Base Running Rules
Risk vs. Reward
1 Read the Situation ★
Understand when to be aggressive and when to play it safe. For example, if we are down by six runs, do not try to steal third or take the extra base.
2 Two-Out Aggression
In general (but not always, as explained in the next two rules), you can be more aggressive with two outs because you are less likely to prevent the chance of a big inning by potentially making the third out.
3 Never Make the First or Third Out at Third Base ★
If you're on second base, you're already in scoring position. Trying to advance to third adds only a marginal advantage, so it's not worth the risk of getting thrown out if that out would be either the first or third out of the inning. This principle has a practical effect on tagging up. Say you're on second and a fly ball is caught. You should be more willing to tag up and try for third if that catch is the first out of the inning than if there was already one out before the catch.
4 Station to Station ★
If we are down by multiple runs in the final inning, you need to be 100% certain you can make it to the next bag because there is no upside to being aggressive until the tying run is on base. We will remind each other of this rule by saying "station to station." This rule stops applying when we are trailing by one, and you represent the tying run, in which case you can be slightly more aggressive. Here is a real-life example of this situation: This Base Running Mistake Ends the Game
5 Don't Kill an Inning
Making an unforced first out of an inning anywhere on the bases is an absolute inning-killer.
6 Steal on 3-2 Counts ★
If you are fast and on first base, you should be stealing with a 3-2 count, regardless of how many outs there are, unless the score is lopsided or the catcher has a cannon (like the Spinners catcher). Stealing in these situations carries less risk because the pitcher has to throw a strike to the batter, who hopefully gets a good pitch to hit or takes ball four.
7 It's OK to Be Conservative
If you don't feel confident on the base paths, it's completely fine to be conservative when you're on. Being overly aggressive leads to more damaging outcomes than being overly careful because cautiousness always means the next batter will get an opportunity to drive you in.
Strategy
8 Don't Swing on a Good Jump ★
If you have no strikes as the batter and you notice a base stealer gets a good jump, don't swing. You can also consider faking a bunt to distract the defense.
9 Consider Stealing on the First Pitch
If you intend to steal, it's often a good strategy to go on the first pitch because the batter shouldn't be swinging and it sometimes surprises the pitcher.
10 Fake Steals
When on first, it's often useful to fake a steal by shortening your lead, then taking a few hard strides toward second (as long as you can get back to the base) to move the defense around. This is especially helpful when a right-handed batter is up who can hit to the opposite field while the second baseman is covering the base. Just don't do this with no strikes because the batter might think you are actually stealing and take a hittable pitch.
11 First-and-Third: Runner on First
As a runner on first base in first-and-third situations with less than two outs, you are almost always stealing, unless we are trailing by multiple runs in the final inning and we are moving station to station. If there are two outs, only steal if you have a high chance of making it safely, taking into account the catcher's arm strength. You can also stop in the base path once the ball is thrown to second to try to score your teammate. Make sure to consider if the speed of the runner on third base would allow him to score if the opposing team cuts the ball off and throws home.
12 First-and-Third: Runner on Third
As the runner on third base in first-and-third situations, you need to make a snap read as to whether the ball is thrown all the way to second before attempting to score. If you see a middle infielder creep in to cut the ball off, stay on third.
13 Obstruction in Rundowns
If you're in a rundown and notice a fielder is in the base path, run into him to try to get the umpire to call interference.
14 No First-to-Third on Passed Balls
None of us are fast enough to go first to third on a passed ball.
15 The Contact Play ★
If you are on third with no outs and a ground ball is hit to an infielder playing in, stay on third to give the next batter an opportunity to drive you in. If there is one out, try to score immediately on contact, forcing the infielder to make a throw home. Do not get caught halfway and get in a rundown under either scenario.
16 Strong Secondary Lead on the Contact Play
If the Contact Play is on, make sure you get a strong secondary lead (and bolt back to third if the catcher receives the ball). We saw why in the World Series: Watch the clip
Technique
17 Peek In When Stealing ★
When stealing, peek in toward the batter after a few strides so you know whether you need to get back to the base if the ball is hit in the air, OR the ball is hit through the infield and you can take an extra base. We have been doubled off numerous times on simple fly balls because we didn't do this. This video explains this situation well for both the defense and offense: You Should Do THIS As A Base Runner When You Steal!
18 The Vault Steal
As someone who steals bases, I am personally a fan of the vault steal. Learn how to do it here: Vault Steal Tutorial
19 Aggressive Secondary Leads
Your secondary leads should be aggressive off the base but equally as aggressive back to it. How to Take a Secondary Lead
Knowing Your Opponent
20 Scout the Arms
Have a sense of how strong the arms of the players are on the opposing team, especially their catcher, and if he likes to back pick. Mori on the Bombers likes to throw behind runners, for example.
21 Watch for Trickery
Watch out for trickery. For instance, pitchers on the Angels like to pretend they are working from the windup with runners on base before attempting a pickoff. I have not seen a team attempt a hidden ball trick, but be aware of that possibility and call it out if you see it.
22 First-and-Third Defense Tendencies
In first-and-third situations, have a sense of what the opposing defense likes to do.
23 Pitcher Delivery Speed
Take into account how quickly a pitcher delivers the ball to the plate. O'Leary on the Thunder, for example, has a very quick move home, making it harder to steal.
24 Catcher Scouting Report
Based on last season, the following teams are those with catchers adept at controlling the run game: Spinners, Bombers, Senators, Expos, and Irish. We can be more aggressive against the Thunder, Angels, A's, Bison, and Bandits until proven otherwise. But of course, watch the catcher's warmup throw down to second to assess his arm strength.
Baseball Fundamentals
25 Ground Ball Reads from Second
If you are on second with no one else on base, and the batter hits a ground ball toward an infielder, you always advance to third if the ball is hit behind you/to your left. Stay put or wait until the infielder throws if the ball is hit in front of you/to your right.
26 Ball Past the Pitcher
Make sure a ground ball gets past the pitcher if you want to advance while on second or third when there's no force.
27 Fly Ball Positioning
As a general rule, you are supposed to go about halfway to the next base when a fly ball is hit, but you should adjust how far you go down the line depending on how deep the ball is. For example, if you're on first, and the ball is crushed into the left-center gap, you can likely go all the way to second and still have time to get back if it's caught.
28 Full Count Pickoff Awareness
When you are automatically stealing with two outs and a full count, be entirely certain the pitcher is delivering the ball home. Pitchers often attempt a pickoff in these situations because they know you're stealing.
29 Advance During Rundowns
If a runner in front of you gets in a rundown, try to advance as far as you can while your teammate tries to stay in the pickle as long as possible.
30 Get Back on Line Drives ★
Don't just freeze on a low line drive, head back to the base. Real-life example: Base Running - Back On the Line Drive
31 Copy the Runner Ahead of You
If you are on first and there's a runner on second, you copy what he does. If he gets off the base on a fly ball, you do the same. If he tags, you tag and read the play to see if you can make it to second. If he steals, you steal.
32 Use Your Eyes vs. the Base Coach
If you can see where the ball is (e.g., you are rounding second and the ball is down the left field line), it is faster for you to make your own read as to whether to take the next base than it is to pick up the base coach. If you can't see the ball, always listen to the base coach.
33 Avoid Interference on Double Plays
Slide or get out of the baseline when the opposing team is turning a double play to ensure you are not called for interference.
34 Walks Are Gold
Walks are usually as good as hits — get on base any way you can.
35 No Excuse for Pickoffs
There is no excuse for getting picked off if you do not intend to steal.
36 Shorter Lead Against Lefties
Make your lead off of first base substantially smaller when a lefty is on the mound.
Umpires
37 Don't Argue Bang-Bang Plays
Please don't argue on bang-bang plays. As the runner, it always feels like you are safe, even if the call can go either way.
38 Ump Positioning Reality
Many of the umpires are old and out of shape, and therefore will not put themselves in a position to make good calls. If the ball beats you to a base, you will likely get called out even if you get your hand or foot in before getting tagged.
Effort and Focus
39 SLIDE! ★
We have been called out too many times because we didn't slide into a bag or dive back on a pickoff attempt. You get to the base faster and reduce the chance of injury.
40 Run Hard with Two Outs
There should be no hesitation when running hard on contact with two outs, but that doesn't mean you should run into an out. Example: Watch this example
41 Always Be Prepared ★
ALWAYS run hard, know how many outs there are, and think about what you should do if the ball is hit on the ground or in the air.
Base Coaching and Communication
42 Preventing Back Picks
The first base coach is responsible for ensuring a runner on first doesn't get back-picked, and the third base coach is responsible for ensuring runners on second and third don't get back-picked.
43 Clear Stop Signals
As a base coach, you should put one hand up and point with your other hand to the base you want a runner to stop at to avoid any confusion. This video explains why: Is This Base Runner's or 3rd Base Coach's Fault?
44 On-Deck Batter Slide Signal
When a runner is trying to score, the on-deck batter or a runner who has already scored on the same play is responsible for gesturing if he needs to slide, which requires moving into the runner's eye line.
45 Specific Slide Signals
On any close play, the third base coach or player guiding the runner home should wave to get down and angle them to the correct side of the bag/plate.
46 Say "STAY," Not "NO"
Yelling "NO" from the bench sounds like "GO." "STAY" works better.
47 Verbal Steal Signals ★
We may establish visual signs down the road, but for now, if you hear the word "line," that is your cue to steal. Examples of this might be "keep the line moving, [batter's name]"; "move the line"; etc.
48 Green Light ★
If you are confident in your baserunning and understand the guidelines above, you have the green light to steal when the situation presents itself.
49 Constant Communication
Base coaches should be constantly reminding runners of all the rules above, tailored to the situation. Most mistakes can be prevented by good communication.
The best teams in our league do not make unforced errors on the base paths. Let's aspire to be a great base running team.