Instructional Friday: Base Running

Instructional Friday: Base Running

INSTRUCTIONAL FRIDAY 1/4/19
BASE RUNNING

Players wanting to bring value to themselves by making their team better should look no further than finding ways to help the team score more runs. Working on base running skills can go a long way towards improvement in that area. Of course, getting faster can be a key element to enhancing a player’s ability to round the bags. But the development of sound base running instincts and techniques by having awareness and efficiency in routes can maximize player potential.

The skills of emphasis here will largely focus on getting to each base with that efficiency and being cognizant of the situation to determine routes, bag access, breaks and awareness of the ball in relation to defensive positioning and execution. Each situation is followed by the most prioritized skills with a drill setting to support.

To execute the following drills, a coach will be hitting fungos to varied locations with runners responding as determined by defensive execution.  If not enough players are available to supply the needed defensive positions, use barrels or buckets to simulate positioning and have base runners assume likely results while reading the hit ball.  A second coach in the third base box  is necessary for the second and third phases of this drill to communicate with the baserunner.

Going to FIRST BASE

Skill

  1. Find the ball … Players must know where the ball is hit and how the defense responds with a quick glance out of the box.
  2. Take the best route … Balls that are down and stay in the infield require a route through the bag; those that get into the outfield demand a challenge turn.
  3. Pressure the throw … When running through the bag runners should expect the overthrow and determine opportunities to advance. With the ball in the outfield, the runner should insure it is secured by the defense all the way back into the infield.

Drill

  • Defenders needed:  1B, 2B, SS, LF
  • Runner’s start is in appropriate batter’s box.
  • Coach fungos balls to left side
  • Fungos should vary from ground balls to fly balls & be routine plays or base hits
  • Runners read balls out of box and perform appropriately.

Going to SECOND BASE

Skill

  1. Find the ball (and coach) … Players must know the defensive positioning, OF arm strength, and speed & depth of ball. Once the break is made they must get cues from SS positioning and/or seeing the coach to determine decisions at 2B.
  2. Take the best route … Balls that stay in the IF will require routes straight into the bag. Balls into the OF call for a slight “banana” prior to approach to create an efficient angle to 3B.
  3. Access the bag … On balls that stay in the IF the runner needs to slide straight into the bag.  Balls in the OF need to have the runner strike the inside of the bag and accelerate if being signaled to advance to 3B.  This is where the best base runners show instincts as they are able to anticipate this opportunity when the ball is at a distance from the RF even on a single.

Drill

  • Defenders needed:  1B, 2B, SS, RF
  • Runner’s start at 1B  with a lead (trigger a secondary lead on command)
  • Coach fungos balls to right side
  • Fungos should vary from ground balls to fly balls & routine to base hits
  • Runners read balls on the break

Going to THIRD BASE

Skill

  1. Establish the lead  … Players can influence the defensive positioning in the middle infield with aggressive leads at 2B.  Keeping eyes on the pitcher while listening for the 3B coach to communicate simple information can pressure the defense to “give up” its positioning to hold the runner.
  2. Read the ball … Players should know their team’s rules for reads at 2B.  Routinely they should look to advance on balls down to the right side and through on balls to the left side.  Balls that stay up to the right side may allow for a tag or a decoy, while those to the left usually require a release based on depth and arm of the outfielder.
  3. Attack the route … When accessing 3B take the bag with the intent to score.  Pay attention to the coach’s communications upon approach and read the visual cues (arm waving or “stop”).

Drill

  • Defenders needed:  1B, 2B, SS, RF (a pitcher added here can allow for work on leads)
  • Runner’s start at 2B  with a lead (trigger a secondary lead on command)
  • Coach fungos balls to either left or right side
  • Fungos should vary from ground balls to fly balls & routine to base hits
  • Runners read balls on the break

Remember, the team that scores the most RUNS always WINS the game!