Protecting base runners
Submitted by markglenn on Thu, 04/20/2006 - 8:36am.
All ages | Baseball | Batter Up | FUNdamentals 
There are two situations where a hitter must protect base runners. The first is the hit-and-run.
This works extremely well when the hitter can put the ball into the right side of the infield (preferably “behind” the base runner).
The coach puts the runner at first in motion while the hitter MUST swing at any pitch no matter the location.
The hitter MUST make contact with the pitch to protect the runner.
Swinging gets in the way of the catcher for just a split second.
The hesitation causes a good chance of the runner stealing a base safely.
The other situation is the suicide squeeze. This bunt involves a runner at third base. The coach sends the base runner to steal home.
The hitter MUST make contact to protect the runner from being thrown out at the plate.