Baseball can be a complicated game with analytics, launch angles, and advanced scouting reports. But at its core, winning baseball still follows a simple formula: Get them on, move them over, and score them.
This age-old approach has been the foundation of championship teams for generations. Let’s break it down and see why it’s still one of the most effective strategies in the game today.
Step 1: Get Them On
You can’t score runs if you don’t have baserunners. This is why the ability to get on base is one of the most valuable skills in baseball. Whether it’s through a base hit, a walk, a hit-by-pitch, or even reaching on an error, getting that first runner aboard starts the engine of an offense.
How to Get on Base:
- Be a Tough Out: Work the count, foul off tough pitches, and don’t be afraid to take a walk.
- Put the Ball in Play: Strikeouts don’t advance runners; ground balls and line drives give you a chance.
- Use Your Speed: A bunt or infield hit can be just as valuable as a double.
- Be Disciplined at the Plate: Know the strike zone and don’t chase bad pitches.
Great teams understand that OBP (On-Base Percentage) is king—if you’re not getting on base, you’re not scoring runs. And as the saying goes, you can’t steal first base!
Step 2: Move Them Over
Once a runner is on, the job isn’t done. The next step is advancing the runner into scoring position so that a single can bring them home. This is where baseball IQ, unselfish play, and execution come into play.
Ways to Move a Runner Over:
- Sacrifice Bunts: A small ball strategy that still has a place in the game, especially in tight situations.
- Hit-and-Run: Putting the ball in play while the runner is moving can open up holes in the defense.
- Productive Outs: A ground ball to the right side or a deep fly ball can be just as important as a hit.
- Smart Baserunning: Taking an extra base on a ball in the dirt or recognizing defensive mistakes can make the difference between scoring and being stranded.
Moving runners over is about team-first baseball—it’s not about padding your stats but putting your team in the best position to win.
Step 3: Score Them
Now comes the fun part: bringing that runner home. This is what separates good teams from great ones—the ability to cash in on scoring opportunities.
Ways to Drive in Runs:
- Situational Hitting: A well-placed ground ball or fly ball can do the job when the infield or outfield is playing back.
- Clutch Hitting: A single up the middle with a runner on second gets the job done.
- Aggressive Baserunning: A well-timed steal or taking home on a wild pitch can change the game.
- Sacrifice Fly: If there’s a runner on third with less than two outs, just put the ball in the air deep enough to get them home.
Scoring runs is about execution and making the most of every opportunity. The best teams don’t waste chances—they capitalize on them.
The Beauty of the Formula
This approach isn’t flashy, but it wins ballgames. It’s the strategy that has fueled dynasties, from the Yankees of the ‘50s to the Cardinals of the ‘80s to championship teams today. Even in an era of home runs and power hitters, the teams that execute fundamental baseball are the ones playing deep into October.
If you’re a player, coach, or parent teaching the game, remember that baseball doesn’t have to be complicated. Get them on. Move them over. Score them. Do that consistently, and you’ll find yourself in the win column more often than not.
