Watch for the fielding team's response

Keep in mind that the opposing team has nine players on the field (including the pitcher). These players are collectively called fielders. While the batter running towards one of the bases, the opposing team's fielders are doing one of several things:

Scenario One: Catching the ball before it hits the ground is the best play that a fielder make. When this happens, the batter is out.

Scenario Two: The next best play for a fielder is to retrieve the ball after it hits the ground as quickly as possible. He then throws it to the base that the batter is running towards. For example, let's say the batter is running towards first base. If the fielder who's standing on first base catches the ball before the batter reaches first base, the batter is out. In this instance a tag is not necessary.

Scenario Three: If the ball was hit very far away, the batter has the option to run to first base and continue towards second or third base, or even homeplate. During this run, the ball can be thrown to a fielder who'll try to tag the batter with the ball before the batter has reached the base.