Coach Jims' BaseRunning Tips and Drills

Lead-Off Drill - One problem we have in youth baseball is getting the baserunner to come off of the base agressively as soon as the pitch crosses the plate. In our league you can't come off the bag until the ball is either put into play or caught by the catcher. To correct this we run an exercise requiring a pitcher, a catcher and a first baseman and one baserunner with batting helmet (at first base). The remaining players line up in foul territory to take their turn running. To begin the pitcher pitches to the catcher and the catcher makes a throw to first base to try to catch the baserunner coming off of the bag to go to second base. The object is for the baserunner to get as far as possible toward second base (but not to go to second) and then try to get safely back to first before the throw. We mark a line in the dirt at the farthest distance that each player gets to if they get back to first safely. That tells the player how far they can get off the bag and still get back during a regular game. We have a competition to see who can get the farthest. In order to get any distance at all they have to dive headfirst back to first base (which is legal in our league). Our aim is to get the players to come off the bags far enough to take advantage of any dropped balls by the catcher or to get the catcher to make an attempt at a throw-out (which results in an error about 50% of the time). It is also a good workout for the pitcher, catcher and first baseman. Its important that when you finish the competition to go back over each players mark so they have an idea how far to come off the bag.

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 outside foot (right) 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

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From Texas Sharks Website

Running to First

If the batter is using a good balanced swing and follow-through, he should be able to get out of the box in a smooth, quick manner. For right handed hitters the first step should be with the back foot (right foot), the opposite for the left handed batter. The first three steps should be short and quick. On the third or fourth step you may take a very quick peek to see if the ball is in the infield or not. If so, then run in a straight line to first base inside the running lane. You want to run through first base, not to first base. Do not slow down until you have crossed the bag. You will slow down by chopping your steps and decelerating You will want to look to the right side immediately after touching the bag to see if the ball has got by the first basemen, so that you can advance to second.

Rounding First Base

If on your quick peek you see the ball is through the infield, or if you hit a fly ball, you'll want to take what is called a banana curve approach to first. What that means is approximately halfway there you will begin to veer slightly outward and then comeback inward as you approach the bag (like a banana shape). You will want to try to hit the inside corner with your foot as you turn towards second. As soon as you realize that the ball is out of the infield, you should be thinking double. Make the ball determine if you have to stay at first. Most of the time, a double is determined by how the runner goes from home to first instead of first to second. And very importantly, listen to your first base coach.

Fly balls/Tagging Up

Runners on first; On fly balls to right, you want to go about 1/4 of the way to 2B, on fly balls to center, about 1/3 of the way, on fly balls to left, go about 1/2 of the way. You should be under control and watching the ball so that you can quickly turn and get back in the event the catch is made so that you are not doubled up.

Runners on Second; On fly balls that would appear to be catchable, go back to the bag so that you can tag-up. Watch the ball all the way and don't leave too early, or the other team may appeal. On ground balls to the right side, go to third, on ground balls to left side, advance to third on the throw, but make sure he makes the throw first.

Runners on third; On fly balls, go back to the bag so that you can tag-up. Watch the ball all the way and don't leave early. You generally do not want a large primary lead, but you do want a good secondary lead. Your primary and secondary lead should be taken in foul territory, so that if batted ball should hit you, you would not be out and it would merely be a foul ball. Your secondary lead should be a controlled but fast walking lead and should not stop until you see that the catcher has control of the ball. Do not start heading back to the bag until you see that the catcher has control. If the catcher does have control then quickly turn and head back to the bag in FAIR territory. This will prevent the catcher from getting a direct straight throw to the bag, and may result in the ball deflecting off of the runner, allowing him to advance home. If the ball gets by the catcher, your fast walking lead should allow the runner to advance home most of the time.

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. Hands are up and loosely clenched to avoid injury. Watch your foot into the base! Keep your head up for safety and balance. You will want to start your slide about 7-10 feet from the base. Takeoff can be from either leg. Stay low and throw your head back slightly to avoid hitting the knees too hard on the ground. After hitting the bag, both legs flex to give a chushion to the slide.

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! This is also great fun on a slip and slide!

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