by Richard Todd, Webball Head Coach

I found myself recently needing to conduct a base-running clinic for a fairly high-level, high-school age team. Now, you would expect that by the time players got this far in their baseball "career", they would know how to run the bases properly. At least, I did. Especially given the amount of detailed information on the topic on this website.

Here's the catch... teen brains get rewired monthly (or so it seems). So the bottom line - for any age - is that base running reminders have to be covered each season, every season. Forget to do that, and the omission by the coaches will lead to mental errors by the players that can be as costly as physical errors.

What are some of the recent problems I've seen?

1Too Much Lead Off

Happens at both 1st and 3rd. Yes, a good aggressive primary lead followed by an even farther secondary lead is what every coach wants to see.

But there's a problem. The farther guys lead off, the more they tend to lean back towards the bag. In other words, the lead looks good, but the brain and body are thinking more about getting back safely than going forward.

Encourage a lead in which the hands remain low and loose dangling between hips that are balanced to move quickly in either direction.

2 Coming Up Too Soon

This happens mostly in stealing from 1st, either a straight steal or a "protected" steal (i.e. part of a hit-and-run or bunt play).

Acceleration power comes from the hips driving the upper leg. If you ever get a chance to see some old footage of Ricky Henderson stealing, see how low he stays, how much power is being transferred from hips to ground.

3 Looking The Wrong Way

A pet peeve of mine... base runners coming to and across 2nd who are watching the baseball in the outfield instead of turning to pick up the 3rd base coach.

I don't care how good a runner you are, you can't move forward as fast looking backwards or sideways. You can't judge distances or relative speeds (you vs the ball) while you are in motion. Please trust the coach.


4 The E-10 At 3rd Base

For those who don't get the reference, this is about errors by the coaching staff, usually in my experience the 3rd base coach. I know it's tough; I know you have only a split second sometimes to process a lot of information... flight path of the ball, outfielder's speed and then arm, runner's speed (going one base or two), alignment of cut-off/relay players, etc.

You can help yourself by knowing your players strengths and weaknesses... Will your runner react quickly to your instructions or delay? Will he cut the corner tightly at 3rd or need a wide turn? Can he sustain the speed for the final 60 feet? Does he slide well? Is your on-deck batter going to be in position to help your runner with his angle on home plate?

It also helps to learn as much as you can about the opponents. Not just arm strength, but also catcher position up the line, etc.

And you can help by being in the best position. The normal coaching box is a wonderful guideline and technically the only place you can be, but I have never seen a coached called for being out of the box. So get out past 3rd base to help your runner coming through second, and get way in towards home to help your runner rounding 3rd.

5 Poor Lead-Offs At 2nd

Several minor details and causes. When the runner does not block out the shortstop from sneaking behind him he has to be worried about both middle infielders.

If the runner can block the shortstop, then the 1st base coach won't be caught napping when the 2nd baseman loops out and creeps in casually from center field.

6 Not Waiting For The Call

I don't know why but I have seen runners walk off a base thinking they were already called out or that time was called, only to be surprised with a tag out. 

Here's the rule - When you believe you are safe and need to call time, say it twice and ask for confirmation by the umpire and your base coach. And if you think you are out, don't! Don't think that way. Stay on the base until an umpire stares you in the face and tells you you're out. Twice.