Incorporating Base Running Drills into Daily Practice Sessions | Brian Femi

In this session, Coach Brian Femi emphasizes the importance of smart base running to create scoring opportunities, especially for teams that may not have the strongest players. He introduces the “advance, be late” strategy, which ensures baserunners avoid leaving early and being called out by umpires. He also discusses the challenges of dealing with poor outfield arms and how third base coaches should anticipate these situations. A key concept covered is the “change it up” or contact play, where runners on second and third advance immediately on any down-angle hit, regardless of the infield’s positioning. This aggressive approach forces the defense to make plays under pressure, increasing the likelihood of errors and scoring opportunities.

Coach Femi also explains the strategic use of rundowns to advance baserunners. If a runner at third sees the ball arrive before them, they should stop and engage in a rundown, allowing their teammate to advance safely to second base. This tactic has proven highly effective, with very few outs recorded at third or home over the years. He stresses the importance of practicing these plays, as many teams struggle with defensive execution in these situations. The session concludes with Coach Femi offering his materials for further learning, reinforcing that these strategies are essential for teams looking to maximize their offensive potential through intelligent base running.

Guide to Prioritizing Baserunning in Practice - PDF/ DOCX