Baseball Baserunning Drill: Bases Loaded

  

 

You really only need a pitcher (or even a baseball coach), catcher, and runners ready to go. Load the bases to begin, and have a line of runners at home. On the pitchers release, every runner takes a lead (except for the one at home of course). The catcher has a ball in hand before he even receives the ball from the pitcher. As the ball enters his glove, the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher one of four ways, as a pop fly, a ground ball or a bunt, or a direct throw.

The runners react differently depending on the catcher's choice. A grounder or a bunt, runners advance one base after their lead, a straight throw (simulating a line drive through to the outfield) runners advance two bases. A pop and the runners return to the base to tag up, and then advance one base. The runners at home just take off when the catcher releases the "hit" and advance the appropriate number of bases. As lines form at the different bases, runners just take turns advancing. It is fun to watch the mental focus of the runners in action. There are variations you can do with this baseball drill such as adding in defenders, and/or having the coach hit the balls.

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