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There are so many different roles for each player in the game of baseball, that it can be difficult to become a master of all. But, with some good drills catering to each role, it’s quite achievable to become a master of many. Let’s take a look at a base running drill. Perhaps not as much fun as hitting practice, but an essential skill none the less.

As with any good baseball drill, it will help to improve more than just the specific skill (base running) being worked on. Since baseball is also a team sport, it’s always good to take advantage of having other players to participate in the drill. It’s also important to keep all players involved and moving.

This particular drill is fairly straight forward. It starts, with runners at first and second base. As well, you’ll need a batter at home plate. Extra players will wait behind home plate for their turn.

You’ll need a couple of extra bodies as well. They can be coaches or other players. If they’re players, make sure they get a chance to do the drill as well. One coach should start hitting balls from home plate. Since there are no fielders for this drill, a fly ball, or a grounder will count as singles.

Depending on whether the coach hits a fly ball, or a grounder, will determine how the runners react. A ground ball will cause the player at home plate to sprint full out for first base. A fly ball, will have him run a little slower, but approach first base, as if he was heading on to second.

The player starting from first base, has a couple of choices as well. He will either make a mad dash for second base, or he will run to second base, and then look to the third base coach to decide if he should carry on to third, or stop. Once again these decisions are determined based on either a ground ball, or a fly ball.

The last runner positioned at second base will do something similar. A infield ground ball will send him directly to third base. A fly ball to the outfield will send him rounding third, and looking to the coach positioned in the third base coaches box for instruction.

Now finally, although this can’t happen on the first iteration of the drill, on subsequent executions, there could be a runner on third base. If it’s a fly ball, then the runner needs to tag and run for home, as soon as the ball touches the ground. If a grounder is hit, and no one is on second base, the third base coach will direct them on what to do.

In order to keep things interesting for the players, keep this drill moving. There’s no reason to be standing around much.

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