BASE RUNNING Between Home & First Beginning players will usually not know to run to first base when the ball is hit. Have players line up at home plate. One at a time swing a bat and drop it safely as if a hit. They then become a runner and run to first base watching the coach. If signaled to run to second base they round the bag and go to second. With each practice add something new. This is a great tool to teach: running through the base rounding a base tagging the inside corner of the base watching and listening to the base coach Race the Clock Using a stopwatch, time how fast each player can run from home to first base, home to second base, home to third base or all the way around the bases. Have base coaches directing and cheering them on. Relay Races Split the team in half, with one group of players behind home plate and other half behind second base. Give the first player in each group a ball (this will be the "baton" for the relay race). At "GO!" the first player from each team begins running the bases with ball in hand. After making a complete lap around the bases (back to each kid's starting point), that player hands the ball off to the next player in line, who continues the relay race. First group of players to finish the race wins. Remembering Positions Line your team up on the first base side of home plate for a base -running drill. Before each player runs, ask them where a different base or field position is located. For example, ask the player "where is center field"? After a correct answer, or a simple point of the finger toward center field, the player can run the bases. Let each player have one or more turns. This will help them remember where all positions are located and will help later when positioning your players for games. They think running bases is fun. In baseball, base running is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat. In general, base running is a tactical part of the game with the goal of eventually reaching home to score a run. The goal of batting is generally to produce base runners, or help move base runners along. Runners on second or third base are considered to be in scoring position since a normal hit, even a single, will often score them. Part of the goal of a runner and a batter is to get the runner into scoring position. Running the bases Pick-off attempt on runner (in red) at first base A runner who is touching a base which he is entitled to occupy may not be tagged out. Runners may attempt to advance from base to base on any fair ball that touches the ground. When a ball is hit in the air (i.e., a fly ball) and caught by the defending team, runners must return and touch the base they occupy—called tagging up—after the ball is first touched by a fielder. Once they do this, they may attempt to advance at their own risk. On a ball that touches the ground in fair territory, if there is a force, runners are required to run. Base runners may attempt to advance at any time while the ball is alive, even before or while the pitcher is throwing a pitch. The catcher—or pitcher, in lieu of delivering the pitch—often tries to prevent this by throwing the ball to one of the infielders in order to tag the runner. This pick-off attempt is usually unsuccessful in tagging out the runner but is effective in keeping the runner closer to the base. If the runner is tagged out while diving back to the base, it is called a pickoff. If the runner attempts to advance to the next base but is tagged out before reaching it safely, he is caught stealing. A successful attempt by the runner is called a stolen base. If a pitch gets away from the catcher, runners may also try to advance. This may be a wild pitch, if the pitcher is held responsible for the ball getting away, or a passed ball if the catcher is deemed to be at fault. Sometimes the defending team will ignore a runner who is trying to steal a base; in this case a runner is not credited with a steal, and the base is attributed to defensive indifference. 4 of the Best Base Running Drills 1 0 To be a well-rounded baseball player, you must develop and practice your base running skills. As my Guide To Base Running Strategy states, because rounding the bags happens almost every play, it is critical to allot time each practice to base running. To be a talented base runner, you must first recognize when the defense makes a mistake, then be able to capitalize on the opportunity. Develop your team's base running skills with the following four drills. Each base running drill can be practiced individually, in small groups, or as a team—to incorporate a unified base running mentality. Base Running Drills 1. Ground Ball Reads Anytime a player can eliminate the need for a sacrifice bunt to preserve an out, it's a huge advantage for the offense. Consider the benefit for your team if you habitually advanced from first base to third through a series of steals. The Drill: The drill begins with a runner at first, taking a conservative lead. The coach feeds himself the ball and hits it toward centerfield. When the coach feeds himself the ball—the toss serves as the pitch—the runner takes a secondary lead. Once the ball is hit, the runner reacts to the ball by sprinting to second base, while keeping his eye on the ball and the fielder. Before arriving at second base, the runner should have already made a decision on whether to advance to third. As a rule of thumb, continue to third base if you reach second before the outfielder has the ball. Keep in mind: it's far easier to slam on the brakes than turn on the jets. If the fielder has the ball, simply round the bag and watch the throw, ready to take advantage of a throwing error. 2. Dirtball Reads When a pitcher throws a ball in the dirt, take advantage of the opportunity by stealing an extra base. If a ball skips away from the catcher, runners must take advantage of the situation by advancing. The trouble lies with in-between balls, those that stray out of the batter's box but not out of the dirt circle. This is where a little anticipation comes in handy. Know the count, the situation, where the other runners are and what they may be thinking. If it's a breaking ball count (0-2, 1-2, even 1-1), expect a ball in the dirt and take an extra step toward the next base. The Drill: This drill should be performed with a loaded infield and any number of runner combinations. The runners should start at any base in the infield. The coach short hops the ball to home plate, so the catcher, forced to block the ball, allows the runners time to read the situation and quickly decide whether to advance to the next base. The coach should keep the runners honest by mixing in strikes. 3. Tennis Ball Drop Obviously, there is no better way to improve your stealing skills than to face a pitcher practicing his pickoff moves. However, this opportunity isn't always available. When a pitcher isn't available, use the Tennis Ball Drop drill to improve your reaction time. (For more drills to improve reaction time, head to: Reaction Time With Longhorn Baseball.) The Drill: With a player on the pitcher's mound holding a tennis ball, the runner takes a lead off first base. The player releases the tennis ball, triggering the runner's break for second base. Whether the runner runs the full distance to second base, the first ten feet, or halfway, it doesn't matter, since the first few steps are most important. The player on the mound should vary his release time to eliminate any chance for the runner to time up the pitch. 4. Resistance Steal Breaks When it comes to stealing, your first step is your most important. This drill can be done with a tennis ball, a live pitcher or verbal signals. The Drill: The runner starts by taking a normal lead off first base. Instead of balancing his weight on both feet equally, the runner should exaggerate his lean toward second base by placing more weight on his right foot. A partner standing to the right of the runner place his hands on the runner's forward leaning (right ) shoulder. The runner should feel somewhat unbalanced. Once in this position, the partner lets go, then pushes the runner forward, propelling him into a sprint. This forces the runner to run fast enough to keep his balance. (Check out 5 Tips on How to Run Faster.) This drill makes the runner explode out of the gate toward second base. Again, the distance you run can vary between the first ten feet to the entire distance. Just make sure to concentrate on a good start. Baseball Base running Drills http://www.qcbaseball.com/drills/baserunning-drills.aspx Drill: No Defense Purpose: This drill allows players to work on many different base running situations.