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Baseball · Level 2: Elementary · Sub-level 2.5

Base Running

10 tests · 99 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown

Out of the box, reading the pitcher, the secondary lead, tagging up, balls in the dirt, first to third, scoring from second, avoiding tags, the base coaches' signals and base-running mistakes.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Out of the boxTake a test

  1. Home-to-first times show how much pressure a runner puts on infielders.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. Fast right-handed runners reach first in about 4.0 to 4.2 seconds; left-handers a little less.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. The left-handed batter's box is on the first base side, and the swing turns them that way.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. A small curve before the bag lets him turn hard towards second if the ball is bobbled.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. Running hard on every ball punishes any bobble or bad throw.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. Turning to watch the ball slows him down; the base coach will tell him if it gets away.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. In the last half of the run to first, the batter-runner should stay in the marked lane.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Sprint, curve, touch the corner, then read the outfielder.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. Bunting left-handers are quickest; slower players after a full swing take longest.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. Curving out lets him round first sharply if the outfielder bobbles the ball.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 2Reading the pitcherTake a test

  1. The first movement of the front leg towards home means he must pitch.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. A left-hander looks straight at the runner and can disguise his move.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. Small habits, like a head turn, can show whether he is throwing over or going home.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. Slow times to the plate give runners a chance to steal.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. Some runners walk out to their lead to start moving before the pitch.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. Diving back to first on pickoffs puts the hands at risk.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. A catcher's pop time is from the catch to the ball reaching the fielder at second.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Lead, read the first move, go, slide.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. The slower the delivery, the easier the steal.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. A right-hander's front heel lifting towards home means he is committed to pitch.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 3The secondary leadTake a test

  1. As the pitch goes in, the runner shuffles a few more steps off the base.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. Those extra steps help him take an extra base.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. He must be able to go on a ball in the dirt or dive back on a catcher's throw.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. Catchers watch for runners who drift too far after the pitch.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. He wants his feet set as the batter makes contact or misses.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. With no fielder on the bag, the runner at second can drift farther.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. Shuffling keeps him balanced and facing the plate.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Primary lead, shuffle, land, react.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. Leads grow as the pitch is made, and are biggest at second.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. Extending the lead as the pitch is made is the secondary lead.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 4Tagging upTake a test

  1. He must be on the base when the ball is caught, then he can run home.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. The coach watches the catch and shouts 'go!'

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. A long throw from right field to third gives him time.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. He may go as soon as the fielder first touches the ball.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. A fake break can make the outfielder throw to the wrong base.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. The deeper the fly, the longer the throw home.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. Only on very deep flies does a runner from first try for second.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Return, watch, go, slide.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. Staying on the base until the catch lets him run on the throw.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 5Balls in the dirtTake a test

  1. Runners judge how far a bouncing pitch will get past the catcher.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. If the ball does not get far, the catcher and pitcher can tag him at the plate.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. Runners learn to read the pitch's downward angle and break early.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. On a dropped third strike the catcher may have to throw to first.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. A ball that does not get away gives no time to advance.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. Pitchers bury breaking balls to get swings, which brings balls in the dirt.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. Being on the move gives him the extra step he needs.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Lead, see it bounce, read it, go.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. The farther the ball gets away, the easier the advance.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. A ball getting to the backstop gives a runner on first time to reach second.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 6First to thirdTake a test

  1. The throw from right field to third is long.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. The runner reads the play in front of him, and the coach helps when the ball is behind him.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. The left fielder's throw to third is short.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. If the outfielder moves to his glove side or must run far, he can try for third.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. From second he can score on most hits, so the risk at third is not worth it.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. With two outs a runner on second scores on most hits, so the extra base adds less.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. A hard turn puts him in position to go to third if the throw is late or wild.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Read, turn hard, check the coach, slide.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. The farther the outfielder from third, the better the chance.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. On a ball to right field, the coach tells him whether to keep going to third.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 7Scoring from secondTake a test

  1. With two outs, a catch ends the inning anyway, so he runs on contact.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. If the liner is caught, he must get back to second before the throw.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. Many runners take a lead slightly behind the line to round third quickly.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. With two outs, waiting for another hit is risky, so taking a chance at home makes more sense.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. Most outfield singles let a runner score from second.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. Outfielders playing in have a shorter throw home.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. A runner who ignores the coach's hold sign often runs into an out.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Contact, round third, read the coach, slide.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. With two outs he goes on contact; with no outs he can be more careful.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. With two outs, a caught ball ends the inning, so he runs as soon as it is hit.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 8Avoiding the tagTake a test

  1. Sliding away from where the throw arrives makes the tag harder.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. On a headfirst slide, the runner pulls one hand away and touches with the other.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. Where the fielder sets up tells the runner where the throw is going.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. Hands pushed down mean 'get down', slide.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. Hands and head meet shin guards and a fielder's knees.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. Rising quickly lets him run on if the throw gets past.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. A hook or feet-first slide to the edge can avoid an early tag.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Read the set-up, slide away, beat the tag.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. Going straight in headfirst at a waiting fielder is the riskiest.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. Pulling one hand away and reaching with the other is the swim move.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 9The base coaches' signalsTake a test

  1. Arms up means hold up at the base.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. A circling arm sends the runner on.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. 'Back!' tells the runner to dive back to first.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. A run of touches hides the real sign among decoys.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. Only the sign after the indicator counts.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. The wipe-off tells players to ignore the signs before it.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. When the play is behind the runner, the coach is his eyes.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Decoys, the indicator, then the live sign straight after it.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. Windmill sends him on, pointing says go with care, arms up means stop.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. Both arms raised is the stop sign.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Test 10Base-running mistakesTake a test

  1. A runner who strays on a caught line drive can be thrown out before he returns.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  2. Passing a preceding runner is an out.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  3. If the defence appeals, a runner who missed a base is out.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  4. A pickoff wastes a base runner without the batter doing anything.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  5. Over-aggressive running throws away base runners.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  6. From second he can score on a hit; risking the first out at third gains little.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  7. Freezing avoids being doubled off if it is caught.

    Source: General baseball reference · recall

  8. Running on a liner that is caught leaves him stranded off the base.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  9. A run thrown away at home in the ninth costs the most.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

  10. The fielder can throw to first before he gets back.

    Source: General baseball reference · applied

Sources

General baseball references, WBSC and league material, coaching manuals; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category.

  • General baseball reference99