Page "Baseball rules" Paragraph 19

In general, base running is a tactical part of the game requiring good judgment by runners ( and their coaches ) to assess the risk in attempting to advance.

During tag plays, a good slide can affect the outcome of the play.

Managers will sometimes simultaneously send a runner and require the batter to swing ( a hit-and-run play ) in an attempt to advance runners.

On a hit-and-run play the batter will often try to hit to the opposite field ( the opposite of the natural tendency for the right-handed hitter to pull the ball to left field and vice versa ).

Hitting to the opposite field will likely find an opening in the infield vacated by the fielder covering second base.

This is because coverage of second base against a steal is best achieved by whichever fielder is closer to second base, the shortstop or the second baseman ; and such positioning is aimed at defending against the natural tendency of the hitter.