Hit-and-Run
Also known as: run-and-hit
A hit-and-run is a play call in which a baserunner takes off toward the next base as the pitch is thrown, and the hitter is required to swing and make contact — ideally putting the ball in play on the ground — to protect the runner.
The hit-and-run trades some risk for offensive pressure: because the runner is already moving, a ground ball that would normally be fielded and thrown to force the runner at second instead finds a hole, since the middle infielder covering the bag has to break toward it rather than staying in fielding position. The hitter'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, which would leave the runner an easy target to be doubled off.
The play carries genuine risk: if the hitter swings and misses or fouls the pitch off, the runner is often left exposed to being thrown out stealing, since the runner committed to going before knowing whether contact would be made. Coaches typically call the hit-and-run with a reliable contact hitter at the plate and a decent, not necessarily fast, runner on base, and situational awareness of the count matters — a hit-and-run 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 hit-and-run sign; the runner breaks for second as the pitch is delivered, and the hitter fights off an inside fastball to slap a ground ball through the vacated shortstop hole.
Why it matters
The hit-and-run is a tool for manufacturing offense against a defense that would otherwise easily field a routine ground ball, but it requires disciplined contact hitting and good situational timing to execute safely.
Common mistakes
- Calling the hit-and-run with a hitter who has a low contact rate, since a swing-and-miss leaves the runner in serious danger of being thrown out.
- Executing the play in a count where the hitter is likely to see a pitch far out of the strike zone, which 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 hitter's at-bat is unaffected and can take the pitch. On a hit-and-run, the hitter is required to swing and make contact to protect the runner, regardless of pitch location.
Related terms
- Situational HittingSituational hitting is adjusting a hitter's approach — swing decision, target location, and aggressiveness — to match the specific game situation, such as the count, number of outs, and where runners are, rather than swinging the same way in every at-bat.
- 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 accomplishes something for the team — advancing a runner, scoring a run, or moving a runner into scoring position — rather than simply ending the at-bat with no benefit.
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