You don’t have to be fast to be a good base runner…

base runner...

by Tim Walton, Head Coach, University of Florida

As I look at the identity of my program, I always look at ways in which we can get better. The place I always come back to is base running. Base running, in my opinion, right next to over hand throwing is one of our games' weakest skills. I believe it is important to work on base running every day. The way I teach base running is through past experiences good or bad. I have a common sense approach that I whole heartedly believe in. To be a good teacher of base running you first must believe in what you are teaching. The following are a list of ideas that I feel are useful points to emphasize:

Out of the box
When you hit a ball in the infield, make sure you hit the front closest edge of first base, and make sure your head goes down to see contact with whatever foot you're in stride with when running through first base

Don't ever jump to first base. Don't ever dive into first base unless you're trying to avoid a tag

When you hit a ball out of the infield, get your angle to second base out of the box as early as possible. Hit the front left corner with your stride foot to create a better angle heading to second base. Make your turn as big as possible relative to where the ball is hit on the field.

Never lose sight of the ball after you make your turn as you head back to first base unless the play is being made on you.

1st base (Getting into scoring position)
Concerning the Rocker versus Sprinter start, I believe you have to find what works for you. Just to clarify, the rocker start means left foot on the base, right foot behind the base. The sprinter start means left foot in front of the right foot on the base, using the base as a starting block.

I train my athletes to do what they feel comfortable with and what is the most successful for them to get into scoring position. However, if a fast runner continues to get thrown out we may reverse (rocker or sprinter) to try and change our luck.

When getting your lead, two key points for me are to make sure your eyes are always looking at the pitcher and catcher and your feet never stop while going from a lead to your break point

Never run into an out, but don't be passive either. A situational example that comes to mind is in 2007 at our first College World Series. We had runners on first and second with one out and my runner on first base ran into a tag by the second baseman (who by chance happened to be left-handed) who made an unbelievable double play.

When a ball is hit behind the runner it is important for the base runner to pick up the third base coach as soon as possible for direction. When a ball is hit in front of the runner in the outfield (left, left center, right center) I like my base runners to make their own decisions on whether or not to proceed to third base.

A simple rule that I teach after a ball has been hit foul is I have my runner and batter get the signs as soon as possible. I don't wait for my runner to get back to first base before I give the signs. This not only helps speed up the game, but it can also allow you to give your signs before your opponent can watch you giving your signs

One of the greatest ways to get your runners into scoring position is to simply allow them to be instinctive on a pitched ball in the dirt. Being able to advance on a ball in the dirt is a LOST ART. I feel it has to be taught and those that learn how to go ball in the dirt will do so with great skill.

Scoring from 2nd base
This is where I feel like I am different than so many other coaches. I stress the importance of trying to score from second base rather than just trying to advance to third.

Know the situation and where the outfield is playing at all times. I have my runners with their own eyes check outfield depths.

When a hit ball is either a potential home run or a ball in the outfield gaps, where the outfielders' backs are to the runner, I instruct my runners to get off second base as far as they can, while watching the ball, to help them score more easily. If the outfielder makes an unbelievable catch we hustle back to second base.

When the ball is hit softly between the infielder and outfielder, commonly referred to as a Texas Leaguer, I instruct my runners to get to a safe point where they can advance to third safely or get back to second base safely if the ball is caught.

When to tag? When your runners are in doubt if the ball is fair or foul have them tag. If the ball is hit deep enough and they feel they are fast enough, have them tag. If you know the outfielder is going to catch the ball and you feel you can advance to third, then tag. A good rule of thumb is typically you are more apt to tag from right field than any other field.

With two outs I like to teach my runners to get their foot on the right corner closes to left center side of second base to cut down the angle to third base to help you to cut down your turn width when heading to home.

Keep your hips open. Do not shut down your feet too early here especially on a ball in the dirt.

Scoring from 3rd base
It is impossible to score runs with your foot stuck on third base. Be aggressive.

Coach/Player Communication is vital to limiting mistakes. Make sure your players know your terminology, know what you're thinking, know how to read your lips, and just plain and simple know their speed.

Some things I commonly refer to are:
down angle, 100% ball in the dirt, infield gaps, back on line drive, Texas Leaguers, and when you are in doubt on a fly ball tag.

A down angle is where the batter hits the ball with a down angle trajectory to the dirt. 100 percent ball in the dirt means the runner is going to score on a wild pitch. Infield gaps- chops, 3 4 hole, 5 6 hole. Back on line drive means you're taking a step back on a line drive, not freezing and watching them throw you out. On Texas Leaguers I emphasize getting to your safe point.

Many runners are taught the "softball slide". The softball slide is where you run 63 feet and touch the back corner of the plate with your hand when there wasn't even a play being made on you. Train your athletes to run 60 feet and adjust, not 63 feet and tag the plate as you're sliding by.

To get better at base running, you have to admit you're not as good as you would like to be. Everyone makes mistakes. Admit that you are wrong or that your players are making mistakes and fix them. I feel that creating pressure in practice helps put my base runners in better game like situations. Live situations with live runners, a live hitter taking BP and an outfield defense provides a realistic approach that makes for a better teaching tool. Work on putting pressure on your runners every day!

About the Author...

In his five years at Florida, Walton has coached the Gators to the Women's College World Series three times, including a trip to the championship series, brought home two Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament titles and earned SEC Coach of the Year twice. UF has made the NCAA Tournament every year of his tenure and hosted Regionals all five times. He has coached 14 All-Americans, 19 NFCA All-Southeast Region honorees, five WCWS All-Tournament team selections, 23 All-SEC selections, 13 SEC All-Tournament team members, including two MVPs, two SEC Pitchers of the Year and a Player of the Year. The coaching staff has earned NFCA Southeast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year three years and the team was one of Easton's Teams of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The Gators additionally continue to shatter the UF record book under Walton's tutelage. They have broken 246 records combined since 2006. In 2008, Walton led his team to an NCAA-record 70-win season and set the best SEC record in league history at 27-1. In 2010, UF batters broke the SEC home run record they set one year ago with 109 bombs, the fifth-most in NCAA history. They also set the league record for slugging percentage (.627). The 2009 Gators became only the second team to ever register a perfect conference road record (13-0), doing so with three more games on the schedule than the 1997 South Carolina Gamecocks (10-0).