Situational hitting: moving runners

Setup

1. A coach pitches from behind an L-screen, firm and around the zone, at your competition's distance.
2. Full or partial defence in the field, catcher in full gear. Runners and the batter wear helmets with face guards.
3. Hitters waiting their turn stand behind the backstop or a fence, never near the batter's box.
4. The coach calls the situation before each batter: outs, count and where the runners are.

How it runs

1. Situation 1, runner on second, nobody out: the batter's job is a ball on the right side (behind the runner), so the runner can reach third on a ground ball.
2. Situation 2, runner on third, fewer than two outs, infield back: a ground ball to the middle infield or a fly ball deep enough to tag up scores the run.
3. Situation 3, runner on third, infield in: the batter needs a ball in the air to the outfield or a hard ground ball through the drawn-in infield.
4. Each batter gets two chances per situation, then rotates to runner, then to the field. Runners leave the base only when the pitch is released.
5. Plays run live to the end, including tag-ups on fly balls. The coach scores each at-bat: job done, job not done, or productive out.
6. After each group, ask the batter what pitch they were looking for and where they wanted to hit it.

Coaching points

• Hit behind the runner by letting the ball travel deeper and driving it to the opposite field (right side for a right-handed batter).
• Look for a pitch you can do the job with, especially early in the count. Do not chase a pitch you cannot steer.
• With the infield in, look for a pitch up in the zone to drive in the air.
• A productive out (runner moved, run scored) is a win for the team; celebrate it.
• Runner on second: read the ball through the infield. Go on a ball hit to your right; hold on a ball hit in front of you to the left side.
• Runner on third: tag up on a fly ball, leave on the catch, and stay out of the fielder's way.

Common mistakes

• Trying to pull every pitch, rolling over into a ground ball to the left side that freezes the runner.
• Swinging at the first pitch in the dirt because it was the 'right' side.
• Runner on third leaving early on a fly ball and getting called out on appeal.
• Runner sliding into or through a fielder who is fielding the ball; give way to the fielder.