• This drill enables players to cover almost every possible baserunning situation in a short time. Done properly, it allows players to get in a lot of work within a short time slot.

• Balls (3-4)
• Cones
• Fungo
• Gloves
• Bases

• Place three to five runners at each base.
• Have an assistant coach stand with a bucket of balls near the shortstop area.
• Have a right handed pitcher start from the stretch position and throw an imaginary pitch, or have a pitcher throw to a catcher.
• All groups of runners will run or react on the pitch at the same time.

RUNNER AT HOME PLATE:

• Runners position themselves in the batter's box, ready to swing (with or without a bat is optional).
• As pitcher comes home, player swings and claps hands to simulate a hit.
• Player runs hard through 1st base and try to hit hit the front part of the bag.
• Runners return to 1st base ready for next progression of round 1.

RUNNERS AT 1ST BASE:

• Runners line up behind each other at 1st base.
• The player's job is to execute a straight steal (take off on first movement, look at home plate halfway down to simulate picking up outcome of pitch).
• After sliding into the bag, runner then lines up for drill at 2nd base.

RUNNERS AT 2ND BASE:

• Assistant coach (or another player) has a bucket of balls and is positioned on the shortstop's side of the mound.
• Coach's job is to roll balls to the runners after each pitch.
• Runners react to the ball as follows:
  • Ball straight at them or to their left = run to 3rd at full speed.
  • Ball in front = hesitate and visualize the shortstop of third baseman fielding the ball, then take off for 3rd after the throw.
• Runners should line up for the next drill progression after reaching 3rd.

RUNNERS AT 3RD BASE:

• After taking a walking lead, the runners' only job is to react on contact and go.
• During this round, runners should visualize a ground ball to the right side.
• After crossing home plate, runners should line up and get ready for the next.

RUNNER AT HOME PLATE:

• This time runners run straight through the bag looking for an overthrow.
• After crossing 1st base, they must quickly pick up the overthrown ball, then run hard to 2nd base.
• Approximately one third of the way to 2nd base, the players make eye contact with the 3rd base coach (this teaches them to check and see if it is ok to come to 3rd base).
• After stopping at 2nd base, runners return to 1st base and line up for next drill progression.

RUNNERS AT 1ST BASE:

• This time the player's job is to execute a delayed steal (get a lead, take a small hop on the pitch, then go, look at home plate halfway down to simulate picking up outcome of pitch).
• After sliding into the bag, runner then lines up for drill at 2nd base.

RUNNERS AT 2ND BASE:

• Same positions as round one at 2nd base.
• Runners repeat drill progression from round 1

RUNNERS AT 3RD BASE:

• On the clap, the runner reacts to a simulated fly ball hit to the outfield and rehearses going back to the bag to tag up.
• After visualizing the outfielder making making the catch, the runner takes off for home at full speed (the runners should be reacting on their own without help from the 3rd base coach).
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RUNNER AT HOME PLATE:

• LHP is now on the mound pitching from the stretch.
• Same positions as round 1 and 2 at home plate.
• This time the runners react to a simulated hit down the right field line.
• It's a good idea to place two cones around first base during this progression: 1 approximately 15-20 feet from 1st base on the foul side of the bag, and 1 approximately 15-20 feet from 1st base in line with 2nd (see diagram).
• The purpose of the cones is to get players to practice making a wide turn before reaching 1st base, then cutting back to the inside of the bag and getting into a straight line for 2nd base.
• About one third of the way to 2nd base, the runner should pick up the 3rd base coach for directions to either stop at 2nd base on a double or continue to 3rd base on a triple.

RUNNERS AT 1ST BASE:

• LHP is now on the mound pitching from the stretch.
• Runners steal on first move of the Left handed pitcher.
• After sliding into the bag, runner then lines up for drill at 2nd base.

RUNNERS AT 2ND BASE:

• Same positions as round 1 and 2 at 2nd base.
• Runners repeat drill progression from round 1 and 2.

RUNNERS AT 3RD BASE:

• On the clap, the runner reacts to a simulated line drive hit up the middle. His job is to either go as the ball goes up the middle of the infield, or go back to the bag as the ball is caught. The choice is theirs.

• It's important to try and place an equal number of runners at each bag so the drill runs as smoothly as possible.
• When executed properly, the drill should take between 10-15 minutes.
• To help players understand each progression of each round, it may help to set up a miniature version of the field by positioning throw-down bases close together.