12 Signs of Good Baserunning

NY Yankee Doug Bernier (author) baserunning during a 2011 spring training game.  Image by Ed Wolfstein.

The great thing about base running is that everyone can be good at it.  Different from hitting, fielding, and throwing, running the bases is more about knowledge and effort, not just technique and talent.

Speed is not the most important factor in baserunning.  How much heart, effort, and savvy you put into your baserunning determines how good of a base runner you will be.  Putting pressure on the defense creates mistakes and can turn into runs for your team.

When do you become a base runner?

Baserunning begins once you put the bat on the baseball.  Once the ball is hit you are no longer a hitter, you are a runner.

12 Signs of a Good Baserunning

When answering the question of how to run bases, here are 12 things you can focus on learning or improving.

1.  Being able to go from 1st to 3rd on a base hit to the outfield (when possible).
2.  Reading a line drive while on 2nd base and being able to score on a single.
3.  Running hard all the time.
4.  Knowing how and when to break up plays by sliding hard into base.
5.  Not missing any signs put on by the coach.
6.  Being able to read and anticipate pitched balls in the dirt and advancing when possible.
7.  Knowing your speed and understanding when to take a chance and when to play it more conservative.
8.  Not making the first or third out at 3rd base.
9.  Knowing where your defense is playing behind you, especially the outfielders so you can react to the ball and not have to wait and look to see what happens.
10.  Not getting doubled up on a line drive to an infielder.
11.  Always running hard through home, especially with two outs.  If a runner gets thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double and you are taking your time touching home and the out happens before you score, the run does not count.
12.  Getting good secondary leads so you can try to get that extra base on a hit.

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I hope this article on 12 Signs of Good Baserunning can help you evaluate accurately evaluate your baserunning skills so you know your strengths, as well as where you can improve your game.  Play hard.  - Doug

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More on Baserunning:

• Running Bases,  1: Rules of Thumb
• Running Bases, 2: How to Slide
• Running Bases, 3: Getting to 1st base
• RunningBases, 4: How to Take a Lead at 1st and 2nd Base
  

About the Author: Doug Bernier

Doug Bernier, founder of Pro Baseball Insider.com, debuted in the Major Leagues in 2008 with the Colorado Rockies, and has played professional baseball for 11 years. After hitting .361 with the New York Yankees this 2012 spring training where he relieved Derek Jeter at shortstop, Doug spent the 2012 season with the Yankees’ triple A team. Click here to get personal, one-on-one instruction with Doug Bernier

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