Base Running Part 1: The Universals

Each year we revise and bring back a mini-series on base running. Each part is intended to help you become a better base runner. We’ll start in the batter’s box (just as you would as a runner after a batted ball). Over the next few weeks, we will talk about base running starting from each base on the diamond.  And, we’ll also talk about steals, lead-offs, and much more. Before we dive in, we’ll provide some context to this series and share some universal rules that apply for every base running situation.  

This series came out of a conversation between two KPB’s staff members. Both agreed that bad base running is an epidemic at every level. Base running flubs are common, even in the MLB. The jump from high school to college baseball may be the biggest change in the skill-level needed for base running. So, the speed of the game increases.  Decisions need to be made quickly and most players are coming from high school or travel ball programs. They may have only minimal base running instruction. We are here to do our part in making this transition a bit smoother. Reading this series will be a good first step (no pun intended) to help you become a better base runner. Let’s start with the universals, the rules that apply no matter where you are on the bases.  

Universals of Base Running  

ALWAYS know where the ball is  
Always know the situation (score, outs, position of the defense, speed of runners ahead of you, arm strength of the defense, weather/running conditions, etc.)  
Always look to take an extra base (the defense is trying to keep you to the bases you “deserve”)  
Anticipate the play before it happens  
Know what you have to do before you have to do it  
When in doubt, you want to be at 2nd base with 2 outs and 3rd base with less than two outs (if you can end up in one of these positions at the end of a play, you are still in good shape)  
Take a route on the base path that will allow you to run the shortest distance without having to slow down at any point along the way  

In the next article of the series, we share detailed guidelines to improve your base running in Out of the Box.