Hits and Total Bases
A single sends the batter to first, a double to second, a triple to third. A home run — usually a ball hit over the outfield fence in fair territory — scores the batter and everyone already on base at once. A grand slam is a home run with the bases loaded: four runs on one swing.
How a Run Scores
A run counts when a single player touches first, second, third, and home in order before the third out of the inning is made. A runner can be driven in by a teammate’s hit, walked home with the bases loaded, or score on an out or an error.
Advancing on Contact
Runners may try to advance whenever the ball is in play. On a fly ball that is caught, a runner must ‘tag up’ — return to and retouch his base before leaving — and may then try for the next base. A ‘sacrifice fly’ is a caught fly ball deep enough to score a runner from third.
The Stolen Base
A daring runner can break for the next base as the pitcher throws home, trying to slide in before the catcher’s throw arrives. Steal it and the offense gains a base for nothing; get caught and the team loses a runner and often a rally.
Why Outs Are the Currency
Every team gets only twenty-seven outs in a nine-inning game. Runs are scored against that fixed budget, which is why avoiding outs — on the bases and at the plate — is the quiet key to scoring.