Lead off 2195632 185130990 2008-01-18T03:07:25Z Terraxos 794371 added stub template {{unreferenced|date=January 2008}} In [[baseball]], a '''lead off''', or a '''lead''' for short, is the position a [[baserunner]] takes just prior to a pitch, a short distance away from the base he occupies. "Lead off" can also refer to that distance. A typical lead off is six to ten feet (two to three meters) from the base. If the lead is too much ("too large"), then the runner risks being [[pickoff|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 on a batted ball. Also in [[baseball]], the lead off batter is the first batter in the batting lineup for both teams. The leadoff batter is usually a player who has a good on base percentage and the ability to get himself into scoring position by stealing bases. Arguably the best lead off hitter of all-time was [[Rickey Henderson]] as he is the all time leader in [[stolen bases]], [[Run (baseball)|runs]], and lead off Home Runs and second all-time in [[walks]]. {{Baseball-stub}} [[Category:Baseball terminology]]