Larry Cicchiello

Baseball Base Running--Do You Know When Not To Slide Into Second Base?



Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010

by
Larwenty Online Enterprises Inc

Occasionally players get criticized for not sliding into a base. However, sliding into a base is not always recommended. Do you know the two baseball base running situations where you should not slide into second base?

If you are a base runner on first base and a ground ball is headed to the second baseman, make a quick observation as to where the second baseman is going to field the ball. If the second baseman is going to his left and into the hole to field the grounder, it would be very wise for you NOT to slide into second base. If you slide, you are opening up a throwing lane for the second baseman to his shortstop. A much better choice is to avoid sliding and run slightly to the right side of the baseline. It's a very easy and intelligent play that unfortunately, not too many base runners put to good use.

By not sliding and running on the right side of the base line, there is a very good chance that when the second baseman fields the grounder, he will look toward second base and see you and not be able to see his shortstop. A simple thing like this can create chaos for the team in the field. One possibility is that the second baseman will not even attempt to get the force out and you will now be in scoring position at second base. Another possibility is that if the second baseman does attempt the throw to second base, he will alter his throw because he has to either get it over you or around you. He could very well throw the ball away and you may now have two runners on with less than two outs, rather than having one runner on first base and possibly one or two outs.

It creates an entirely different scenario and this simple baseball base running technique can lead to a big inning. Most people in attendance at the game, including players and coaches, won't even notice what happened because it is a very good play that very few are aware of.

Another time to at least consider not sliding into second base is if you are on first base and a pick off throw gets away from the first baseman. When the pick off throw gets away, immediately look over your shoulder and make a very quick determination as to where you think the ball will be picked up by the first baseman or one of the other fielders.

If you think the ball will be fielded far enough away that you can possibly go to third base, you do not want to slide into second base and waste time getting up from sliding and then consider going to third base. Just remember to make that very quick judgment as to where you think one of the fielders will pick up the ball.

These are two very good baseball base running tips that unfortunately, not too many know about. Show everyone how well schooled you are!

Larry Cicchiello is the successful author of "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." His VERY user friendly eBooks and CD's cover 320 topics on playing very good baseball. ANY baseball player, coach or parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips are available at LarryBaseball.com



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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Jenna Redman
 2 years 4 days ago.
5 fans.
Nice :) Very easy to understand and quite interesting! I love Searchwarp as I now read more articles that I probably wouldn't search for. Great job Larry!
» left by Ravi Dev Chauhan
 2 years 3 days ago.
9 fans.
Great article Larry by giving these little known pointers you are surely increasing the knowledge base of newbie players of the game !
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