By: K. Vilhaua

Often times you hear coaches discuss the importance of “the little things”. In softball, or in any sport for that matter, coaches and players utilize the process of breaking the sport down into small parts. We break games into small segments – one pitch at a time, one out at a time, win the inning, etc. Running the bases is a major component of our game. With so many intricacies to focus on, base running is a skill that can be broken down, taught, and perfected by even the least skilled member of your team. If done properly and efficiently, good smart base running may assist as a difference maker in winning games. The best part about this skill is that anyone can do it and do it well – even the slowest runner on your team. Below you will find some of the more important base running techniques and ideas.

Each day at practice we utilize seven constants – skills that we have determined must be practiced and perfected everyday. Among these seven constants is base running. Each day at practice we pick out some aspect of base running and work on it. One day we may simply work on a first step out of the box. A quick first step out of the box could be the difference between an infield base hit or a routine ground out. Next we will progress onto running through first base properly. We teach our student-athletes after contact and their quick first step (about three to four feet down the line), to peek (not stare or glare) at where the ball is. This way the athlete can make an educated decision about what her next move will be. If it is a base hit that has left the infield she is looking to make a turn at first, whereas she will look to run through the front of the bag hard on a routine ground ball. Notice that I mentioned running through the front of the bag – the obvious choice as 60 feet is closer and will take less time to get to than say 60.2 feet. Though it may seem like an insignificant detail, we all know that softball is a game of inches. As we run through the bag, we imitate a sprinter finishing a race projecting our shoulders forward. Though the umpires are trained to see the foot and hear the ball in the glove, a forward lean through the bag may appear as though we’ve beaten a throw. The next step that we take may or may not be legal at your level, however if it is it can be a great tool to use. We run to at least the grass (down the first baseline) after a safe call, turn around and slowly walk back toward the bag all the while looking for a vacated second base. The ball is still considered live until we re-establish contact with first base (this may be where rules in respective associations differ). Often you will see the middle infielders giving outs to their teammates leaving the base wide open, a pitcher not paying attention, etc. and if this is the case we read it as we approach the area close to the first base bag and immediately break for second base. A good time to look for this play would be after an infield error is made or after a team has just gotten the lead out at second base in a sacrifice bunt situation. I believe this play was originated years ago at the University of Washington so I must give credit where credit is due.

While running the bases we do several drills to ensure that our athletes are rounding the bag properly. Anytime we round properly, we are shaving time off allowing ourselves to advance as far as possible. A good round may beat out a close tag play as it is cutting the distance traveled between Point A and Point B. Spend time teaching athletes how to round the bag properly – ideally one is looking to hit the inside corner of the bag with her left foot after making a banana looking turn 10-15 feet or so before contacting the bag. This will ensure an easy pivot and turn en route to the next destination.

We will also spend a considerable amount of time on taking proper leads. The rocker step is utilized at first and second base while the sprint start is used at third. Explain to your athletes that the rocker step is merely a timing mechanism to get the best possible jump off the pitchers motion. It always baffles me when I see base runners tag up using the rocker step since it is setting a runner a step further away from her destination. Since we are not looking to get a large jump at 3B, we don’t feel the rocker step is necessary. We are sure to take the same lead on every pitch, whether we are stealing or not. A fun goal we have is to get the opposing team bench to yell “going” on a lead. We have our athletes set up with their left foot on the back corner of the bag, using the bag as a push off device, with her right foot behind her left (but not directly behind the bag – this eliminates a possible trip over the slightly elevated bag). When the pitcher reaches nine o’clock in her windup, or when her back heel lifts we are leaving with our right foot. As the pitcher comes around to her downswing, the timing will match up so that your lead is begun on the release of the pitch. We take a few hard steps with our head down and make it look as though we are realistically firing it up to steal every pitch. When taking a lead at second base, we are looking to get as far off the base as the defender in front of us will allow. If a team is utilizing a second baseman to try to pick you off, work on immediately taking off for third once the ball is thrown behind you. It will take two good throws and a tag to get you out and remember you are already at least 10 feet closer to the next base!

There are so many areas to cover in this simple aspect of the game. Some other portions of the skill that we practice include properly tagging up, when to tag up vs. when to go half way, breaking on balls hit behind you on the ground (we do this as a test for who has better instincts, who can afford to take chances, etc.), sliding, diving, running a good offensive 1st and 3rd, how to stay in rundown, and the list goes on.

I thoroughly enjoy teaching this aspect of the game to our athletes because as I stated above, I feel this is a skill that people can learn without an advanced skill level or without needing to run a 2.5 home to first.

Should you wish to discuss any of the above mentioned information or have any questions, I welcome your inquiries. I can be reached at kvilhaua@stjohns.edu.