A runner on second has to decide on every batted ball: stay, advance, or score. The decision happens in the first half-second after the bat hits the ball. Reading the ball off the bat is what separates good base runners from cautious ones.
What you need: Diamond setup. Coach with a bat at home plate. Runner on second base. A few fielders.
Setup: Standard infield with all four bases.
How to run it:
- Coach hits a ground ball, line drive, or fly ball randomly.
- Runner on second has to read the ball and decide:
- Ground ball to short (in front of runner): freeze, the runner is at risk.
- Ground ball through the infield: advance to third, possibly home.
- Fly ball deep: tag up, decide after the catch.
- Line drive: freeze.
- Do 8 reps with random hits. Coach calls out “right” or “wrong” decision after each.
- Reset between reps.
- Last 2: full game speed with a complete defense reacting.
What to watch: Did the runner freeze on the line drive? That’s the most important read. If they break for third on a line drive caught by the shortstop, they’re doubled up at second.
If they’re struggling: Walk through each scenario one at a time. Hit only ground balls for one round, only fly balls for the next.
If they’ve got it: Add a runner on first too. Now both runners have to read and react together.