Inbaseball andsoftball, alead orlead off is the short distance that a player stands away from their current base.^[1]

Inbaseball, tolead off, or to take alead, refers to the position abaserunner 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 beingpicked off. If the lead is too small, the runner has a disadvantage in reaching the next base, whether in astolen base attempt or in connection with the next batted ball.

• "Backing up", the cricket equivalent

• Baseball positions
• Baseball terminology