Chapter 3. Base Running and Sliding in Baseball

Of all the baseball skills, running the bases or base running is the simplest to master. Unfortunatley, the teaching and practice of proper base running and sliding is often sorely neglected among amateurs.

As with many other aspects of baseball, the situation that develops after the ball is hit tells the runner what to do. If, for example, he is trying to beat out an infield roller, the runner's only concern is to get to 1st ahead of the throw. If the ball goes through the infield for a single, the runner wants to make a turn at the base. If the batter drives a pitch over the outfielder's head for a sure double he uses one running pattern; if it's a triple, he uses another. And if it looks like an inside-the-park homer, he might use still a different pattern.

Here are the techniques involved, starting with the attempt to beat a throw to 1st.

As the right hand batter hits the ball, his weight is on his front foot. To get started to 1st, he should drive off that foot, taking the first step with the right.

The left-hand hitter's weight is also on his front foot. He can usually cross over with his left to start toward 1st.

Whether right or left-handed, the batter starts down the line like a sprinter leaving the starting blocks. He takes one look at the ball, then concentrates on running. His weight is well forward, body as low as he can get it. His first steps are short and choppy with the feet fairly wide apart. As the runner gets about one-third the way down the line, he starts to straighten up and lengthen stride. He's erect at the half-way point and driving with full power.

When 1st base looms ahead, our runner should pretend that the finish line to his race with the ball is 15 feet on the other side of the bag. He should run "through" 1st, stepping on the base with either foot as he goes across.

The runner must avoid jumping at the base. He can't go forward any faster by going up. He must not slide, either, unless someone is attempting to tag him.

After crossing the bag, the runner should make a direct return to it. If any move is made toward 2nd-even a head-bob-the opposition can make a play on the runner and he might be tagged off base and called "out." Some managers advocate turning to the right after crossing the bag so there won't be any misunderstanding about what the runner has in mind. This is not always considered a good practice, however, as a runner will lose steps if there's an opportunity to go to 2nd. The important thing to remember is this:

Don't make a move to 2nd base unless you're going there!

The batter who cracks out a base hit wants to stretch it if he can. He also wants to draw a throw to 1st base and take advantage of a possible error.

To save the most number of steps and be in a good position to advance, this runner approaches 1st as any other, until he gets to a point some 15 to 20 feet in front of the base. Here, he makes a small dip to the right so that when he hits the bag, he will be headed straight for 2nd and not right field.

There is much dispute about how a runner should touch the bases as he circles them. Many managers and coaches say the runner should put the inside foot on the inside corner of the base, pivot left and cross over with the right to continue to the next base. Others say that in order to do this, the runner often has to break his stride. The best method, according to these managers, is for the boy to strike the bag with whichever foot comes up when he gets there.

Fig. 7	Fig. 8	Fig. 9
From left to right are running patterns for bluff to 2nd, or two-base hit; a triple, scoring run from second. Note that the dip to right is only used in Figs. 7 & 9

Whichever method is used, there is one thing that is more important than any other, for sure: touch the base! If you miss it, go back!

On two-base hits, the batter makes his turn at 1st just as he does for a single-with a small dip to the right. On a triple-a ball the batter knows is going to be a triple-the dip at 1st is ignored.

If, after leaving 2nd, a runner intends to round 3rd, or continue to the plate, he should again make the little dip some 15 to 20 feet in front of the base.

When a runner, however, is trying for an inside-the-park home run, he should run the bases in a tight circle, pivoting as much as he can at every base.

As a general rule, a base runner is "on his own" when the ball is in front of him. In other words, he-and not the coach-judges whether an attempt to advance should be made. Once the ball is in back of a runner, however, he should rely entirely on the instruction of the base coach. If a batter hits a ball into the right field corner, for example, he should look at the 3rd base coach as he approaches 2nd base and again as he leaves it. He should not look back at the ball!

		When trying for inside-the-park homer, run bases in tight circle
Fig. 10

Above all, a player should be taught to run hard and keep base running until he either arrives safely at a base, or has clearly been put out. Don't forget, too, that a batter has an oppor- tunity to run when:

1. The catcher drops a third strike.
2. "Ball Four" goes through the catcher. The ball is "in play" and, theoretically at least, the batter could circle the bases and score.

Sliding

Many young ball players hesitate to learn to slide because they are fearful of being hurt. Actually, the boy who slides correctly has learned a skill that helps prevent injury.

There are two ways to slide-head first and feet first. When a runner dives toward a base on his stomach, he goes straight in, or to one side and reaches for the base with a hand. It's not too difficult a slide, but it's hard on the stomach and not too efficient, except when used to avoid being picked off base by a pitcher.

Sliding feet first, on the other hand, takes a little practice and is a necessary skill for the ball player-amateur or professional. There are two basic methods:

1. The Hook Slide (or "fadeaway").

   This is the most popular and probably the most useful. The body goes well to the side of the base as one toe reaches for a corner, making a small target for the infielder's tag.

2. The Leg-under, or Bent-leg Slide.

   This slide is used mostly when a runner wants to go "straight in" to a base when base running. It also enables the runner to come quickly to his feet in the event the ball eludes the defense.

It's best for players to learn how to slide as soon as possible, for the earlier the years, the lighter and more supple the body. Most boys, if they wait too long to start sliding, will find that they can only slide on one side, which is a disadvantage.

To get the proper form for the Hook Slide, sit down with legs extended. Turn to the right so all the weight is on the right hip. Bend the left leg so that the calf is at right angles to the thigh.

The toe of that foot is the "hooking" foot.

Now then, raise the hands over the head and lower the trunk until the back touches the ground. Swing the right foot to the right slightly and raise it a few inches. There you have it-a Hook Slide to the right.

Try it on the other side, reaching for the corner of the bag with the toe of the right foot.

When making the Hook Slide, remember to:

Spread the weight out as much as possible-get the back down.

Keep the outside foot (the one that's not hooking the bag) off the ground! If you don't, the spikes are apt to catch in the dirt. The weight of the body sliding forward will then turn the ankle down and out, causing a severe sprain, or break.

When making any slide, don't jump at the base! S-1-i-d-e up to it.

Keep your hands up, too. If your hands strike the ground, you might tear the flesh or get a bad wrist sprain. If you have trouble keeping your hands high, by the way, pick up dirt in each hand when you get on base and hang on to it.

To get the form for the "Leg-under" slide, sit down again with the legs stretched out in front. Double the right leg under the left, so that the right shin faces the "base". Roll over on your right hip slightly. Raise the hands over the head.

If the play is going to be close and you plan to go straight into the base, get your back down and reach for the base with the left toe. (Opposite for opposite side.)

If you want to stop at the base, or intend to continue on, ride in on the bent leg until it touches the base. Let the top foot go over the base; bring it down on the other side and with a little upward surge of the body, you'll be on your feet again and ready to continue. (Some runners like to bring top foot down on middle of base.)

To get a better idea of what we're talking about, sit in the bent-leg position. Ask someone to grab one of your hands and pull you forward. You come naturally to your feet, as you will see.

Fig. 11	Fig. 12
Sketch at left shows a hook slide. Note that right foot is clear of ground; that hands are up; that left toe touches corner of bag. Other sketch illustrates bent-leg slide

"Don't Be a Woman!"

There's one absolute rule about base Running and sliding. The boy who forgets it is going to get hurt. If you're going to slide, slide. Don't start to slide then decide to stand up. As the saying goes-don't be a woman and change your mind.

If a play is being made on you at 2nd or 3rd, always slide. If you over-run the bag, you'll be tagged out. If you slow up so you won't over-run the bag, you'll also be tagged out. you can over-run home plate, of course. But don't try to go in standing up unless you have the throw clearly beaten and the catcher is obviously not going to try to tag you. When in doubt, always slide.

Boys who can only slide on the right (or left) side, should use a hand to tag the base. If, for instance, you are going into 2nd base to beat a throw from left field, the second baseman will leave the left side of the base open. If you can only slide on your right side, do so. But go to the 3rd base side of 2nd and grab the base with your right hand as you go by.

There are two places a boy can practice base running and sliding, at the beach or in a jumping pit used for track and field events. In either case, boys must avoid jumping at the base, a habit they can form easily in the pit or at the seashore.

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