Base Running – Light vs. Sound Approach

by Head Coach Diana Pepin and Assistant Coach Peter Maneggia - 

Eastern Connecticut State Univ.

Our philosophy of base running is based on two concepts Light vs. Sound plus ownership of the skill. Generally speaking, one of the skills lacking of players when they come to college is the understanding of base running. Base running is not to be confused with base stealing. Knowing when to take an extra base or when not to is a skill that needs to be developed.

Light vs. sound, light travels at a speed of 671,000,000 miles per hour. Sound travels at 768 miles per hour. What does this have to do with base running? By the time a base coach tells you to run it can be too late. If a base runner can make their own decision, which is the speed of light, and the play happens much quicker.

Why does the player lack this skill set? I feel there are two reasons why we don't run well. First players do not play enough games on their own, where coaches are not present telling you every move to make. While playing in the backyard, or on some random field where it forces players to learn how to run and make quick decisions. Coaches can be to controlling and not allow players to fail. This is how you learn what you can and cannot achieve on the bases.

How do we develop base runners? We live in a cold climate and spend many weeks indoors. We play 6 vs. 6 games with no outfielders and no base coaches. In the GYM the ball bounces different angles runners are forced to find the ball. We also will change the scoring to include points delayed steals, advance on passed balls or if defense is not covering a base. When players make a bad choice we go over why it does not fit into our philosophy. The flip side of this is our defense has improved with all of the pressure. One final thought, you do not need to be fast to be a good base runner. Confidence, knowledge of situations plus no hesitation make for great base runners.

How to run the bases:

Home to 1st - upon making contact, just run. If there are any doubts if the ball is fair or foul let the umpire make the call. We believe when the batter hits the ball they know where it went. While running to first if the ball went the left side of the field the runner can either peak after a couple of steps or key on the 1st base coach. If there is going to be a play at 1st base as the 1st base coach I clap my hands. The runner takes this as a cue that there is going to be a play at first. They must run in a straight line to 1st base as it is the quickest route. We do not worry about the runners lane unless we sac, or squeeze bunt. As long as there is not a play at first you do not have to worry about the runner's lane. Try to touch the front of 1st base since it is the closest part to home plate, but do not stutter step to touch the base. This will cause you to slow down. After stepping on the base turn your head right to see if there is an over throw. Always turn to the left. You are not out even if you go into fair territory unless you make an attempt to go to 2nd. You are looking to see if 2nd base is covered. You are always trying to advance. On a ball hit to the outfield the batter can look after a couple of steps or look at the first base coach who is pointing their finger towards 2nd base. This does not mean they automatically go to 2nd. It is the job of the runner to find the ball and then decide by them self if they are going to 2nd. This is the sight vs. sound philosophy. We have the runner turn out around the 1st base coaching box, touching the base with either foot. Growing up, I was taught to use the inside foot. I now let the player use whatever foot they feel natural with. I do want them to dip their left shoulder down to help them make the turn. If going look at the inside corner of 2nd base. This will keep from striding out to right field, keeps you in a straighter line. If the ball goes over the outfielders head then the 1st base coach waves their arm in a circle. The runner will then know that the hit is a sure double and they must decide if they can go three.

On a triple the runner does not look at the 3rd base coach to go unless they cannot see the ball. A hit down the right field line would be this ball. The runner has been taught to look before 2nd base at the 3rd base coach. The runner should be able to make their own decision. I like to have them look after rounding 2nd. This is the same philosophy from 1st to 3rd base on a base hit. This can be practice by using no base coaches in practice. Running 2nd to 3rd. In baseball it is almost impossible to advance with a groundball to SS or 3rd base. In softball with the right jump a base runner going on down angle it is possible. Down angle is when the base runner reads the ball off the bat going towards the ground. In softball, the 3rd baseman plays up before bag many times. Hard play to back pedal find ball and tag runner. With runners on 2nd and 3rd the runners should always be in down angle, even if the runner at 3rd base is thrown out at the plate the batter should be going to 2nd on contact. You are back to 2nd and 3rd. Usually we use down angle at 3rd with one out. Pass balls are up to the runner to go. By the time the coach says go it can be too late. At 3rd balls in the dirt should be automatic go. Pitches that go over the catchers head can hit the back stop and come straight back. We must know the field we play on and take advantage of miss cues by the defense. All of these situations can be worked on in practice. Work on all slides, pop-ups, slide bys and head first.

In summary, your philosophy will dictate what you do on the base paths. A coach needs to give the players the green light to make decisions on the fly. The players need to trust that the coach will not berate them for going and getting out. If a player walks on eggshells, then we cannot run aggressively and score more runs. The light vs. sound approach is not for every team, know your teams strengths and weaknesses and teach them the skills to improve their knowledge of base running. Base running is not all about speed, a good jump, quick decisions, and trust in the coaching staff will get your team more runs.