A hit and run is a play in baseball where the baserunners are put in motion before the ball is hit and the batter attempts to make contact with the pitch. However, if the ball is unhittable such as if it is thrown in the dirt or it is thrown high above the batter's head and the batter is unable to make contact, the batter does not have to swing. The hit and run is usually employed when a good contact hitter is at the plate. Often, on a hit-and-run play the batter will try to "hit behind the runner" by hitting the ball to right field which makes it more likely that the runner will be able to go from first to third on a single, or even score from first on a double. Another goal of a hit and run is to open up holes in the infield for the batter to hit the ball through, since either the shortstop or second baseman will have to cover second base when they see the runner moving. This article is about the sport. ... In baseball, baserunning is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat. ... Barry Bonds batting Photo:Agência Brasil In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for ones team. ... The typical motion of a pitcher In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The position of the second baseman Second base redirects here. ...

Hit and run plays are most frequently used by teams without many power hitters in the lineup, as they may have to "manufacture runs" this way on occasion.

If the batter does not make contact, then the runner is left to attempt a stolen base on his own, and he may be caught. Even a very fast runner who can normally steal a base is more likely to be caught stealing if the batter does not make contact. A hit and run play is communicated in advance to both runner and batter and thus the runner is not able to wait for a proper pitch to get a good 'jump' as with a normal steal attempt. Conversely, the batter is not able to select a good pitch at which to swing because he must make contact to cover the runner's advance. The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1988. ... In baseball, a player is charged with a caught stealing when, as a runner, the player attempts to advance from one base to another without the ball being struck by a batter, but is put out by a fielder while making the attempt. ...

Also, if a hit ball is caught in the air by a fielder while the runners are in motion (making an out in the process), a double play—or, in much rarer instances, a triple play—can be made. On the other hand, the hit and run is often used in an attempt to avoid the common "second to first" double play, as the runner on first will have a better chance to beat the throw to second. After stepping on second base, the fielder throws to first to complete a double play In baseball, a double play (denoted on statistics sheets by DP) for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. ... In baseball, a triple play (denoted by TP) is the act of making three outs during the same continuous play. ...

In the rare circumstance that a hit and run is executed with a bunt, it is called a bunt and run. A bunt and run that begins with a runner on second base can lead to a run scored if, as the fielder fields the bunt and throws to first, the runner continues around third base and attempts to score. If a base runner starts the bunt and run from third base, the batter is said to be laying down a "squeeze bunt." The "squeeze bunt" requires excellent timing on the part of both the batter and the runner so that neither player reveals the play too soon, yet neither player begins their responsibility too late to successfully execute the "squeeze bunt" and score a run. A Little League baseball player squares around to bunt. ... In baseball, a squeeze play is a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third and fewer than two outs. ...

A related play is the less formal run and hit, similar to the hit and run, except with a fast runner on first base who is capable of stealing. The batter is given the option of hitting, with prior knowledge that the runner will be moving with the pitch. This differs from a straight steal in that the batter is encouraged to swing, instead of being prevented from swinging. The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1988. ...

Most of the 13 unassisted triple plays in Major League Baseball history have occurred during hit and run plays with runners on first and second base. Bill Wambsganss completing his unassisted triple play in Game 5 of the 1920 World Series In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball (assist). ...