Definition

Verb: - To move around the baseball diamond by touching each base in sequence (first, second, third, and home plate) as a batter or base runner. This is a fundamental action in the sport of baseball.

Usage

This verb phrase is used specifically in the context of baseball. It describes the action of a player advancing from base to base. It is typically used in the simple present, past, or progressive tenses. - The player must run the bases correctly after hitting the ball. - She ran the bases quickly to score a run. - He is running the bases now.

Examples

• After hitting a home run, the batter slowly ran the bases.
• The coach yelled, "Run the bases!" as the ball was hit into the outfield.
• The runner ran the bases aggressively, trying to stretch a double into a triple.

Advanced Usage

• To run the bases well/aggressively/smartly: This modifies the action to describe the bases are run.
  • A good player knows how to run the bases smartly to avoid being tagged out.
• The phrase can be used in a general sense to describe a player's skill or a team's strategy.
  • Their team's speed allows them to run the bases effectively.

Variants and Related Words

• Base running (noun): The act or skill of running the bases.
  • His excellent base running won the game.
• Base runner (noun): A player who is in the act of running the bases.
  • The base runner was caught in a pickle between second and third.

Synonyms

• Advance (around the bases): To move forward from one base to the next.
• Circle the bases: Often used specifically for hitting a home run.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Phrases

• Run out a hit: To run the bases immediately after making contact with the ball.
  • You must run out every hit hard.
• Tag up: A related base-running action where a runner waits on a base until a fly ball is caught before attempting to run.
  • The runner on third tagged up and then ran the bases to score.

Related Idioms

• To make the rounds: While not a baseball idiom, its meaning of "visiting a series of places" is conceptually similar to the sequential action of running the bases.
• Touch all the bases: An idiom derived from baseball meaning to address or consider all aspects of a situation.
  • In our meeting, we need to touch all the bases on the new project. (Note: This idiom uses "touch," not "run").

Verb

1. run around the bases, in baseball