Run (baseball) facts for kids

A run in baseball is super important! It's how a player on a team scores a point for their team. Think of it like scoring a goal in soccer or a touchdown in football. When a player scores a run, their team gets closer to winning the game.

Bengie Molina scores a run for the Angels by touching home plate.

What is a Run in Baseball?

A run is the main way teams score points in baseball. To get a run, a player from the batting team needs to safely touch all four bases in order. These bases are first base, second base, third base, and finally, home plate. Once a player touches home plate after going around all the bases, their team earns one run. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins!

How Players Score Runs

Scoring a run isn't always easy! A player starts at home plate as a batter. If they get on base, they become a runner. To score, they must move from first base to second, then to third, and finally back to home plate. They usually do this by hitting the ball and running, or by other players hitting the ball.

Advancing Around the Bases

• A player can advance by hitting the ball and reaching a base safely.
• They can also move forward if another teammate hits the ball.
• Sometimes, a player can steal a base, moving closer to home plate.
• All bases must be touched in the correct order. If a player misses a base, they can be called out.

Different Ways to Get a Run

There are a few common ways a player can score a run in baseball. Each way involves getting around the bases and touching home plate.

Batted Run

This is the most common way to score. A player hits the ball and then runs around the bases. They might hit a single, double, or triple, which gets them to first, second, or third base. Then, another player on their team might hit the ball, allowing them to keep running and eventually reach home plate.

Home Run

A home run is the most exciting way to score! This happens when a player hits the ball so far that it goes out of the playing field, usually over the outfield fence. When this happens, the batter and any players already on base get to walk around all the bases and score a run without anyone being able to get them out. It's an instant run (or more!).

Walked-In Run

Sometimes, a run can be scored without anyone even hitting the ball! This is called a "walked-in run." It happens when the pitcher throws four balls (pitches outside the strike zone) to the batter. This gives the batter a walk to first base. If all the bases are already full of runners (bases loaded), and the batter gets a walk, the runner on third base automatically gets to go to home plate and score a run.

Images for kids

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  Paulo Orlando of the Omaha Storm Chasers scores a run by stepping onto home plate after rounding all the bases.

See also

In Spanish: Carrera (béisbol) para niños