How to Watch Baseball

Skillful Base Running

Judgment Means More Than Speed

Phil Rizzuto, from the photograph printed with his chapter.

By Phil Rizzuto,Shortstop, New York Yankees

Pages 20–21 · Phillips Petroleum Company, 1953

Good base running means much more than speed and stealing bases. The essence of good base running is the ability to make the proper move at the proper time. The proper time is when the move figures, on the percentages, to help the team.

Consider the gamble for an extra base. If his team trails by several runs and is striving to get back in the game with a big inning, the good base runner does not try to stretch a single into a double. Nor does he try to go from first to third on a single to center. On the other hand, when he represents the winning run he will gamble for an extra base, if he knows that the outfielder who must make the throw has a weak or inaccurate arm.

When he is on second base the good base runner gets a fast enough start so he can score on a ground single between the shortstop and the third baseman. At the same time, he does not let himself get trapped if either infielder should reach the ball.

Rounding first base after hitting a single to right-center field the good base runner does not run with his head down. Before setting sail for extra bases he watches to see if the ball is going between the outfielders. Or, if one of the outfielders intercepts the ball, he notices which one.

If the center fielder handles it, the good base runner usually will try for second, because he knows the center fielder must grab the ball while running away from the infield and so will not be in position or balance to make a successful throw. But if he sees the right fielder is handling the ball, he probably will hold up because he knows the right fielder has the play in front of him and will be in position to throw without a split second’s lost motion. And split seconds decide plays, ball games and pennants.

In base stealing, as in base running, the same factors count: judgment, percentage and team welfare. If we’re two runs behind in the ninth and I’m on first base with two outs and Yogi Berra is at bat, I’d be foolish to try to steal. If I should succeed, I’d be in scoring position, but ONE run is no good. We need TWO. And if I am thrown out, the game is over. Our best bet is for Yogi to hit a two-run homer and tie the score. My play is to stay on first and give him a chance to do it.

In contrast, suppose the score is tied in the ninth and I’m on second base with one out and a long fly ball hitter is at bat. Any kind of a base hit, of course, will score me. Yet, if I can get to third, I don’t necessarily need a hit to score. I can score also on a long fly. Or on a wild pitch, a passed ball or an error. So, it is good strategy for me to attempt to steal third, provided I can get a good lead on the pitcher.

So, before rating a player a good base runner, don’t rely only on his speed and stolen base records, but

Read the Outfielder
  1. 1The pitch comes in with a runner on first.
  2. 2A hard single splits the right-center gap. Both outfielders break on it; the runner takes off for second, watching which of them ends up with it.
  3. 3The center fielder called off the right fielder and is handling it himself, still running away from the infield -- a heads-up runner rounds second and goes for third.
  4. 4He reaches the ball still moving away from the infield, off balance, and has to plant and turn before he can throw.
  5. 5By the time his throw is away the runner is already sliding into third, well ahead of it.
Adapted from the diagram on page 21: “If center fielder, who is not in position to throw, handles single to right-center, heads-up runner is more apt to try for the extra base.”