Lead off

Not to be confused with leadoff hitter.

In baseball and softball, a lead or lead off is the short distance that a player stands away from their current base.^[1]

Yandy Díaz of the Columbus Clippers takes a lead off of first base during a 2018 game against the Durham Bulls

On the bases

In baseball, to lead off, or to take a lead, refers to the position a baserunner takes just prior to a pitch, a short distance away from the base the player occupies.^[2] A "lead" can also refer to that distance.^[2] A typical lead is six to ten feet (two to three meters) from the base. If the lead is too large, the runner risks being picked off. If the lead is too small, the runner has a disadvantage in reaching the next base, whether in a stolen base attempt or in connection with the next batted ball.

See also

• "Backing up", the cricket equivalent