1) Always take your leads in foul ground and return back to the bag in fair ground. This is because a batted ball that hits you over fair territory puts you out, but a thrown ball that hits you will probably result in a run.

2) Listen to your base coach for special instructions. We may want to make the ball go through the infield before we try to advance or go on anything hit to the right side. You must be ready to react when running at third base.

3) Take a walking lead if the pitcher is in the windup, a normal lead if the pitcher is in the stretch. Start your walking lead very close to the bag, and take that lead very casually. You start your secondary lead when the pitcher begins his windup. When he is in the stretch, apply first base rules to opposite handed pitchers. In other words, treat a lefthanded pitcher like a right handed pitcher and treat a righthander like a lefty. Land on your right foot with your chest facing the infield as you complete your secondary lead. Don't stand around, make a move. Be ready to advance or retreat as you finish your secondary lead.

4) Be aggressive on passed balls! However, be smart. I encourage taking chances if you get a good jump. The ball doesn't have to go too far from the catcher for you to score from third base, but you must get a good jump. If you have doubt, stay at third!

5) With less than 2 outs, tag on all balls hit in the air and listen to your third base coach for instructions. I may tell you halfway on a fair pop up if I think the ball is not batted far enough out for us to score. Or I may tell you to bluff to the plate so we can draw a throw and hopefully make the defense throw the ball away. You are responsible for seeing the ball enter the outfielders glove so that you can get the best possible jump toward the plate. It is a sprint so run full speed.

6) When running at third in a first and third situation, the rule is to go as soon as you are sure the ball will clear the pitcher's head. Don't cheat, just be focused and leave at precisely the right time and we will have success. You will have to extend your lead a little as you see the catcher start his throw to second base. If you start early, the catcher will see you and throw your way. Against teams that run a cutoff play with their middle infielders, you may be told to stay at home. If they do run this play, we can put them in a bind with a fake bunt, steal play and simply stay at third base. There will be nobody left to take 2nd.

7) If you can run well and learn take good aggressive (not stupid) leads at third base, some situations may call for a steal of home. I will tell you verbally when I want you to do this. The batter should NEVER swing at the incoming pitch when a runner is attempting to steal home. We must have the right pitcher and you must get a good jump to pull this off. Do not slide headfirst into the plate. We will never attempt to steal home with 2 strikes on the hitter.

8) If we have the suicide squeeze on, the runner at third should take off for the plate as soon as the pitcher breaks his hands...no sooner. Prior to that, he should act naturally and take primary and secondary leads as always.

9) Sometimes I will verbally tell you to bluff a steal of home to try to force the pitcher to balk you in for the score. We will only do this when the pitcher is in the windup. Take a short primary lead. You must make an abrupt move toward the plate (about 4 steps) then take two backward so you can return safely if the pitcher deals with the pressure appropriately. The secret is timing. You want to start just about a second before he does. You won't have any idea when he will start if you haven't been paying attention to his mannerisms. This is not something we will do over and over. We will take a shot from time to time, then go on with the game. We will not build our offense around them balking, but we are not too proud to take a run here and there.
 

Submitted by: Tom Collins