BASERUNNING

Item #

Situation

Required Play or Action

Refer to Chart BR throughout this Section

1	Running to 1st	· Sprinting through: Ø As soon as the ball is hit drop your bat and sprint (heads down) to 1^st base. Your back foot closest to the catcher should be the first foot out of the batter’s box. Ø Right before you put your head down to sprint, catch a quick glimpse of where the ball was hit to see if it stayed in the infield or got through to the outfield. If you hit a fly ball you should automatically turn 1^st. If you hit a grounder then sneak a peek. This will help you in your decision to sprint through 1^st base or to turn towards 2^nd base. Do not look at the ball for long because it will slow you down dramatically and you will probably be out at 1^st. The final determinant though is the 1^st Base Coach. Watch him or her carefully. Ø Keep your eyes on the front part of 1^st base. You have the best chance to be safe by aiming for the front part of the base since it is the closest part. Ø DO NOT come to a stop AT 1^st base. Instead, sprint THROUGH 1^st base and then begin to “slow down” by running shorter, choppier steps. Spread your feet wider apart as you run and you’ll slow down faster. At this point you are straddling the base line---you aren’t leaning in either direction. · Committing to 1^st or 2^nd: Ø After passing 1^st base turn your head IMMEDIATELY towards foul territory before turning your body around. If you can see the ball then there was an overthrow and you can proceed to 2^nd as long as another runner isn’t already there. Also, listen to your 1^st base coach. If you don’t see the ball to your right (foul territory) then turn your body to the right (committing to 1^st base) and return to the base. Remember, if you turn to the left (towards 2^nd base) after you pass 1^st base then you have “committed” to 2^nd base and are open to be tagged by the 1^st baseman or anyone else. When you turn to the right you are declared “safe” and can return to 1^st without being tagged out. Hustling down to 1^st base can result in you being safe if the ball is dropped, bobbled or a poor throw is made. Always hustle.
2	Turning a base	Ø When you are going to “turn” a base you need to alter the way you approach it. When you are sprinting down to 1^st you are running in a straight line. When you turn the base you move about 3 feet to the right of the base line and then “curve” your way to the base, tag it, then proceed to the next base if your coach gave you the OK. Start angling for the turn at 1^st when you are a bit more than halfway down the line. Ø Your objective is to get to 2^nd base. You should be prepared to stop yourself only if there is no chance to reach 2^nd or if your 1^st base coach told you to stop, but always turn 1^st with the thought that you will make it to 2^nd. Otherwise, turn the base and take about 3-4 steps while looking at the field of play. You may need to return to the base in a hurry.
3	Footwork on the base at the start of each pitch	Proper base footwork is: · To have the ball of one foot over the edge of the base touching the ground and pointed towards the next base. · The other foot grabs the other side of the base by the top of the toes. · You are leaning forward ready to explode off the base. Push off the ball of the front foot hard to propel you to the next base.
4	Stealing/Leads	Depending on the rules you can leave the base either when the ball crosses the plate OR when it leaves the pitcher’s hand. Either way, once you are permitted to lead off DO SO. You lead off by taking 3-4 steps towards the next base. You move sideways (laterally) and you maintain your body in perfect balance by being centered---not leaning one way or another. The pitcher may try to pick you off and you need to be centrally balanced so you can decide to get back to the base or attempt to steal the next one. · Coach’s signal: Ø The 1^st or 3^rd base coach will signal you to steal. Ø Pay attention and steal when you are told. Ø If you are thrown out, and you didn’t hesitate, then it is the coach’s fault not yours. You did a good job. · Wild Pitch or Passed Ball: Ø You have a green light to steal the next base when a wild pitch or a passed ball occurs. You have two ways to determine if a pitch will be in the dirt. First, you can watch the ball’s flight and see if it will hit the dirt. Secondly, watch the catcher. If the catcher is good she will be setting up her body to block the pitch before it actually hits the dirt. If you are on 3^rd base and this occurs listen for a signal from the 3^rd base coach before you go home.
5	Slides	· YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO SLIDE EVERYTIME INTO 2^ND, 3^RD AND HOME UNLESS THE COACH TELLS YOU OTHERWISE!!! · Standard slides Ø Run hard and dig. Ø Keep your head down and focus on the base. Ø Start your slide about 8-10 feet from the base. Ø When sliding, face away from the ball for 2 reasons: ¨ If the throw is wild you will see it go into the outfield (stealing 2^nd or 3^rd) and you then have a chance to steal the next base also ¨ This protects your face from getting hit by the ball. If you do happen to get hit by the throw it’s much better on the leg, back or butt then the face. Ø As you go downward make sure that your knees are bent & that your legs and butt hit the ground first. Ø One leg is extended towards the base and the other curls in by bending your knee so that a “4 shape” results with one leg bent and tucked under the other. The preference is that the extended leg be the left leg and the curled leg be the right leg. This allows you to face the outfield more easily for the reasons given above. Ø The extended leg should not slam directly into the side of the base because this will abruptly stop you and could result in an ankle injury. Rather, let the extended leg “glide” over the base. This is tricky because the bottom side of your extended leg needs to be touching the base as it glides so that you are called safe by the umpire. Your leg can’t be so high that your other leg’s bent knee or butt is the first thing that touches the base! Ø Both arms need to be up in the air to provide balance. Stiff-arming the ground will hurt. · Pop-up slides Ø The purpose of this slide is to allow you to pop up immediately off the ground so that you can steal the next base. This is usually done when there is a wild throw that goes into the outfield OR the play was made at another base. Ø These slides are exactly the same as the standard slide discussed above with one important additional action. You need to push yourself up so that you are standing on the base at the end of the slide. Ø This is NOT done by bending your knees and pushing off the ground with both hands. Instead, you do this with the momentum of your slide. When you get to the base push off the ground with the ground-side arm. At the same time use the foot of your other leg, that’s on the “ground-side”, and push it against the base and propel yourself up. Ø Now, you can only do this if you see the wild throw or anticipate it because the “standard slide” has your leg tucked under the other leg in a “4 shape”. You will have no bag to push off of because your knee will be at the base and your foot will be tucked under the other leg. THEREFORE, you have to decide to do a Pop-UP slide beforehand. · Hook slides Ø Hook slides are when you slide “to the side” away from the ball rather than directly at the base. You do this when you expect a very close play. Ø In this slide, one leg sticks out to the side with a bent knee. Your foot is to the side rather than in front of you. There is only your foot/ankle area for the fielder to find so it is more difficult for you to be tagged out. The rest of your body is already passed the bag but your foot/ankle is ON the bag. Ø Slide on your butt and “hook” your leg so that your foot/ankle is the first thing to touch the base. Ø HOOK SLIDES ARE OF NO VALUE WHEN THERE IS A FORCE-OUT PLAY. They are valuable when you must be tagged to be out. · Back into a base Ø This is a special kind of slide that is headfirst. You can use this slide when you are close to getting thrown out by the catcher after a lead off the base. Also, if you turn a base too far you may have to scramble back to the base and this slide will help you. Ø This slide has you land on the front part of your body. You take the brunt of the impact from your chest to your upper legs (rather than your butt). Ø You stretch out the arm furthest away from the fielder & touch the base. Ø This gives the fielder a small target to tag (remember—this is for tag out situations only) and forces her to “sweep” her glove to find you. Ø As you slide turn your head AWAY from the ball. Ø Either call “time out” or make sure that you have a piece of your body touching the base at all times as you get up. The fielder will be looking to tag you out even if you aren’t in contact with the base for a split second.
6	Watching the Coaches	· 1^st base coach: The 1^st base coach will tell you whether to sprint through 1^st or make the turn. The coach has a much better view of the play than you do. Also, if there is a wild throw to 1^st, the coach also has a better view and can help you decide whether to go to 2^nd base or stay at 1^st. Lastly, listen to the coach for stealing signals. · 3^rd base coach: The 1^st base coach’s responsibility ends when you reach 2^nd base. When running from 1^st to 3^rd, keep your eyes on the 3^rd base coach—NOT the ball. The coach has a much better view of the play. As you approach 2^nd base (and are not sliding) look at the 3^rd base coach for a signal to proceed to 3^rd. Don’t wait until you have reached 2^nd base already---that will be too late because you probably started to slow down. Watch the coach for signals to go home. Make your turn wider getting to 3^rd rather than being wide between 3^rd and home. You want to have as direct a line to home as possible. That’s why it is better to be wider approaching 3^rd than after you’ve passed 3^rd.
7	Leading off 3^rd base	Ø You should always lead off, or take your legal steps, in FOUL TERRITORY. The batter may hit a line drive close to the line. If you are hit in fair territory THEN YOU ARE OUT. If you are hit in foul territory it just counts as a strike and you are safe. Ø If the catcher attempts to pick you off at 3^rd make sure that you get back to the base in FAIR TERRITORY. Your body in fair territory gives the catcher an additional obstacle to get around. Ø Pay attention to whether your teammate at the plate is a right or left-handed batter. If the batter is right-handed you should take more steps toward home than if the batter is left-handed. This is because a right-handed batter is in the way to the catcher and obstructs her vision. A left-handed batter provides the catcher a clear view down to 3^rd.
8	Tagging up	· Although tagging up may come from a signal by the coach, you should decide in your own mind when you will tag up, not if. · From 1^st or 2^nd base: Ø Make sure that the fly ball has been caught by the fielder (probably outfielder) BEFORE you leave the base. If you leave too soon then the other team merely has to touch the base (with the ball) for you to be out. They do not have to tag you. Ø You cannot tag up to a base if a runner already is on that base UNLESS SHE IS TAGGING UP ALSO. · From 3^rd base: Ø On any fly ball you should automatically return to 3^rd base even if you think the ball will land in the gap. If the ball does land in the gap you can easily score from a tag up position. If the ball is caught then you are ready to tag up rather than having to hustle back to 3^rd before you can run home. Ø Listen for a sign from your coach. Ø If the fly ball is down the left field line then put your right foot on 3^rd base and look over your right shoulder to see if the ball is caught. Ø If the fly ball is elsewhere in the outfield then put your left foot on 3^rd base and look over your left shoulder to see if the ball is caught.
9	Be careful of double plays	Always know how many outs there are. If you are not sure ask the coach. If there are 2 outs then you need to run hard as soon as the ball is hit whether it’s a pop-up, grounder or clean hit. If there are fewer than 2 outs you need to be careful that you don’t run into a double play that could have been prevented. · Infield pop-ups: Do not leave the base by more than 2-3 steps. Listen for the umpire to declare the Infield Fly Rule. If you do NOT hear this then you must be prepared to run to the next base if you are in a force-out situation and the ball is dropped. That is why you would be off the base at all by 2-3 steps with an infield pop-up. Otherwise, you are an easy target and need to stay on the base · Infield Fly Rule: This rule is only active if there are fewer than 2 outs & runners on 1^st and 2^nd OR bases loaded. When this is called the batter is automatically out and runners on base advance at their own risk. What this means is, if you are on 1^st or 2^nd base and the Infield Fly Rule is called, you DO NOT HAVE to run to the next base because the batter is out. If you feel you can make it to the next base (and another runner isn’t on the next base) then you are free to do so BUT the usual baserunning rules apply: You have to wait for the fly ball to be caught before you can leave the base. Therefore, most of the time we want you to stay on the base without moving. · Line Drives: This is the hardest hit to judge since they are travelling at a high rate of speed. Generally, you should take a 3-4 step jump but be prepared to go back to the base if it’s caught. You need to be well balanced and anticipate the need to go back to the base. If you just sprint to the next base and the line drive is caught you will be an easy double play out. · Short outfield fly balls: Listen to your coach. The rule of thumb, however, is that you should attempt to tag up on a short outfield fly ball ONLY if the location of the fielder is far away from the base you want to go to. For example, if you are on 3^rd base and the fly ball is hit to short right field then you have a good chance to tag up since it is still a somewhat far throw to home plate. But, if you are on 1^st base and the fly ball is to short left field or left/center field then you should NOT tag up because it is a short throw to 2^nd base.
10	Approaching Home Plate	· Every time you approach home plate you need to do so with a little extra effort. This is where the runs are scored and can make the difference in the game. You need to run hard KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE TO SLIDE. The umpire will be looking more closely at this play/slide than any other because it’s more important and because he is physically closest to home plate. YOU MUST SLIDE TO AVOID AS MUCH CONTACT AS POSSIBLE or you will be called out (THIS MEANS SLIDING INTO HOME). Remember, YOU OWN THE BASE PATH. If the catcher or other player is in your way you need to keep on going hard without slowing down. YOU OWN THE BASE PATH.