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Baseball Training Can Help You To Succeed With Rundowns

11 November 2021

Jacey Martin

If you're a young baseball infielder, one of the scenarios that you'll often encounter is dealing with a rundown. In baseball, a rundown occurs when a baserunner is between two bases and runs back and forth in an effort to get to either base safely. For example, after rounding second base but seeing that the third baseman has the ball, the runner may attempt to run back to second base. For infielders and baserunners alike, a rundown scenario is a tense event that can affect the outcome of the game. If you enroll in a baseball training academy that teaches infield fundamentals, you'll learn the following things about rundowns.

Chase The Runner

As an infielder, it's important for you to chase the runner when they're in a rundown instead of standing still. Chasing them toward either base can increase your likelihood of getting them out with a throw to the infielder who is standing on the base in advance of the runner's arrival. By chasing the runner toward the base, your throw to your teammate will be short — often, you might be just a few yards away from them when you throw the ball. This close proximity increases the probability that your throw will be on target.

Step Away From The Base Path

The runner who is caught in the rundown will run back and forth along the base path, which is the line between the two bases. As an infielder, you don't want to stand directly on the base path. In this position, your throw has a legitimate chance of inadvertently hitting the runner — resulting in the ball rolling away and the runner advancing. In your training, you'll learn to step to the side of the base path so you'll have a clear throw to your teammate.

Watch Other Runners

When there are other runners on the base paths, it's important for you to keep an eye on them. For example, if you're dealing with a runner between first base and second base, you don't want a runner on third base to run home because you aren't paying attention. Your training academy's instructors will teach you how to direct most of your focus onto the runner who is caught in the rundown, but to also take quick peeks at another runner who is on a different base. In some situations, you may need to quickly abandon the rundown and throw the ball to a teammate to try to get the other runner out. The training academy will give you plenty of opportunities to practice rundowns, which will make you feel more confident when one occurs in a game. Contact a baseball training academy to learn more. 

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