Share a simple plan
Before the pitch, the hitter, runner and base coach should know the sign and the likely next decision. A sign is useful only if everyone understands it.
Learn first
Learn the skill
Read these ideas, then try the situations below. Practice with a coach when a movement is new.
Quiz Mode: try each answer before checking the explanation.
Coach View: use the answers and teaching notes to guide practice.
Coach safely from the box
A base coach starts inside the coach's box and leaves only as the governing rule permits for a play at that base. A player serving as base coach wears a protective helmet. Give a voice or hand signal; do not push, hold or touch a runner to help them advance or return, because physical assistance can put the runner out.
Coach one decision at a time
A base coach watches the ball and fielders, then gives an early, clear stop or go call. A runner also watches the ball and must not wait until a throw is already arriving to decide.
See example: A clear base-coach decision
Match contact to the situation
With a runner at third, talk through a ground ball, a caught fly and a ball through the infield. The number of outs changes whether the runner can advance safely.
Finish the live play
In Minor League AA and AAA, the batter is out on strike three whether caught or not. Keep watching the ball and other runners until the actual play ends; a batter-out call does not by itself stop every other live play.
Practice it here
Before a slow coach toss, have the hitter and base coach agree on one stop or go signal. After contact, the coach calls early while the runner checks the ball.
Situation 01
Make the sign clear
The batter and runner both look for the coach's signal before play resumes. A player who missed it uses the agreed reset request.
- 1 Home to first
- 2 First to second
- 3 Second to third
- 4 Third to home
Coach answer: Asking for the sign again through the team's routine Ask for a sign again through the team's routine rather than guessing and sending teammates different messages.
Coaching Points
Rehearse the reset request as part of the signs, not as a failure.
Common Mistakes
A missed sign can create a safety and coordination problem.
Alternative Considerations
Keep early-season sign sets small; add complexity only when understood.
Coaching tip
Situation 02
Wait for legal departure
The pitcher is on the plate with the ball and the catcher is ready in the box. You coach a Minor runner at first.
Coach answer: Stay on base until the pitch reaches the batter An AA runner stays on base until the delivered pitch reaches the batter. The coach and runner use that same timing.
Coaching Points
Rehearse the actual timing with a slow demonstration.
Common Mistakes
A delivery beginning is not the same as the pitch reaching the batter.
Alternative Considerations
AA adds its later local stealing conditions; satisfying the national timing alone does not permit every advance.
Related rule or safety source: Leaving a base Leaving a base
Situation 03
Give a runner one decision
A third-base coach sees the ball, relay and runner approaching. The coach uses the team's agreed stop or send signal clearly and early.
Coach answer: A visible, timely decision the runner can follow An early, visible stop or go call gives the runner time to act before a throw reaches the base.
Coaching Points
Practice communication with a jogging runner before adding a live relay.
Common Mistakes
Conflicting voice and hand signals make the decision harder.
Alternative Considerations
Aggressiveness depends on score, outs and player readiness; it is not a universal send rule.
Coaching tip
Situation 04
Name the contact-play plan
Before a situational rep, the coach tells the runner whether to read the ball first or act on a specific contact cue. Everyone repeats the instruction.
Coach answer: Name the cue, the safe fallback and who communicates it A contact play needs one cue, a safe fallback and a person who gives the call. The runner can then react consistently.
Coaching Points
Walk the scenario and then ask what changes on a line drive or a missed sign.
Common Mistakes
A slogan is not a complete base-running decision.
Alternative Considerations
Do not run a high-risk team play until the simpler read is reliable.
Coaching tip
Situation 05
Handle four balls
An AA player pitcher throws ball four with one strike already on the batter.
Coach answer: Coach pitching begins with the existing strike count In AA, the coach begins pitching after four balls while the batter keeps the strike count already reached.
Coaching Points
AA uses the coach-pitch transition instead of a walk. The adult maintains the count.
Common Mistakes
Do not apply another division's familiar result without checking this one.
Alternative Considerations
The coach-pitch delivery and unhittable-pitch redo provisions also matter; read the source notes.
Related rule or safety source: Pitching limits
Situation 06
Use this local batting instruction
In an SLVLL AA game, the coach says no bunting and no fake bunt followed by a full swing.
Coach answer: Use a controlled contact swing without showing bunt Follow the coached station instruction. Before a game, ask which written batting rule applies to this division.
Coaching Points
Explain the local instruction before the rep, then give one movement cue.
Common Mistakes
Do not invent a national rule number for a local restriction.
Alternative Considerations
Ask which rules apply before an interleague or tournament game.
Related rule or safety source: Batting Amendments
Finish line
You reached the end of Lesson 5 of 8: Team Offense & Base Coaching
Go on to lesson 6, or return to the AA Dugout. Review any part from the Sections menu.
Connect learning and practice
Practice this skill
Explain a count decision or a coach-selected team situation.
Read the complete setup, equipment and stop instructions before activity. A missed question never prescribes extra throwing.