Scott Rolen Tutors Reds on Baserunning

Scott Rolen is the Reds' best baserunner according to manager Dusty Baker.

Rolen is not the fastest runner but along with his Gold Glove defensive skills, he brings other things to the Reds' winning effort.

The Reds' coaches have Rolen talk to teammates about baserunning.

What does it take to be a good baserunner, other than speed?

"Number one, you have to want to be a good baserunner.  You have to know where everybody's playing on the field. You've got to know which guys shallow up or come in with two strikes.  You have to know which guys charge the ball which guys lay back on the ball.  You have to know the arm strength and the accuracy of those guys.  You have to put all that into your equation," Baker said.

"Scotty talked about it.  I asked him to talk about it with the guys in spring training.  Sometimes when you hear a different voice, a voice of your peers.  Sometimes the words of coach's or manager's don't fly.  He gave a great dissertation on 'your job is to get to the next base.'  That's what baseball is all about.  Don't let the ball stop you.  You have to know where the ball is.  You have to work on this stuff."

"Look at Pete Rose, he (Rolen) reminds me of Pete.  Pete wasn't that fast.  He was a great baserunner.  I've seen other guys that were fast but didn't know what to do with that speed.  It's how you cut the corners at the bag.  We have a couple guys, we're trying to cut that wide turn down."