"Coach Dunns Quick Pitches" -- By Coach Jack Dunn

YOU CAN'T STEAL FIRST BASE... BUT YOU CAN TRY! PART I

Running Home to First Base

Once the batter makes contact with the baseball and it is a fair ball, he becomes a base runner.

The batter/runner has two possible approaches to first base. The approach he chooses depends upon where the ball is hit.

1. Ground Ball to an Infield – The batter/runner runs straight to first base in an attempt to beat the infielders throw.
2. Ball Hit to the Outfield – The batter/runner rounds first base and is in position to advance another base or bases should the opportunity present itself.

Ground Ball to the Infield

Because most infield ground balls result in extremely close plays at first base, the batter/runner must get down the first base line as quickly and efficiently as possible too improve his chances of being safe. Because most plays at first base are so close they are often referred to as Bang! Bang! plays.

When teaching the fundamentals of running from home to first base the following points should be emphasized.

Out of the Batter's Box

Being safe or out at first base on a ground ball to the infield can often be to traced to a good or bad start out of the batter's box. A quick start out of the batter's box is the result of a good follow through after hitting the ball. A good follow through transfers the body weight onto the hitter's front foot, which allows the first step to be with the rear foot.

Initial Step Out of the Batter's Box

1. Right-Handed Hitter – The initial step is taken with the right foot.
2. Left-Handed Hitter – The initial step is taken with the left foot.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, therefore, the hitter's initial step out of the batter's box should be directly toward first base and he should run this line. Some left-handed hitters are guilty of taking their initial step directly toward the pitcher's mound. This wastes time and increases the distance the hitter must run to first base. This malady rarely, if ever, plagues the right-handed hitter. Be sure that your left-handed hitters step directly toward first base when taking their initial step out of the batter's box.

The hitter leaves the batters box with an aggressive driving half-step with the rear foot. The second step can be a near full stride and as momentum is gained the full running stride can be achieved.

The batter/runner must now focus on first base and not run watching the ball. Watching the baseball is a major base running fault of many players. It is an absolute No! No! Not only is the batter/runner's speed reduced but also the chance of not stepping on first base is greatly increased.

Run to a Point Beyond First Base

This forces the runner to across first base at full speed. Young players often "run to the base" and as a consequence have a tendency to slow-up prior to reaching the base... a costly mistake.

Rule of thumb should be – Run to a point five or six steps beyond first base.

Quick Glance

When balls are hit directly to the shortstop second baseman or first baseman, the batter/runner can easily see the ball by using his peripheral vision. No turning of the head is necessary.

On balls hit, to the shortstops right toward third base, a quick glance to find the ball may be necessary. The quick glance enables the batter/runner to alter his approach to first base should the ball go through to the outfield.

A quick glance means a quick turning of the head, chin to left shoulder. This quick glance is all that is necessary to locate the ball. The quick glance will have little or no negative impact on the runner's speed to first base.

Remember "No Staring Allowed!" As previously mentioned, staring at the ball should be avoided.

When to Glance In

The quick glance-in should be taken on the third or fourth step out of the hitter's box. It is easier for the batter/runner to "glance-in" when his right foot is forward and the left foot is back during the running process. This usually occurs on the right-handed batter's third step and the left-handed batter's second step out of the batter's box.

It is not necessary to "glance–in" on balls that are topped (swinging bunts) or other slowly hit balls to the left side of the infield.

Summary:

On balls that are hit out of the batter/runner's vision, the batter/runner must glance-in, find the ball and then visually pick up first base making whatever approach to first base is appropriate... i.e. running through first base or rounding first base.

The Running Lane

The batter/runner is out when in running the last half distance from home plate to first base (45 feet) while the ball is being fielded to first base, runs outside the three-foot restraining line (to the right) or inside the foul line (to the left) and in the umpire's judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder making the throw to first base.

Exception: The batter/runner may go outside these lines to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball. The batter/runner is considered outside this three-foot lane if either or both feet are outside the lines. This situation usually occurs when the ball is fielded in the area in front of home plate and the subsequent throw is made to first base. Be sure your players understand the RULE!... 'Both offensively and defensively!'

Crossing First Base

Touch the Base: This is the number one rule in base running. Regardless of how obvious it is that the runner is out... Step On The Base!

Step in the Middle of the Base: Although stepping on the front edge of the base may be a nano-second faster the chance of injury is greater.

Run Through the Base: Run across the base. Do not jump or leap into the base as it is slower. Run mentally to a point five or six steps beyond the base.

Run Straight Through the Base: Do not veer right or left when crossing the first base. This increases the distance to the base.

Nod the Base: On close plays at first base, the batter/runner can enhance his chances of being called safe by 'Nodding the Base!' This is done by stepping on the base and simultaneously bending at the waist. This movement is analogous to a track man "diving for the tape" at the finish line. It creates and optical illusion and may result in a safe call by the umpire.

Break Down and Look Right: After crossing first base, the batter/runner must break down. That is, bring his body under control as quickly as possible. This will enable the batter/runner to stop his forward momentum in a short distance so as not to run into the outfield, which increases the distance to second base should an overthrow of first base occur.

Breaking down also allows the batter/runner to establish lateral movement so that a change of direction can be easily achieved.

How to Break Down: Breaking down is the changing from stride-steps (speed steps) to chop steps (lateral control.)

Chops Steps: Results from changing the footwork from a running action to one of a wide base. The feet move in short chop steps shoulder width apart, not in long strides. This footwork is similar to that used by a defensive back in football. The value of the chop step technique is that it allows the batter/runner to slow down quickly and to change direction quickly should there be an overthrow of first base.

When to Break Down: Begin breaking down on the third step past first base.

LOOK RIGHT

As soon as the batter runner begins breaking down he should LOOK RIGHT!

LOOKING RIGHT enables the batter/runner to locate the ball and react to an overthrow of first base and a possible advancement to second base. The batter/runner can react quicker to the overthrow than waiting for instructions from the first base coach.

The batter/runner should:

1. Break Down on third step past first base.
2. Look Right to find the ball in the event of an overthrow.

Returning to first base:

The batter/runner may turn either left or right when returning to first base without liability of being tagged out provided he does not attempt to run to second base. Any "fake" attempt puts the batter/runner in jeopardy of being out.

Turning right, toward the foul line, after crossing first base is much safer and probably should be taught especially to younger player. Be sure your players understand this RULE – Both offensively and defensively.

REVIEW:

Points of emphasis

1. Initial step out of batter's box.
2. Nod the base.
3. Break down.
4. Look right.
5. Running lane.
6. Touch the base.
7. Return to first base... Turn right.

ROUNDING FIRST BASE

Once the batter determines that the ball is going into the outfield, he must Round First Base. The purpose of Rounding First Base is to enable the batter/runner to run a nearly straight line to second base should the opportunity present itself.

Not rounding first base or making too wide a turn increases the distance to second base and the time it takes to get there. Both of these factors decrease the batter/runner's chances of being safe should be attempt to advance.

Methods of Rounding First Base:

1. The batter/runner runs to a point 10-12 feet in front of first base and half way between the base line and the coach's box.
2. The batter/runner runs to the outside edge of the "running lane." This creates the proper approach to first base.
3. Either of these two methods will help the batter/runner run "a flat circle" around the bases. The flat circle is the fastest method of circling the bases.

Touching First Base

Touch first base on the inside half of the base with the left foot. Do not break stride to touch the base with left foot. Step on the base with right foot if necessary.

Upon Rounding First Base:

Make the ball or play stop you. Round first base in an aggressive, challenging manner until the ball is fielded cleanly.

If the ball is hit to right field, more caution must be exercised, because the right fielder may throw behind the runner if he takes too big a turn.

Return to first base watching the outfielders throw back into the infield. This will enable the runner to advance in the event the outfielder's throw is bad or the ball is misplayed by the infielder.

Do not turn your back on the ball! If the ball is hit to:

1. Left field or centerfield – turn counter clockwise... toward the infield keeping your eyes on the ball as you return to first base.
2. Right center or right field – turn clockwise... toward the outfield keeping your eyes on the ball as you return to first base.
3. Key the ball – Watch the outfielder's return throw to the infield as you return to first base.
4. REMEMBER: Do not turn your back on the ball! Watch the outfielder's return throw to the infield... open to the ball and be ready to advance if the throw is bad or mishandled by the infielder.

For more from Coach Dunn click on Coaches Corner on the JUGS® website.