How to Run Bases Correctly in Youth Baseball
- 1). Lean toward the next base on the diamond without losing contact with the base you are on. Keep your eye on the ball as it is thrown from the pitcher to home plate.
- 2). Follow the ball with your eyes carefully after contact is made. If the ball is in the air and there are fewer than two outs, advance halfway to the next base and wait to see if the ball is caught. If caught, retreat back to the previous base. If the ball is not caught, advance to the next base or as far as you can without getting tagged out. Watch the third base coach for instructions on whether to advance another base or stop running.
- 3). Run immediately if the ball is hit on the ground. If the ball is hit in the air with two outs, also advance immediately. With two outs, continue to run until an out is made or you cannot advance further. If you are involved in a play at a base, you must slide to prevent injury and also to abide by the rules of the game.
- 4). Approach each base as quickly as possible. With first base, you can run through the base but must turn into foul territory to avoid getting tagged out. If running to another base, slide to stop momentum. If running past a base, bow out slightly before reaching the base to turn create a better angle at approaching the subsequent base. In passing a base, use your right foot to step on the inside corner of the base. This is the safest area of the base to touch and reduces the chance of slipping or tripping over a base.
- 5). Follow any ball hit into the air with fewer than two outs. Watch your coach for instructions. If your coach tells you to tag up, immediately retreat to the last base and wait for the ball to be caught. Once caught, sprint to the next base. Most tag-up situations occur with runners at third base or when a runner is at second base and the ball is hit into the outfield.
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