- by Rick Johnston , The Baseball Zone

• A good hitter should never sacrifice a good balanced swing at the expense of getting out of the batters box quickly
• Controlled dynamic balance at swing completion will assist in exiting the batters box quickly
• The first step out of the batters box will always occur with the rear foot
• A right-handed hitter ("RHH") positioned from the middle of the batters box to near the front will take the step with the right foot in front of the plate.
• A RHH positioned near the back of the batters box will take the step with the right foot behind the plate.
• At no time should a hitter step on the plate as they release towards first base. The plate is flat and does not permit the hitter any leverage to push off like the ground does

• A RHH should make sure their first step is parallel to the foul line.  This will ensure the first two steps and subsequent steps are in a point-to-point direction toward first base
• A left-handed hitter ("LHH") should pivot on the right foot and crossover with the right foot making sure to hit the "chalk line" with the crossover step.  This will ensure a point-to-point direction toward first base.
• All hitters must avoid the "question mark" release from the batters box.  That is, when the hitter takes their first two steps toward the pitcher, followed by "righting" themselves in the direction of first base.
• Every hitter must endeavor to run hard out of the batters box with short, explosive steps ensuring maximum balance and quickness is attained from the onset
• The batter/runner must get in the habit of running hard from point A to point B on every batted ball.  Running hard will force the defence to rush through the fielding position.

• The batter/runner never knows which batted balls the defence will "kick"
• Running hard from the onset puts the batter/runner in an offensive position to capitalize on any defensive miscues.  Running hard sets it all up
• The batter/runner must be observant to the 45' restriction lane.  They are entitled to that lane.  If the ball hits them while in that designated area, the ball is live
• It is the judgment of the umpire as to whether the batter/runner maintains that lane. It is a good habit to practice running in the designated lane
• Batter/runners need to be especially aware of this rule on bunted balls, tapped balls and third strikes in the dirt

• When the ball is hit, the "sneak a peak" is a function of how hard the ball is hit and where the ball is hit, RATHER THAN on the third step - i.e. the third step on a line drive is too late
• The batter/runner needs to coordinate his peak or his first "look zone" to that of the ball.  The peak should be timed to the exact point the infielder is set to field the ball.  This takes time and practice to get the timing of this glance
• By getting the timing exact, the batter/runner is then able to make the in-flight adjustment on his route if the ball gets past the infielder
• Naturally if the ball is fielded by an infielder, the continued travel route is point-to-point
• If the ball were to get past an infielder, the route would change to create an "angle turn"
• On batted balls where the batter/runner loses visual orientation, he should immediately look to the first base coach for visual and/or verbal commands
• If the ball is fielded by an infielder with the primary out to be made at first base, the batter/runner must use good running form on his route to first base
• Good running form requires relaxed, explosive movements with fluid arm action and running strides that eat up ground
• The arms should move back and forth like pistons moving in a direction from "hips to lips"
• The arms should always be at 45 degrees.  They should not straighten out on the down swing.  Once they straighten out, it takes more time and energy to bring them back to an angle at or near 45 degrees
• The key to quickness down the line is how fluid the body moves

• As the batter/runner gets closer to first base, the second "look zone" occurs.  At this time the batter/runner should key on the feet of the first baseman.
  
• If the feet maintain contact with the base, then it can be assumed the throw is directly at the first baseman.
• If the feet release off the base, it can be assumed the throw is off line and that the batter/runner should prepare to avoid a swipe tag or collision
• The batter/runner should avoid the tag or collision by veering slightly off the point-to-point route or slide
• If a slide is necessary a head first attempt should be avoided.  It only serves to cause shoulder, hand or arm injuries
• At no other time should a batter/runner slide into first base.  Does the Olympic sprinter slide across the finish line at the end of the 100 meter dash?

• As the batter/runner approaches first base any lunging or jumping to contact the base quicker only serves to slow them down.  Time in the air is valuable time lost on the ground
• The base should be contacted with either foot, making sure the front center of the base is touched.  The mid-portion of the foot should squarely hit the base, with the heel of the foot on the ground
• The batter/runner should visualize first base as being the finish line and begin to lean. The lean will ensure the head gets past the first baseman
• The batter/runner should attempt to coordinate the lean with the timing of the foot contacting the base
• The batter/runner should then proceed to "nod" the head, that is bring the chin to the chest to ensure the head gets past the base
• The batter/runner is trying to give an illusion to the umpire that they 'beat the ball'

• The third 'look zone' occurs immediately after the batter/runner contacts the base
• This 'look zone' occurs by quickly 'sighting' to the right looking for the under/over throw.
• The batter/runner should avoid the long carry-through beyond the base.  Instead they should sight, straddle (the line creating a wider controlled base), sit (lower center of gravity), shorten (chop the strides down) and stop within 3-4 strides of crossing first base

• If the batter/runner is safe, they simply turn around and walk back in a straight line to first base
• If the ball is under/overthrown, it is the sole responsibility of the batter/runner to determine if they can garner second base
• At no time should the batter/runner rely on the first base coach to verbally command them to go.  This information takes too long to process and then react
• All baserunners need to be cognizant of the type of fence, the depth and the height.  They should also be observant to the angle of the throw from an infielder.