Getting a bang out of a bang-bang call.

Baseball players can reach first base in a variety of ways: Single, base on balls, passed ball on a third strike, hit by pitcher, catcher interference, and error.

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On at least five of these occasions, the runner won't be required to go all out to first. But on the infield single, ground ball, or passed ball, he will have to run to first as fast as he can.

It will take the runner anywhere from 3.9 to 4.4 seconds to make the trip from the batter's box to the touch at first. That means that the infielder will have to field the ball and throw to first base in less than 4.4 to nail the runner--who will be flying.

At Page HS, we have seven rules for getting down the line.

Rule #1: The runner should come out of the batter's box with his back foot. The left-handed hitter will have to cross his left foot over his right foot, while the right-handed hitter will step toward first with his right foot.

Our philosophy for the step with the back foot is that it will allow the hitter/runner to make a balanced and smooth transition from bat-ball contact to the initial running phase.

Rule #2: The runner should check to see where the ball is located.

After the runner has completed the acceleration phase, he should look for the ball. This will tell him what kind of mechanics to utilize--to run straight through the bag or make a turn at the bag.

If the ball is in the infield, the runner should drive straight for the bag. If the ball gets by the infield, the runner should start concentrating on a quality turn at first.

Rule #3: The runner should run loose and relaxed.

Once the runner has established that the ball has not exited the infield, he must run in a straight line to the bag--keeping his body relaxed with his weight over the balls of his feet, body leaning forward, arms pumping north and south. He looks straight ahead with his head and neck loose but not wobbly.

Rule #4: The runner must focus on hitting the front part of the bag.

Once the runner has established that it's going to be a bang-bang play, he must focus on making it to the bag before the ball does. The runner must run hard in a loose and relaxed manner and touch the front part of first base with the ball of his foot. It does not matter which foot touches first base, just as long as the front portion of the foot hits the base squarely.

We teach our runners to run straight through the base, not jump or slow down to step on the base with the dominant foot. Either of these techniques will slow the runner down dramatically and make him lose the call.

Rule #5: Watch the first baseman:

Once the runner has established the closeness of the play, the runner must take into consideration the movement of the first baseman. If the first baseman stays on the infield side of first base or jumps high in line with the base and comes back down on top of the base, the runner must continue to run through the base.

If the first baseman moves up the line and jumps to catch the ball, the runner should consider sliding to the opposite side of the baseman. If the first baseman is on the right side (out side) of the baseline, the runner can slide in on the left side (inside). If the baseman is on the inside (left side), the runner can slide to the right side (out side).

One important note to make: it is faster and safer to run through the base than to slide. However, this is one instance that would allow the runner to avoid a collision and have an opportunity to take advantage of a bad throw.

Rule #6: Run hard through first base:

Running hard through the base is essential. Most runners have a tendency to slow down just before contacting the front portion of the base, allowing the defense to get the call they want on the bang-bang play. To avoid this from occurring, it would be wise for the runner to pick out a spot behind first base down by the grass line between the infield and outfield. This will allow the runner to run hard and strong past the base.

Rule #7: Spread the feet and look to the right:

The final rule that we teach, after the runner has passed the base, is to spread his feet to help slow down and look to his right. This will allow the runner to see if the ball has skipped past the first baseman or if the ball was thrown over his head.

If the ball gets past the baseman, the runner will be able to see and react almost spontaneously. It is much easier for the runner to see the ball and react to it than to rely on the coach telling him to go to second base.

The runner knows his speed and he can judge the distance between the first baseman and the ball much better than having someone yelling at him to either stay at first base or take off for second.

These are the rules that we teach our kids at Page High School. Every coach has his own philosophy about how to get to first base on a ball hit to the infield. We believe in helping our guys run as hard as they can to reach first base. A runner cannot steal first base, but he can steal a call by hustling down the line with all the proper mechanics.

By William Hardin, Baseball Coach, Page H.S., Greensboro, NC