Base Running Drills

Base Running Drills

1.      Home to First Base – Routine Ground Ball:

·         Place a hitter at each base – each of the 4 bases represents home plate.

·         Hitter takes Game-like swing and runs full speed to 1B on Coach’s command.

·         Hitter find ball after 2 - 3 strides

·         Stretch out strides

·         Run full speed through 1B and approximately 10 feet beyond 1B.

·         Look to right for over throw after crossing 1B.

2.      Ground Ball Base Hit To Left Field:

·         Hitter takes Game-like swing and runs full speed to 1B on Coach’s command.

·         Find Ball after 2 – 3 strides.

·         Start to “Banana” or Round out early to improve angle to round 1B.

·         Hit front left corner of 1B bag with right foot.

·         Round 1B bag hard to put pressure on the Outfielder.

·         Get back to bag if Ball is fielded cleanly and throw is accurate.

3.      Line Drive Base Hit to LF:

·         Find Ball after 2 – 3 strides.

·         Think Double out of the Box!

·         Start to “Banana” or Round out early to improve angle to round 1B.

·         Accelerate throw 1B.

·         Round 1B aggressively and put pressure on the OF.

·         Take direct line to 2B and go about 1/3 the distance (30 ft).

·         Be ready to react to a bobble or bad throw by OF.

 4.      Line Drive to LF – OF Bobble:

·         Remember – these are Drills.

·         Find Ball after 2 – 3 strides.

·         Think Double out of the Box!

·         Start to “Banana” or Round out early to improve angle to round 1B.

·         Accelerate throw 1B.

·         Round 1B aggressively and put pressure on the OF.

·         Take direct line to 2B and go about 1/3 the distance (30 ft).

·         Always put pressure on the OF.

·         After an Aggressive turn, hesitate and GO on Coach’s command.

·         If OF Bobbles Ball – GO!

5.      1^st to 3^rd – Object - Get Runner to 3B with less than two Outs:

·         Start the Drill with runners on each base – all bases for the drill are 1B.

·         Check Depth of Outfielders.

·         Know the Arm Strength of OF.

·         Take an aggressive secondary lead off 1B.

·         React to 3B Coach’s direction for slide.

·         Keep hands up on slide into 3B.

6.      Second Base to Home – 1 Out:

·         Runner must take lead in the base line

·         Take aggressive secondary lead.

·         Pick up 3B coach for direction.

·         Start to Round Out early to improve angle to Home.

·         Slide to back side of home if catcher not blocking plate.

·         Slide by the plate and reach back with hand to touch plate as you slide by if catcher is blocking the plate.

 

7.  Second to Home – 2 Outs:

·         Lead Off deeper in the base line 2 – 3 steps back.

·         Pick up 3B Coach.

·         Take a walking lead after Primary Lead.

·         Pick up 3B Coach.

·         Slide to back side of home if catcher not blocking plate.

·         Slide by the plate and reach back with hand to touch plate as you slide by if catcher is blocking the plate.

8.     Dirt Ball – Runner on 1B:

·         Coach or Pitcher throw ball in dirt to catcher.

·         Always be alert for ball in dirt.

·         Always take secondary lead anticipating ball in the dirt.

·         Go immediately after reading dirt ball.

9.    Dirt Ball – Runner on 2B:

·         Coach or Pitcher throw ball in dirt to catcher.

·         Always be alert for ball in dirt.

·         Always take secondary lead anticipating ball in the dirt.

·         Runner already in scoring position – Must be sure you can advance.