skills drill

3. Problem: Not tagging on fly balls or deep line drives to outfield
Remedy:
Freeze first, then go back and tag
Check position of fielders before each batter
Be aware
Drills:
Batting practice baserunning
Offensive skills drill

4. Problem: Poor delayed steals
Remedy:
Make three complete hops
Cover a lot of ground on each hop
Drills:
Five line baserunning drills

5. Problem: Poor reactions
Remedy:
Anticipate the play ahead
Be aware
Be conscientious during baserunning drills
Drills:
Batting practice baserunning
Offensive skills drill

6. Problem: Poor secondary leads
Remedy:
Take two complete hops
Sprint back to the bag
Take a lead on the inside of the baseline
Drills:
Five-man baserunning
Batting practice baserunning

7. Problem: Sliding into outs
Remedy:
Always expect a tag
Avoid the tag by sliding to the side, or stay down
Drills:
Team sliding drills
Simulated games
First and third drills

8. Problem: Not sliding
Remedy:
Remind yourself to slide into every base you reach
Drills:
none

9. Problem: How do I get a feel for and have rhythm as a baserunner?
Remedy:
Conscientiously work on it whenever possible
Be aware
Perform the technique fast and hard, but also as smoothly as possible
Drills:
Batting practice baserunning
Simulated games
Do things game speed