Game version
Base-path signals: a partner calls “go” or “stay” and you round the bases or hold, smoothly. Swap callers.
Reading a Ball in the Dirt
Read a pitch that bounces in the dirt and decide fast whether to take the next base.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Take your lead and secondary lead off first.
Core: To second. , with a full rest between. Aim for smooth turns.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Base, balls, catcher, partner
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Base Running
The steps
How it works
- Take your lead and secondary lead off first.
- A partner throws some pitches into the dirt in front of the catcher.
- Go on balls that bounce away; hold on ones the catcher smothers.
- Do 15 reads.
Coaching point
Read down, then go hard.
Safety: Warm up first and rest fully between runs. Stop if a muscle feels tight. On hot days drink water and rest in the shade, and stop if you feel dizzy or get a headache. If you hear thunder, go inside.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (to first), Core (to second), More (to third), with a full rest between. Aim for smooth turns.
Story
You are a base runner reading the coach’s signals.
My best
Beat your own count
, with a full rest between. Aim for smooth turns. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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