For some reason, I can't recall what at the moment , I have been pondering what a player should be taught as rules for good baserunning. I thought we at Redszone could compile a list of things to do or not to do to avoid being thrown out on the basepaths like a nitwit. (This is not intended to bash any particular team or player but is aspirational/ instructional.)
In no particular order, just to get us started:
*Know the number of outs.
*If there is a runner ahead of you, make sure they are advancing before committing to going to that other runner's base.
*When in doubt, slide.
*If you are on-deck, be in position to signal to a runner approaching home whether they need to slide.
*Do not slide headfirst into home.
*Do not slide into first (unless to avoid a tag on an errant throw)
*If you are on second and no runner is on first, make sure a ball hit to SS or 3rd is going through before trying to advance to third.
*If you are at third with less than two out, go back to the base if the ball is hit in the air.
*If you are down by more runs then innings remain, don't try to steal unless you are not being held on (defensive indifference)
*If you are on first, do not try to go to third on a bunt.
*If you are on a base and the defensive players are acting as if the ball has been thrown away, do not leave the base unless a coach is signalling you.
*Look and listen to your base coaches.
*If the ball is ahead of you (in your line of sight) watch how the play is developing
*go in hard but clean to break up a double play
*don't steal second only to be picked off but escape the pickoff by going back to first at the expense of the runner on first and then get caught stealing second in that same at bat. http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=26416825
*if you are on first, go halfway if the ball is hit on the air to the OF and it should be caught.
*when in doubt, slide
*with two outs, do not get thrown out as a trailing runner before the winning or tying run will score.
*as a trail runner, see where the ball is being thrown, don't assume that it is going after the lead runner or to the cutoff man
*if you get caught off base with less than two out, keep the play alive long enough for other runners to safely advance
*when getting tagged in a rundown, move to the outside so the fielder has to turn their back to any other runners who may be advancing
*make sure a low line drive gets out of the infield before running or continuing to run
There is a beginning. What else should a good base-running team do or not do? What are the good fundamentals of base-running? Is base-running hyphonated?