Hit-and-Run
Also known as: run-and-hit
A hit-and-run is a called play where the runner breaks with the pitch and the hitter must swing and make contact. Ideally a ground ball protects the runner.
The hit-and-run trades some risk for offensive pressure. Because the baserunner is already moving, the middle infielder covering the bag has to break toward it rather than staying in fielding position. So a ground ball that would normally be fielded and thrown to force the lead baserunner at second instead finds a hole. The batter's job is not necessarily to hit the ball hard. It is to make contact somewhere on the ground and avoid popping the ball up. A pop-up would leave an easy double play at first.
The play carries genuine risk. If the batter swings and misses or fouls the pitch off, the baserunner is often hung out and thrown out stealing. The break was committed before anyone knew whether contact would come. Coaches usually call it with a reliable contact hitter at the plate and a decent, not necessarily fast, runner on base. Situational awareness of the count matters too. Calling it in a count where the batter is likely to see a pitch out of the zone raises the risk of a missed swing considerably.
Example
With a runner on first and one out, the coach flashes the sign. The baserunner breaks for second as the pitch is delivered. The batter fights off an inside fastball to slap a ground ball through the vacated shortstop hole.
Why it matters
It is a tool for manufacturing offense against a defense that would otherwise easily field a routine ground ball. It requires disciplined contact hitting and good situational timing to execute safely.
Common mistakes
- Calling the play with a batter who has a low contact rate, since a swing-and-miss leaves the baserunner hung out between bases.
- Executing it in a count where the batter is likely to see a pitch far out of the strike zone. This sharply raises the odds of a missed or poor swing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a hit-and-run and a straight steal?
On a straight steal, the batter's at-bat is unaffected and can take the pitch. On a hit-and-run, the batter must swing and make contact to protect the baserunner, regardless of pitch location.
Related terms
- Situational HittingSituational hitting is matching a hitter's approach to the count, outs, and runners. Swing decisions, target, and aggressiveness change rather than staying fixed.
- Baserunning ReadA baserunning read is the split-second decision a runner makes based on what the ball does after contact — whether to advance, hold, or retreat.
- Secondary LeadThe secondary lead is the movement a baserunner takes as the pitch crosses the plate. A walking step or shuffle that adds momentum toward the next base the moment contact is made.
- Productive OutA productive out is an out that still helps the team. It might advance a runner, score a run, or move a runner into scoring position.
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