Run through first
Ready when: Tee hitting (b3) started.
What you are learning
After a hit the batter drops the bat and runs hard to first base, touches it and runs straight past. Running through first base is faster and safer than stopping on it or diving at it.
Words on this card Batter, Fielder, Bases, Home spot, Tee
- Batter
- The player trying to hit the ball.
- Fielder
- A player on the team in the field, trying to get batters and runners out.
- Bases
- The four corners the runners must reach in order. A cone or a flat shoe can be a base.
- Home spot
- Where the batter stands, and the last base a runner reaches to score.
- Tee
- A stand that holds the ball still for the batter to hit.
Set up
A home spot, a cone for first base 8 m away; a stop line a few steps beyond it.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Stand at the home spot as if you have just hit, and drop the bat to the side.
- Sprint straight at first base.
- Touch the base with your foot without slowing down, and keep running to the stop line.
- Slow down only after the stop line, then walk back.
Your part while they practise
Be the caller; say "go" when the child hits.
Step by step
- Jog round all the bases, calling each base's name.
- Hit or tap the ball off the tee.
- Drop the bat and run hard at once.
- Run through first base, touching it with the foot.
- Slow down only after the stop line.
How much: 5 runs, 3 rounds 8 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Beat the throw
The batter hits and runs at once while a fielder fetches the ball and throws to a player at first; the runner is safe if they arrive first.
Who plays: 3 or more: a batter, a fielder and a first-base player. Rotate after 3 hits.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- The batter hits off the tee, drops the bat and runs
- The fielder fetches the ball and throws to the first-base player
- The first-base player catches with one foot touching the base
- If the runner touches first before the catch, they are safe; if not, they are out
- Fair play
- A grown-up fielder rolls the ball to first instead of throwing it.
- Points
- The batter scores 1 point for each time safe at first. The fielder and first-base player each score 1 point for each out.
- Fouls
-
- The batter is out if they throw the bat, miss the base, or stop on the base or dive
- A fielder who throws the ball at the runner gives the runner a point
- Winning
- The most points after everyone has batted 6 times.
- 2 points for 1 star
- 3 points for 2 stars
- 5 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Shorter distance.
Add a second base on a call.
What you will see, and what to say
- the child slows before the base
Run past the bag
Aim at the stop line, not the base. - they stop on the base or dive
Run through, then jog
Touch it at full speed and keep going.
Self-check
5 runs in a row through the base without slowing.
Stop and get a coach when
Pain in the ankle or knee after the run.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains running, starting, base awareness.
Basic is done when the child meets the self-checks on b1 to b3.
awiseathlete.com/sports/baseball-softball/baseball-softball-b4