July 16, 2011
Tips from the pros: Jeremy Hazelbaker on baserunning
by David Laurila/
Sea Dogs outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker says base stealing requires a lot of trial and error. (photo: DVM Sports)
Base running and base stealing are important facets of the game, and Portland Sea Dogs outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker has them down to a science.
The 23-year-old speedster was named the 2010 Red Sox Minor League Base Runner of the Year after swiping 63 bases at high-A Salem.
In the latest installment of Tips from the Pros, Hazelbaker goes over the fine points of the running game.
On the key to being a good base stealer: “It obviously helps to be fast, but a key is knowing when to go. You need to know the best situations to run and that comes with a lot of trial and error. Base running is something, especially when it comes to stealing, that you just gradually become good at over time.”
On taking a lead: “I like to get three or four steps off the base, which is about even with the cut of the dirt. I like to have a bit of an open stance with my right foot, which is my lead foot, about three or four inches behind my left foot. My weight is about 70-30 on my lead leg when I’m stealing. If I’m not going, it’s usually about 50-50 so it’s easier to go back if he tries to pick me off. From experience, I’ve gained the ability to lean and still get back to the bag.”
On reading the pitcher: “You have to check out the pitcher, and it helps if you’ve seen him before and know his move to first base. If he has really quick feet, you’re not going to get off as far. If he has quick feet, but not good speed and accuracy picking over, you can get a normal lead. You can usually get a bigger lead on a larger guy, because a larger guy is probably going to have slower feet. Either way, you have to get a read.
“You have to know the catcher’s arm. That goes for not only throwing down to second base, but you have to be cautious of a back pick, of the catcher throwing to first base behind you.”
On the first step: “There is some question of whether you should step with your front foot, as far as twisting it and spinning, or just going straight with your left foot. For me, the less movement the better. That’s why I have my body and feet turned a little bit. Instead of being squared up to home plate, they’re at an angle a little more between the mound and home plate. My first step is with my back leg; my left foot is coming across. That’s my first movement as I throw my hands and twist my hips and shoulders around.”
On focus and concentration: “Your focus and concentration have to be just as pinpoint as they are when you’re hitting. I hate to take my eyes off the pitcher; I hate to even blink. I’m focused. I’m keying on things like whether his back foot moves first when he’s going to home plate, or if he turns his back shoulder when he’s coming over on a pickoff. You want to focus in on that little area, on that aspect of the pitcher, so you know if you can get a better jump.”
On looking and listening on the go: “Once I start running, I don’t take my eyes off second base. Middle infielders, especially as you climb up the ladder, will sometimes have a delayed reaction going over to cover, trying to catch the base runner off-guard. For that reason, you shouldn’t key on them.
“I’m listening for the pop of the (catcher’s) glove or the crack of the bat. You have to listen, because if the batter hits the ball, you have to pick it up. You also have to be aware of your third-base coach. He might be yelling, ‘Back, back, back’ if it’s a pop fly. If I hear the pop of the mitt, I’m just full bore into second base. I’m not thinking about anything else besides getting my steps right and sliding into the base.”
On sliding: “At the youth level, whether you slide feet first or head first might be dictated by the coach, or it might just be what feels most comfortable for you. At this level, it’s dictated by the organization, and the Red Sox want you to go feet first. It’s primarily a safety thing, because you don’t want to risk hurting a wrist or breaking a finger.
“Either way, you want to time it up so you’re not sliding late into the bag, or sliding too early. You want to make sure you have a pop-up slide if you go feet first, so that you can see the ball if it goes into the outfield. You might have a chance to go to third base.”
On sliding into first base: “In my mind, you should never slide into first base. Maybe if there’s a throw up the line where you can get down to avoid the tag, but that’s the only time. You’re going to get to the bag faster just running through it. You actually slow yourself down by diving in there, and you always want your momentum moving toward the base.”
On going base to base: “To be a good base runner, you have to be aggressive, and it’s also important to get a good read. They teach us to pick up the outfielders as soon as we get on base. When you hear the crack of the bat, you’re moving and seeing where the ball is. You should already know how good his arm is.
“Going from second to home, I like to get my round before I touch third, so that it’s a straight line from third to home. The quickest way possible is what it’s all about. Same from first to third. You want to cut the (second base) bag and get there as efficiently as you can.”
This article originally appeared in the July 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal.
David Laurila can be reached at feedback@baseballjournal.com
