Softball Baserunning Drills – Base Race

Purpose: To teach baserunners to cut tight corners and get around the bases as fast as possible. This drill works on the basics of base running.

Procedure: Set up an infield with no pitcher. Your baserunner tosses the ball to herself and hits a ground ball. She then takes off around the bases as fast as she can, going from first to second to third to home. The infield also circles the bases with their throws, trying to get the ball to home plate before the runner gets there. If it's an inexperienced team, it should be about even. More advanced teams have to take the ball back to first each time – that means, field it, go to first, go to second, back to first, go to third, back to first, and then home. The person who fields the ball is not allowed to be involved in covering a base, just as it is in a game. Every baserunner who makes it home before the ball gets a point. Make it a contest to see who can get the most points.