1. Loose and Fundamental
You should run the bases with good form but a relaxed body. Take a deep breath just before you leave the base. The correct running form is much like a sprinter in track. You should run on the balls of your feet while pumping your arms like a piston in an engine. Move the hand no higher than your shoulder and no farther back than the hips. Keep your shoulders and hips level and square with the baseline. A good baserunner stays balanced, in control and loose when running the bases.
2. Find the Baseball
If you take off from a base without knowing where the baseball is, you risk an unnecessary out. One of the oldest trick plays in baseball is the hidden ball trick. This is when a defensive player pretends to throw the ball but instead keeps it and when you step off the base, he or she tags you out. So, be sure to locate the baseball before making any baserunning decisions.
3. Know the Count and See the Signs
Knowing what the balls and strike count are in a particular at-bat can give the baserunner an advantage. If the pitch count is three balls and no strikes then chances are that pitch will be a fastball. A fastball usually means a hard hit baseball that gives you less time to reach the next base. Also understanding what play is called by the base coach is very important. There are specific calls that require a runner to leave the base early.
4. Difference in Base Rules
A player can run past first base on a hit and not worry about being tagged out as long as he continues down the base line after passing the bag and doesn't round the bag and start moving toward second base. This is not true for second or third base. Once you reach these two bases, you must stay on the base or you risk the tag out. You can call timeout on these bases if you need to step off the base. At home plate all you have to do is touch any part of the plate and you are safe. You do not need to stay on this base. Finally, each time you pass a base you must touch that base even if you do not stay on it.
5. Tagging Up
If the batter hits the baseball to the outfield and it is deep enough for you move to the next base, you can tag up and move to the next base, provided you stay on the base until the fielder catches the fly ball. Make sure to check the fielder and, as you are running towards the next base, peek at the incoming throw. If you judge that the throw is going to beat you to the base, return to the previous base.
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