Baserunners

Baserunners are offensive players who occupy bases during a baseball or softball game and attempt to advance around the diamond to score a run. They reach base through a hit, a walk or hit by pitch, being awarded first base, or via a catcher’s or fielder’s interference, and then remain on base while teammates bat and fielders attempt to retire the offense.

Baserunning involves several common actions. Players take leads off their bases to gauge the pitcher’s rhythm and improve timing for a possible steal. They may steal a base, attempting to reach the next base before the defense can tag them out. They can also advance on a ball in play, a hit by the batter, a defensive error, or a fielder’s choice, and may attempt extra bases on hits, ground balls, or line drives. Sacrifices—bunt or fly balls intended to advance a runner rather than to drive in a run—are a traditional baserunning strategy.

Runners may be retired in various ways. A baserunner can be tagged out on a tag play, or forced out when the defense throws to the base ahead of them. They can also be put out on rundowns or pickoff attempts. In addition, baserunners are subject to the rules requiring touch of bases; failing to touch a base or forgetting to touch home plate can lead to an appeal play and an out.

Baserunning is influenced by speed, awareness, and game context. Teams use baserunners to stretch hits into extra bases, apply pressure on the defense, and create scoring opportunities. Metrics related to baserunning include stolen-base success rate and overall baserunning efficiency, which assess a player's impact beyond batting performance.