Hit-and-Run & Situational Hitting: A Coach's Guide to the Team At-Bat

Winning baseball and softball teams do something that does not show up in a player's batting average: they execute the team at-bat. They move runners, protect baserunners on the hit-and-run, and trade outs for bases when the game asks for it. That skill — putting the ball on the ground where it needs to go, on command — is teachable, and it pays off in exactly the close games that decide seasons. This guide covers the strategy and the hit-and-run and move-the-runner situational contact drill.

Why situational hitting wins games

Every team gets 27 outs (or 21 in a shorter game). The teams that turn the most of those outs into something — a runner advanced, a run scored, a double play avoided — are the teams that win the tight ones. Former pro and respected coach Darren Fenster puts the value plainly:

"Teams that execute situational hitting well are the teams that get the most productivity out of each one of their 27 outs." — Darren Fenster, via Little League (source)

The core idea is a mindset shift: in certain spots, the hitter's job is not to do personal damage but to do a team job. As Little League's situational hitting primer frames the move-the-runner situation: "The job is to move the runner, any way it can be done" (source). That can mean a ground ball to the right side, a deep fly ball, or even a bunt — whatever advances the base.

The hit-and-run: protect the runner

The hit-and-run is the classic team play. The runner on first breaks with the pitch, and the hitter's job is to make contact — specifically, to put the ball on the ground — so the runner is protected and can advance, ideally first to third. The hitter's contract is simple and strict. As Little League describes the hitter's assignment on the play:

"Know that you will be swinging at everything except the ball in the dirt" and "hit the ball where it is pitched." — Little League (source)

That "swing at everything but the dirt" rule is non-negotiable because the runner is already going; a take or a strikeout exposes the runner to an easy out, and a fly ball can become a double play. The ideal result for a right-handed hitter is a ground ball to the right side — into the hole created when the second baseman moves to cover the steal. Coaches teach hitters to stay on top of the ball and shoot it the other way on the ground. As Baseball Tutorials notes, "the object of a hit and run play is to have the ball hit through the hole left when the second baseman goes to cover the appearance of the steal" (source), and it recommends starting hitters off a tee so "hitters can aim their swing where the hole is going to be."

Count matters too. The hit-and-run is best deployed in hitter-friendly counts — typically 1-0, 1-1, and 2-1 — when a strike is likely, and it is used with no outs or one out.

Moving the runner from second

The other staple is the runner on second base with nobody out. The team needs that runner on third with less than two outs, where a fly ball, ground out, or hit can score them. The hitter's job: drive a ground ball to the right side. Even if the hitter is thrown out at first, the runner advances to third — a productive out. This is the purest example of trading your at-bat for a base, and it is a habit good teams build until it is automatic.

How the drill works

The drill makes the team at-bat a rehearsed skill. The coach calls the situation out loud before each pitch — "hit-and-run, runner going" or "runner on second, nobody out — move him over" — and the hitter executes the matching job: ball on the ground on the hit-and-run, ground ball to the right side to move the runner over. You keep score so execution is concrete: a ground ball that protects the runner or moves them up is a win; a fly ball or strikeout is a fail.

Full setup, targets, cues, and the build-up are on the drill page. The smart progression starts simple — hit grounders to the right-side hole off a tee or slow toss to feel the path and target — then adds the situation call, then mixed locations, then full team execution with live runners and a defense keeping score. That last stage, with a defense trying to turn two, is where the skill becomes real, and it doubles as read-and-react work for the infielders.

Coaching cues that stick

Keep it short and situation-specific: "Hit-and-run — swing at everything but the dirt." "Ground ball protects the runner." "Hit the top half, stay on top." "Runner on second — ball to the right side." And the cue that reframes the whole at-bat: "A productive out is a win." These apply equally to baseball and softball; the bases and the team math are the same.

Mistakes to watch for

The number-one error is trying to drive the ball in the air on a hit-and-run — a fly ball with the runner going is a double-play waiting to happen. The second is taking a hittable strike and leaving the runner hung out to dry; on the hit-and-run, a strike means swing. Watch for hitters who lunge or steer at the ball trying to aim it — that wrecks balance and contact; a short path with good plate coverage places the ball better than steering does. Watch for hitters getting under the ball instead of staying on top for a grounder. And the subtle one: a hitter who reverts to their personal "do damage" swing and forgets the job. The whole skill is flipping into team mode on the coach's call.

Where it fits

This is an in-season must — a weekly situational round keeps the team at-bat sharp when it matters — and a worthwhile off-season builder so the habits are in place by opening day. Because it is an advanced, approach-heavy skill, it fits players who already have a functional swing and can control the barrel; younger hitters can start with the tee-based right-side ground ball version. Build it into a team practice with live runners and a defense, keep score, and let the competition do the teaching. The hitters learn to win the team at-bat; the infielders learn to defend it. That is two skills from one drill, and both of them show up in the games that are close.

Sources

• Situational Hitting 101 — Little League (featuring Darren Fenster) on productivity from your 27 outs, the hit-and-run hitter's job, and moving the runner any way possible.
• Situational Hitting: The Hit-And-Run — Baseball Tutorials on the hole behind the second baseman, hitting to the right side, and starting reps off a tee.
• Hitting Situations and Strategy — Pro Baseball Insider on counts, situations, and advancing runners.
• Hit and Run (baseball)) — overview of the play, best counts (1-0, 1-1, 2-1), and runner/hitter responsibilities.
• Baseball: Offensive Situational Execution Drills — Coach & Athletic Director on drilling situational execution in team practice.