Leads Off of 3rd Base
The primary lead off of 3rd base is a simple walk leading into foul territory. The distance off of the base depends on what kind of secondary lead you are going to take. You can take one of three types of leads; an aggressive secondary, a conservative secondary, and a “go on contact.” What separates each is the distance the secondary is off of 3rd base. This ultimately depends on the situation of the game, the distance the 3rd basemen is playing off of 3rd base, and the style of play by the 3rd base coach.
Taking a secondary lead at 3rd base is as simple as taking a step with the left foot over the right foot towards home plate, thus putting the baserunner in foul territory facing home plate. Each type of secondary lead will require a specific mind set when reacting to the pitch. The baserunner will key in on different factors. If the pitch has been completed, and the batter did not put the ball in play, the baserunner at 3rd base needs to return to fair territory. This is done to prevent the catcher from picking off the baserunner. The baserunner puts himself in the way of the throw, making it difficult for the 3rd basemen to catch the ball.
Conservative Lead - ( 1 )
The conservative lead is usually done when there is a runner on 3rd with no outs, or occasionally with one out and good hitters coming up to the plate. This is one of the most common leads a baseball player will take at 3rd base. When taking this secondary lead, the baserunner can only end up as far as the 3rd basemen is playing away from the base. The reason the baserunner needs to stay the same distance as the 3rd basemen is to guard against the line out double play. The line out double play is when the batter hits a line drive, usually to the pitcher or 3rd basemen, and the 3rd basemen beats the baserunner to 3rd base with the ball, or the baserunner is thrown out by the pitcher. This occurrence is a rally killer, and can be prevented by shortening up the distance off of 3rd base. Generally in this situation the infield may be playing in and the baserunner is told by the 3rd base coach to “see the ball through the infield.” Therefore, there is no reason to risk taking a lead off of 3rd base any farther than the 3rd baseman is playing defense from the bag. This is the simplest of the leads and requires the least amount of effort. Just a simple cross over step while anticipating a line out double play.
Aggressive lead - ( 2 )
This lead is almost always done with two outs, and sometimes done with one out, depending on the situation of the game. When taking this secondary lead the baserunner is no longer concerned with the line out double play. Instead, the baserunner is anticipating a passed ball by the catcher to advance to home plate and score a run. The distance of this lead is further than the 3rd basemen is playing off of 3rd base. When taking this lead it is important that the baserunner ends up with their momentum towards home, allowing quick reaction if the ball gets by the catcher. A common mistake with this lead is the baserunner getting too far off of 3rd base and retreating back towards 3rd base before the ball crosses the plate. In this scenario, if the ball gets passed the catcher the baserunner has to redirect back towards home, after retreating back to 3rd base, resulting in either a missed opportunity to score a run, or a decreased chance of being safe on a play at the plate. This lead should be taken by walking off the bag towards home, ending in a cross over step. The distance is dictated by the baserunners quickness and the catchers arm to 3rd base. The biggest concern in this case is getting picked off by the catcher, so always use you best judgment.
Go on contact lead - ( 3 )
This lead is taken when there is one out. This is not a very commonly used secondary lead, but with a speedy runner on 3rd base and a runner on 2nd base, this aggressive style of baserunning can result in a big inning. This lead requires all of the traits involved in the aggressive lead. This means, the secondary lead will be further than the 3rd baseman is from 3rd base. The only difference is the baserunner will take a small shuffle towards home plate when the ball crosses the hitting zone. This small shuffle is moving the runner towards home plate, building up momentum, so that when the ball is hit the runner is ready to take off towards home. The 3rd base coach is gambling that the batter will hit the ball on the ground. With the infield playing in, the hope is that the runner can beat a throw from an infielder if they field a batted ground ball. The 3rd base coach is also anticipating that if a fly ball is hit the baserunner will make it back to 3rd base to tag up because there is one out. This play is designed to put a lot of pressure on the infield to make a clean play and accurate throw to the catcher. Remember baserunners, this lead will take you far off of 3rd base so be alert if the ball isn’t hit.
