Base Running 101

The most important goal of every player, who “has the opportunity” to compete offensively against an opponent, is to get on base. Once you get "On Base" you have only one task and “that” one task is to safely move to the next base as aggressively, intelligently and instinctively as possible. Sounds simple, but it’s not.

Getting a Lead and Moving to the Next or Multiple Bases: Our Goal as a baseball team is to look like we are taking the extra base on every ball put in play, to look like we are stealing on every and that we will on every mishandled ball and on every ball thrown in the dirt. The goal, therefore, is for every Braswell Bengal baseball player to PRESENT himself as an athlete capable of running and/or stealing any base, on any and in any situation.

1. Never get off the base until you have received and know the offensive command or sign that was given.

2. Never get off the base until you are prepared to execute in any situation that occurs and make the appropriate adjustment once the play has been set in motion. Receiving "No Sign" does not mean you are not going to move to the next base or give you the platform to present yourself as an aggressive-less, unintelligent or instinctive-less base runner.

3. You should be able to get a 10-12 foot lead blindfolded and still be able to safely return to 1st, 2nd or 3rd base on any pick off play or / throw to the base you occupy. Always dive back to the back side of the base nearest to you and do not take your hand off the base until time is called or you have safely stood up with your foot on the base.

4. Only we know when we have put on an offensive play. Only we know the options we are willing to accept once a play has been called. You must know all of the offensive signs, understand the required sequence and timing to properly execute every offensive play and be willing to execute each play to the best of your ability. One example: LHP - when to steal on 1st movement and when not to steal/run until he has committed himself to Home Plate.

5. Once the pitcher has committed to home plate; work to athletically take a walking lead that ends with your right foot on the ground as the ball moves into the hitting area or the grass/dirt area in front of home plate on a delayed steal. Be athletic. Do not automatically retreat to your base after the pitch unless the catcher forces action. The extended secondary lead is used to set up the delayed steal and the steal on the catcher's throwback to the pitcher. Walking leads also set our base runners up to move on every ball thrown in the dirt or in any situation that puts a catcher in an unbalanced position to throw.

6. Leads at 2nd base with a runner on 1st base is different than the leads a base runner takes at 2nd base when 1st base is vacant. Work hard during practice to master the difference. Be athletic. Keep your eyes on the pitcher. Do not let movement or noise from the 2nd baseman or SS cause you to retreat, especially in situations.

7. Learn to watch the ball off the bat and what to do when the ball is at different angles in the INF, especially at 3rd base, and how balls react in the wind each day. An average base runner looks to see how the opposing teams OF plays each hitter, how quick they get rid of the ball and what kind of arm strength they have at each position.

8. Always tag when a routine Fly Ball is hit to the OF or anywhere in the INF when you are a runner on 1st or 3rd base. Every time this situation occurs we will execute our standard 1st and 3rd steal unless a specific STOP sign has been given in advance. Always know that this situation is LIVE and requires no sign or signal.

9. Sprint to 1st base on every to set up the 1st and 3rd early steal with a MO3B. Look to see where the 2nd baseman and SS are as you get close to 1st base.

10. Never run into a tag! Always get in a when there are other runners on base so they can move into . Drop and roll away from the player seeking to tag you at the last second.