No. 5, Covering The Bag: When a baserunner is attempting to steal second, Gehringer races over and straddles the base, standing with his feet pressed against the sides of the bag (see drawing). Thus he keeps his feet and ankles protected from the sharp spikes as the runner comes sliding in. After Gehringer takes the throw from his catcher, he holds the ball a foot or so in front of the base and allows the runner to slide into the ball, touching him on the ankle. Never attempt to touch a sliding runner on the upper part of his body.