Baserunning Drill Page

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Some baseball players are fast runners and some baseball players are slow, but you can be a good base runner even if you aren't very fast. Knowing when to run and knowing when not to run are more important than being really fast. Of course, it's best if you're really fast and a good base runner! In this section, we'll talk about what makes a good base runner and how to slide.

Three Rules of Good Base Running

1. Check the coach for a signal - perhaps a steal or maybe a bunt's on. You have to know the signal before you leave the base.
2. Before you EVER leave a base, find the baseball. Do not get caught in the old "hidden ball trick."
3. Check the defense.

Fundamentals of Running The Bases

Run "loose" with no tension. This does not mean not to run hard, it just means don't run tense. Shoulders are level. Hands and arms work in a "piston-like" manner-- the hands go no higher than the shoulders in front and no further back than the hips behind. Hips are level, like the shoulders. Knees come up to the level of the hips. The toes land before the heels. Run in a straight line.

Running to (through) First Base - (ground ball on the infield)

• Baserunning starts at the crack of the bat! Good hitting mechanics allow a player to get a better jump out of the batter's box.
• First step out of the batter's box - Right handed hitter will take his first step to first base with his right foot. A left handed hitter would cross-over with his rear foot (left) by opening up his stride foot (right) after contact with the ball.
• Quick Peek - On the third or fourth step, the batter may grab a quick peek to see if the ball is on the infield (and he's running through the bag), or got through the infield to the outfield (and he's making a turn at first base), or got between the outfielders (and he's thinking double) Do not watch the ball after your quick peek -- it only slows you down. Last season, I saw a lot of kids get thrown out at first base because they were watching the ball instead of running hard.
• Run in a straight line for first base You must run in the restraining box that begins about 1/2 way up the first base line. If you are hit with a thrown ball and you are not in the restraining box, you can be called out.
• The runner must never leap for first base.
• The runner must attempt to touch the front of the base.
• The runner must touch first base every time.
• The runner must run full speed through first base.
• On ground balls on the infield think of first base as the finish line in a race. Good runners "run through" the finish line.
• After running full speed through first base, the runner then chops his steps down and looks to his right (toward foul territory) for the overthrow.

Rounding First Base - (ground ball through the infield)

• On your quick peek you see the ball is through the infield.
• About half way toward first base, begin your banana turn.
• Hit the inside corner of the bag with your inside foot (left) Make the ball stop you.
• Follow the ball all the way back to the bag
• We're thinking "two out of the box." Doubles are made between home and first not between first and second.

You're a Runner on First Base and A Fly Ball is Hit in the Outfield

On fly ball to right, go 1/3 of the way between 1st and 2nd. You will have to turn yourself so you can see if the right fielder catches the ball. On fly ball to center, go about 1/2 way between 1st and 2nd. On fly ball to left, you can go almost 2/3 of the way between 1st and 2nd. Your weight is on the balls of your feet. Your arms are hanging loosely in front of you. If the ball falls in, you're on your way to second base. If the ball is caught, you're scampering back to first base.

You're a Runner on Second Base and a Ball is Hit (no runner on first)

"Apply the Rule": On ground ball to right side (second base, first base), advance to third. On ground ball back to pitcher, hold and make sure he throws the ball to first (you can be a couple of steps off the bag, just don't be so far off that the pitcher can pick you off), then if you've gotten a good jump, go over to third. On ground ball to left side, make the third baseman or shortstop throw the ball to first before attempting to go to third. (You can be a couple of steps off the bag, just don't be so far off that they can pick you off.) Make a line drive go through. don't get doubled off ! On fly balls, if it's obviously going to be caught - go back to second to tag up. If the fly ball is kinda iffy (may be caught and may not be caught), you need to be far enough off the bag so that you can score if the ball falls in for a hit, but not so far off the bag that they can double you off if the ball is caught. Obviously, the coach doesn't have time to go over all of possible scenarios in a game. So, I'll just say: Apply the Rule.

You're a Runner on Third Base

• Scoring on a passed ball or wild pitch

As the ball goes by the batter, the runner at third will push off the bag with their back foot and take two or three hard strides toward home plate in foul territory (if you are hit with a batted ball in fair territory, you're out), finishing with their weight going forward. Then, if there is a passed ball or a wild pitch, the runner is in position to score. If the catcher catches the ball, the runner retreats back to third base, but he does so in fair territory (so if the catcher throws to third the ball has a good chance of hitting the runner in the back, caroming into left field and we score the run).

• Tagging up on fly balls

Make the line drive go through. Don't get doubled off! On any fly ball to the outfield that isn't obviously a base hit (and less than two out. With two outs, of course, you're off on contact), you go back to third base and tag up. Timing is very important. If you leave the base too soon, they can appeal the play and you can be called out. If you leave the base too late, they may throw you out at the plate. If it's going to be a close play, the runner must leave the base at the exact time the ball touches the glove of the outfielder. The runner must be able to observe the catch himself, rather than relying on the third base coach to tell him to tag up. The only way the runner can clearly see the ball while tagging up at a base is to have the foot on the base that will allow him full sight of the baseball as it is touched by the outfielder. Just as the ball touches the outfielders glove, the runner pushes off hard with his foot that is in full contact with the base, achieve maximum acceleration as quickly as possible, and slide at home plate. If you run into the catcher and don't slide, they will call you out. You must slide at home.

From : Teaching Kids to Play Baseball by Jerry Kindall

Sliding

Sliding is "controlled falling." It is not a jump or a leap. We will teach only the Figure-4 slide. Head-first sliding is illegal in our league. If you head-first slide, you will be automatically out. Whenever we steal a base, advance on a passed ball or on an overthrow, we assume the slide. I don't want anyone thrown out because they didn't slide.

Figure 4 slide

The player tucks one of his legs underneath him as he goes into his slide. This is called establishing the tuck leg. The top leg is slightly bent, so it can give a little when it hits the base. It's important for there to be some bend in the top leg, otherwise it can break when it jams into the base. The head is up looking for the base. The arms are off the ground.

The Cardboard Sliding Drill Sliding

It's fun and easy to learn with the cardboard sliding drill. The players will get a running start, come in and execute a Figure-4 slide on a big, slick piece of cardboard. Wear old socks the day we do the cardboard sliding drill, because we slide in our sock feet. I don't want your mom mad at me because we trashed a pair of your good socks learning to slide!

From : Teaching Kids to Play Baseball by Jerry Kindall

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