In the sport of baseball, the bases are loaed when there is a runner on each base (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). This presents a great scoring opportunity for the batting team, but it also presents an easy double play opportunity for the other team. Causing the bases to become loaded is called loading the bases. A batter is often intentionally walked when there are runners on 2nd and 3rd base to make it easier for the defense to record more than one out.