Lead off

In baseball and softball, a lead or lead off is the short distance that a player stands away from their current base.

On the bases

In baseball, to lead off, or to take a lead, refers to the position a baserunner takes just prior to a pitch, a short distance away from the base the player occupies. A "lead" can also refer to that distance. A typical lead is six to ten feet from the base. If the lead is too large, the runner risks being 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 in connection with the next batted ball.
While in baseball a baserunner can lead off before a pitch is thrown, in most codes of softball, baserunners are not allowed to leave a base until the ball is released from the pitcher's hand.