- by Rick Johnston 

• Anytime a ball is hit in the air or as a clean base hit to the outfield, the batter/runner must automatically be thinking 'two' (2nd base) out of the batters box.
• As noted in previously, release quickly out of the batter's box, simply glance at the ball location, then quickly 'grab grass' to begin the initial stages of setting up the angle turn.
• The running route should be point to point ensuring the line is taken directly to the inside corner of the first base coach's box.  This will ensure a smooth, controlled arc approaching first base, while maintaining maximum speed.
• Angle turns will vary from player to player depending on their agility, ability, coordination and body type. Players with a lower center of gravity (shorter) may not veer out quite as far as the player who has a higher center of gravity (taller) and longer strides.

• As the runner gets closer to first base all thoughts must be on the base to ensure base contact is efficiently made.
• Efficient base contact is made when either foot is able to 'drape' over the second base side of first base, near the front inside corner. This will ensure maximum leverage is manufactured
• Either foot is permissible to 'drape' the base, although one can argue that one foot is better than the other. The key is the runner's ability to cut the corner while maintaining maximum speed and control
• The ability to create leverage off the base is the key to controlling both the direction and amount of pure acceleration a runner would get off the base

• As base contact is made, the runner should create a slight inward lean to assist in the direction of the first two steps past the base (one must think of a NASCAR race and examine the speeds these cars travel. The corners are banked allowing gravity to keep the cars on the track)
• As the runner contacts first base, the head will 'nod' slightly as the body is tilted or leaning inward, while the left arm drives up and inward.
• The runner must endeavor to control the first few steps beyond the base to ensure the direction to second base is as close to a point-to-point route as possible. The more the runner veers out toward right field, the more they must come back

• Depending on the batted ball location, the runner will want to 'challenge' the outfielder. That is, round the base aggressively with the intent to reach second base. The message in the runner's mind is "I am thinking two". Thinking two and getting two is achieved from the onset once the batter turns into an aggressive baserunner immediately after contact.
• Running hard from the onset puts an incredible amount of pressure on the defence. When this happens, often, the outfielder will pull his head up early, causing the glove to rise, permitting the ball to possibly roll under the glove or a bobble.
• On batted ball for base hits to left field, the runner should round first base and essentially try to get as close the ball as possible before being stopped. The rule is simple, "make the outfielder stop you"
• The runner should be stopped when they are able to see the ball in the hand of the outfielder in the throwing position.  That would essentially mean, the average runner should be well around first base.
• There is no cut and dried rule about how far the runner should round first base -- the rule should simply be "get as close to the ball as possible" before being stopped.

• The keys on all angle turns at first base is to challenge the outfielder, never assume they will field the ball and never be satisfied with one base -- always think 'two'.If you do have to stop...
• On the batted ball to left field, the runner would stop with the front side of the body facing the play or with the right foot forward, chest over thigh and nose over toes in a good athletic position.
• On batted balls to center field or right field, the runner would open up with the front side of the body facing the play, chest over thigh, nose over toes in a good athletic position, however, the left foot would now be forward.
• The length of the round will not be as far in center field as it would be in left field.
• The length of the round on a batted ball to right field will be less than center field, naturally, because of the proximity of the right fielder to first base. This batted ball location will cause the runner to be a little more cautious in his round, in the event the right fielder throws 'back door' or behind the runner.
• In all rounds, the runner should never retreat back to first base until being stopped. When retreating back to first base after the round, the eyes should maintain contact with the ball, rather than turning away from the ball. Turning away from the ball only serves to have either the center fielder or right fielder throw behind the runner.

• On batted balls in the air, the runner should never assume the ball will be caught, thus, they should be standing on second base if the ball is caught or dropped.