Coach Candrea and Team USA work with SportSkool to teach the softball fundamentals of base running. Coach Candrea deconstructs base running around the diamond. He shows the proper method for running through first base, rounding first base, leading off from each base, and tagging on fly balls.
Key Points:
Two keys to being a good offensive player: 1) your ability to swing the bat, and 2) your ability to run the bases
Running to first base: You do not have to be quick to be a good base runner. After making contact with the pitch and taking three or four steps down the first base line, get a quick peek to see where the ball is being fielded. If an infielder has the ball, then quickly run through first base. If the ball is hit to the outfield, then round first base looking to go to second.
Running through first base: When running to first, hit the front part of first base and glance into foul ground to see if there is an overthrow. Remember to run hard through first base (run 65 feet instead of running just 60 feet).
Rounding first base: When running from home to first, run toward the first base coach then turn and touch the inside part of the first base bag. After rounding first, lower your center of gravity so you can transfer your weight to quickly return to first base, if necessary. When making the turn, open yourself up to that position where the ball is being fielded in the outfield so that you get a good look at the player with the ball.
Leading off first base: Two types of leads are 1) one way lead when you are stealing or it is a hit-n-run, and 2) two way lead when you either need to go to second on a hit ball or quickly return to first after a pitch.
- One way lead: get off quickly when the ball is released by the pitcher.
- Two way lead: get off quickly when the ball is released by the pitcher and take two steps. When getting back to first base, touch the outside part of first base and peel back so the first baseman has to reach for the tag.
Leading off second base: Leads from second base can be a little longer than leads at first because there is a longer time for the throw from the catcher to reach second. In a short game situation (i.e., batter bunting) and the runner is only looking to get to third base, then lead off directly to third base. If you are looking to score on a hit, take a lead that is a little behind the second to third base line. This allows the runner to be in position to get a good turn around third base.
Running from second to third: A runner at second is in scoring position and should be aggressively thinking about scoring. If the ball is hit to the left side of the infield between the runner at second and third base, then the runner needs to return to second. The only time the runner can go to third on an infielder grounder is when the ball is hit behind the runner or to the right side of the infield. For fly balls, if the ball is hit to left or center then the runner will need to go part way to third and then return to second safely on the catch. If the ball is hit to right field, then the runner can potentially tag and go to third. When tagging, the runner should always be looking at the play and leave as soon as the ball touches the fielder's glove.
Leading off third base: At third, you are 60 feet from scoring so your leads need to be aggressively controlled being careful to make sure you can quickly return to third base. The lead off should be in foul territory so that if the ball hits you, it is a foul ball. Unlike baseball, you want to return in foul territory because of the positioning of the third baseman. Unlike baseball where the third baseman plays behind the base, in softball the third baseman plays in front of the base, so if the runner returns in fair territory they are moving into the third baseman's tag. Therefore, in softball the runner returns in foul territory and touches the outside part of the base to stay away from the fielder's tag.
Tagging on a fly ball from third: Unlike second base, a runner at third can tag on a fly ball hit to any of the outfielders. Like the runner at second base, the runner at third needs to quickly return to the bag and open up to see the fielder catch the ball. When the ball touches the fielder's glove, the runner can leave for home. When running home, the base runner should run in fair territory to possibly cause interference with the ball on the throw home. If the ball is hit foul down the left field line, then the base runner should run in foul territory for the same reason as above.
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