Chapter 5 - Running And Sliding

Few baseball players realize the importance of running or of improving their ability to run in the over-all development of playing skills. While the player bats on offense and fields and throws on defense, he runs on both offense and defense. Branch Rickey always stressed speed in building his great teams because running ability is the most valuable asset a player can bring to baseball.

The ability to run fast makes it possible to beat out slow rollers in the infield, to take extra bases on long hits, and to steal bases. In the field, running speed helps the player to get in front of more ground balls and to go farther to catch fly balls. Most of the great players in the game have been very fast on their feet—men like George Sisler, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Phil Rizzuto, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Jackie Robinson.

A Sprinting Game

The longest run a player will make in a Little League game is 80 yards, and the longest in adult baseball is 120 yards—the distance around the bases. Since baseball is a sprinting game, boys should learn to run the way sprinters do.

Very few young players have been exposed to track training, and it is unlikely that any youngster is born with perfect running form. Thus, running drills will be beneficial to every boy. Moreover, it would be a good idea for every athlete to learn from the best available source as much as he can about running; in most cases this source is the nearest track coach.

Here are some tips which may be helpful. Most boys do not have long enough strides, but they can be taught to lengthen them. When moving at top speed, good runners generally have strides which exceed their height. For instance, a player who is 5'6" tall will have a stride longer than 5'6".

Nevertheless, a runner can also slow down by overstriding. The stride should be a comfortable one and one which brings maximum speed. The length of the stride depends on the runner's body build and the length of his legs. Ray Welsh, conditioning director for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has proved that the speed of players at all stages of development from rookies to 35-year-old veterans can be improved if the players have a desire to improve. Over a period of two years, Welsh increased the stride of Bob Skinner by nearly one foot, thereby helping him to become one of the best base-runners in the game.

Welsh's procedure in lengthening stride is to have the player start with his usual stride, if it is too short, and then to mark off lines for the runner to land on in practice, increasing the length of these lines about three inches at a time until the runner is striding at what should be a normal distance for him to get the best results.

As Welsh points out, it takes an adult from 15 to 18 steps to reach first base from the batter's box. If one adds one-half inch to each stride, that will add up to at least seven and one-half inches over the distance. How often are players thrown out by five or six inches in a season? At least 10 times in a short schedule such as is played in Little League and similar junior programs. Being safe those 10 times will add 10 to 20 points to a batting average and will be the difference between victory and defeat in many close games.

RUN STRAIGHT AHEAD. Every player must find the right stride for his physical makeup. It is equally important to point the toes so that one runs straight ahead. Welsh discovered that this will help players gain another half inch with each step, a total of seven and one-half inches between home and first. Players can practice by striding down a base line so that their feet come down beside the line, left foot on the left side and right foot on the right side. Many runners will find that they will have to point their toes in slightly as they run in order to stride straight ahead.

A runner should streamline himself as much as possible with all arm and leg action forward and backward, not sideways, and the movement in a straight line. He should run on the balls of his feet to have the proper bounce, spring, and balance.

SPRINTING. Quick starts are all-important in sprinting. Anyone who has seen Jackie Robinson steal a base will realize what an asset a fast start can be in baseball. However, there is a difference between starting to run in a baseball game and starting to sprint in a track meet.

The first stride on offense is out of the batter's box. After hitting the ball, the first step toward first base is with the foot nearest the catcher. Some players swing so hard that they are off balance and must straighten up and shuffle their feet to get into position to start running toward first. Outstanding hitters like Ted Williams, swinging left-handed, and Rogers Hornsby and Joe DiMaggio, hitting right-handed, could take a good swing at the pitch and still be in balance to start running immediately.
Once in stride, the player digs in as a sprinter does in starting a race, gradually increasing his stride as he picks up speed. He should swing his arms straight forward and backward, the left arm going forward with the right leg, lift his knees high, lean forward, and take a long but comfortable stride. The athlete should maintain the "running angle" with head up, trunk leaning forward, and ankles, hips, shoulders, and head in line. A good arm swing helps to drive the runner forward.

One of the most common faults of major league players is that they watch where the ball goes after they hit it instead of beginning to run immediately. How often have you seen a boy bat a ball and then stop to admire his handiwork before heading for first? To get the best results, players should stride toward first base the moment the bat meets the ball and should depend on the first-base coach to tell them whether to try for an extra base.

In running between home and first base and between third base and home plate, a runner should swing out slightly to be sure that he is running in foul territory. In the last half of the distance between home and first, a runner should run on the outside of the base line in foul territory. Otherwise, he can be called out if the umpire feels that the runner interferes with the fielder in taking the throw at first base or in attempting to field a batted ball. Running in foul territory between third and home, the runner eliminates the possibility of being put out by being hit by a batted ball.

MAKE SHARP TURNS. Turning the bases takes practice, and every player should spend time at it. Every step saved can be the difference between being safe or out at the next base.

Fig. 3. Bill Virdon of the Pittsburgh Pirates shows excellent form as he leans in and makes a sharp turn in rounding first base during spring training.

A player should make as sharp a turn as possible in rounding the bases. Regardless of which foot touches the base, he must be sure to hit the inside corner of the base and push hard in the direction of the next base. He should lean in toward the pitcher with his body like an airplane dipping a wing in making a turn, lowering his left shoulder. If his left foot contacts the bases, swinging his right arm toward the next base will help him make a sharp turn.

FIG. 4. Runner makes sharp turn at first base, hitting inside corner of base with foot, and leaning toward pitcher. He keeps eyes on the base to be sure he touches it.
 
Once he discovers that the ball has been hit into the outfield, he should take a big turn at first, daring the outfielders to throw him out. Some of the best runners will advance a third of the distance to second base. Then if an outfielder juggles the ball, hesitates in deciding where to make his throw, or makes an error, the runner can take an extra base or two. Jackie Robinson always kept pressure on the outfielders in this way.

In Little League play breaking from a base is different from baseball at higher levels since the player must be in contact with the base until the pitch reaches the batter. Thus the player will be facing the pitcher as he starts to run. He will use the same body action as an adult player who has taken a lead off the base, pivoting on his right foot toward the next base, striding with his left foot, and swinging the left arm in the same direction to help pull his body around and give him the desired fast break. The arm action is similar to that of an uppercut punch in boxing. He starts from a standing crouch with knees bent and back bent forward, the arms hanging loosely beside the knees.

HOW TO TAG UP. When tagging up at a base, in an effort to advance after the catch of a fly ball, the runner should lean forward and keep his eyes on the ball. As the ball is caught, he should push hard against the side of the base with his rear foot to get a good start. Most right-handers push off with the right foot and left-handers with the left foot.

JUDGMENT IS IMPORTANT. Judgment is an important factor in being a successful base-runner. The runner must develop the ability to judge distance, to detect at a glance whether the fielder is in a position to throw, and to keep in mind the speed, strength, and accuracy of the fielder. He must learn how to make use of his coaches and must know the skills of all the defensive players who may be involved in relays, cut-offs, or making the tag.

In baseball at older age-levels, base-stealing becomes important. A running club can and does upset the opposition. With a Willie Mays or Luis Aparicio on base, the pitcher can't concentrate fully on the batter because he must be sure to hold the runner close to his base. The catcher will be hesitant about signaling for a curve ball or change-of-pace pitch because breaking pitches and slow pitches make it more difficult for him to throw out a runner. Even though the curve, slider, or change-up may be the pitch the batter doesn't like, the catcher may call for a chest-high fast ball, which the batter is more likely to hit, because he can catch and throw it more quickly. A dangerous runner also causes pitchers to "waste" more pitches with the catcher calling for pitch-outs in an effort to pick a runner off base or to throw him out when he attempts to steal. Every time a pitcher throws a "ball," he helps the opposition, and every time he throws a strike he helps his team, so a pitch-out which fails to retire a runner always helps the team at bat.

Each player must determine for himself how far to lead off a base. This will depend on his reaction time, reflexes, and experience. A good rule for a beginner is to take a lead twice the distance of his height. He would lead off 10 feet if he is five feet tall and would increase or decrease the lead as he discovers his capabilities and potentialities. The lead will vary according to the opposing pitchers, too. Runners stay closer to first base when a lefthander is pitching.

In leading off, young players would be wise to use the "two-way" lead, taking the same body position as they do in Little League, but being prepared to break back to the base they have occupied if the pitcher attempts a pick-off or to break for the next base if he pitches to the batter. The body weight is kept equally balanced on both feet so that the pitcher won't catch the runner leaning in one direction or the other as he makes his throw. In going back to a base, he pivots on the left foot and takes his first stride with his right foot, using the opposite body action of that described in breaking for the next base.
 
Some of the outstanding professional base-runners evolve more complicated ways of taking a lead, but the "two-way" lead is much better for beginners.

A good base-runner must get the "jump" on the pitcher. He must study the pitcher's moves and mannerisms and break for the next base at the split-second he knows the ball is going to the plate. It was Max Carey, one of the great base-runners of all time, who said: "It isn't so much how fast you run as how fast you start running." Jackie Robinson would study the pitcher's feet because the feet reveal where the pitcher will throw before any other part of the body. Willie Mays claims that watching a pitcher's head helps him most, and Richie Ashburn checks the whole body of the pitcher for tips as to where and when he will throw.

While Max Carey would sneak off the base an extra half step when he planned to steal to get an extra edge on the pitcher and catcher, Peewee Reese would take a bigger lead when he wasn't going to steal because he didn't want to tip off his plans. However, both had perfect timing and seemed to be going at full speed by their second stride.

If a pitcher knows that a runner will make no attempt to steal, he can concentrate on the batter. The runner who makes false starts causes the pitcher to divide his attention and decrease his effectiveness. When a runner at first fakes a dash to second, he may cause the opposing catcher to call for a pitch-out. This will help his teammate at bat by putting the pitcher behind the batter in the ball-and-strike count.

BE ADVENTURESOME. Remember that a runner must be adventuresome to be effective. You must take chances to steal bases. Only steal when stealing will help your team, not when you are behind 12 to 0 in the sixth inning. It is the calculated risk which gets results. Even a slow runner can steal a base if he knows his opponents. Jimmy Wilson came out of retirement to catch in a World Series when injuries had put younger catchers on the bench. He hurt both legs, but continued to play. When he got on base, Wilson noticed that the opposing pitcher and catcher were paying no attention to him, so he surprised everyone in the park by promptly hobbling down to second for a stolen base.

Any coach or player would profit by memorizing Ray Welsh's rules for base-runners:

Rules For Runners

1. An aggressive base-running attitude.

2. Run out every play.

3. Judge and position of fielders.

4. Know the quality of catcher's and fielders' arms.

5. Learn to get a big lead.
 
6. Study the pitcher's moves and personal mannerisms.

7. Get a reputation as a good base-runner. Help the batter behind you.

8. Adventuresome—take a lead—draw the throw.

9. Alertness, aggressiveness, and desire to steal are important to a good baserunner.

10. Know where the ball is every moment.

11. Keep pressing for every advantage.

12. Take off at full speed.

13. Know the situation, the score, the count on the batter, the outs in the inning, the strong and weak throwing arms of the opposing fielders, and be willing to take a chance.

14. Run in a straight line.

15. Make your turn at each base, ready to start for the next on balls hit to the outfield.

16. When you drop your bat at home plate and head for first, resolve to circle the bases as quickly as is possible.

17. Touch all bases.

18. Keep in mind the tactical situation at all times.

19. Run out all hits—let the coaches tell you if the ball is foul.

20. Watch the pitchers while on the bench to learn their motions and system.

21. Pivot properly when running bases to reduce the distance that must be traveled.

22.       Always slide when in doubt, and once you start to slide don't change your mind.

Base-Running Drill

You can use the whole squad at once on a base-running drill. With a pitcher and catcher in their regular positions, place one runner on first base and the rest of the players behind him, an arm's length from each other, with their left feet on the foul line. The pitcher throws the ball to the catcher. As the ball reaches home plate, the base-runners all break toward second base, running in parallel lines. They pivot toward second with the right foot and take a full first stride with the left foot, swinging the left arm toward second as they stride to get a good start.

To add interest to this drill, one of the coaches can stand about 30 feet back of second base in line with third base and pick a winner as the players sprint from first base. You can work with smaller groups, too, and might use a stop watch to time them and check them for improvement from week to week. The players can trot back to first base and repeat the drill several times.

Sliding

Because Little Leaguers are close to the ground, they are at the ideal age to teach sliding. If your players practice sliding every time they come to the park-either on high grass or in a sliding pit-it won't take long for them to learn how to slide, and thus to avoid the leg and arm injuries which result so often from improper sliding.

Use a cart or low platform on wheels to show boys how to assume the proper sliding position. Wheel them in to a base and show them what to do in the process of sliding. The first thing to teach a boy about sliding is that he is to land on his buttocks—where he has the most natural padding— with his arms and legs off the ground.

THE HOOK SLIDE. Since a player should learn to slide away from the ball to avoid being tagged, teach him how to hook slide. Many players make the mistake of sliding past the base before the hooking foot contacts it, thus giving the fielder more time to make the tag.

FIG. 5(a). The Dodgers use a "grease monkey" cart like the one pictured here in teaching rookies how to slide. They can be shown proper leg action as they are wheeled into a base. Here the player has right knee slightly bent as his foot contacts base, sliding away from the throw.

In sliding to the right, which should be done if the ball is coming from the left, the player should land on his buttocks with his legs turned sideways to the right. The right leg is stretched out to the right and off the ground, and the left leg points toward the base with the knee slightly bent so that the left foot will contact the base at the earliest possible moment and remain in contact with the base as the knee bends and the body slides on past the base. The player should keep his eyes on the base and the fielder who is attempting to tag him, and should keep his arms from hitting the ground as he slides.

FIG. 5(b). The foot remains against "outer third" of base as knee bends and body slides forward. Player keeps eyes on base and fielder who is attempting to tag him. His arms are folded against the body and are off the ground to prevent injury. The other foot is carried off the ground for the same reason.

FIG. 6. This runner has good action as he slides to the right, with slightly bent left leg contacting bag. He has landed where he has the most natural padding and gets extra protection from sliding pads. Many runners bend leg too far, giving fielder more time to tag them before they reach base. Helmet protects head from possible wild throw.

Be sure the boys don't jump in the air, but stay as low to the ground as possible when going into a slide. As they land, only the buttocks should touch the ground.
 
In hooking to the left, the player lands with his feet turned sideways to the left, with arms off the ground, and using the same hooking action as with the right leg.

THE BENT-LEG SLIDE. The bent-leg slide is a good one to use when going into the base on a force play. There is no tag to avoid and this slide is faster because it takes the player straight to the base.

As he takes off, he bends the right leg under the left, with the foot pointed sideways. He extends the left leg directly toward the base, keeping the knee slightly bent and heel off the ground. The force of his body as it slides into the base, plus an upward push by the right leg and hands, gets him off fast toward the next base in case of a bad throw or fumble.
 
AVOIDING A BLOCK. If the ball beats the player to the bag and the baseman has the base blocked, he should slide past the base and slap it with his hand. This slide is especially effective at home plate.

HEAD-FIRST SLIDE. The head-first slide is dangerous, but can be used when the defensive team attempts a pick-off play. Diving back to the side of the base away from the throw and contacting it with an outstretched hand is the quickest way to get there.

FIG. 7. When there is a force-out situation and the base-runner doesn't have to avoid a tag, the stand-up slide is desirable. The left leg is extended toward the base, with the knee slightly bent, and the right leg is bent sideways under the left leg and held high enough so that it won't dig into the ground and cause an injury. The arms are held in the air also to prevent injury. As slider reaches base, he pushes up with right leg and hand to be ready to run again in case of a wild throw.

WHEN TO SLIDE. The players should know that they can run faster than they can slide. Therefore they should run across first base, where they are permitted to run past the base, and across home plate, too, unless a slide will enable them to avoid a tag. The slide is necessary on a close play at second or third base because the player must keep in contact with the base. He can't run to the base and stop as quickly as he can slide into it. In approaching second or third base, the runner should slide if there is any doubt in his mind about whether a slide is necessary. At home plate, he should slide only if he sees that the ball has reached the plate ahead of him.
 
FIG. 8. This base-runner did the proper thing in running hard, using a normal stride, as he attempted to beat out an infield tap. Note his leg action as he comes down on the base and continues to speed straight ahead. Also note action of first-base coach in signaling for him to run hard "through" the base and not to make a turn since the play would be close at first.

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