Baseball Tips Stealing Bases

A stolen base in a tight baseball contest can be the difference between winning and losing. Stealing bases requires speed, but many other factors go into a successful stolen base. The top base stealers would tell you that knowing when to steal, scouting the opposition, getting a proper lead, and not being afraid to steal third helped make them feared on the base paths.

It is important to know when it is the proper time to steal a base. Teams that are in large deficits or comfortably ahead do not look to steal bases, as the consequences of a failed attempt when behind can snuff out a potential rally and stealing when in front by five or more runs is frowned upon; it is considered the equivalent of running up the score in a sport like football or basketball. Before a coach gives the steal sign many factors are considered, such as the likelihood that the attempt will succeed, the ability of the batter at the plate, and who is up next if the opposing coach decides to walk the batter after a stolen base to get to a weaker hitter. As a rule bases should be stolen only if it gives the base runner's team a better chance at winning the game. Stolen bases in tie games or in games where the outcome hinges on one or two runs being scored can put a team in a position to win the contest. It is also vital to know what the count on the batter is when stealing a base. Pitchouts that allow a catcher an excellent chance of throwing out a runner are usually done when the batter has one or two strikes and less than two balls.

Anyone thinking of being a base stealer needs to be familiar with both the strength of the throwing arm of the opposing catcher and what type of pick-off move the pitcher has. Some Major League Baseball catchers have such strong throwing arms that it takes a perfect set of circumstances to steal a base against them. Johnny Bench of the Cincinnati Reds was one example of a catcher so respected for his arm that few runners would try to steal a base when he was catching. Pitchers that can keep runners close to the base and not allow them to get large leads also decrease the odds of a successful steal. Hurlers like Andy Pettitte of the New York Yankees are famous for possessing a deceptive pick-off move that forces runners to stay a little closer to the base, keeping them from getting the jump necessary to be successful.

Base runners that are contemplating stealing a base will need a good-sized lead in most cases to accomplish their goal. This means putting themselves at risk of being picked off the base by a pitcher throwing over to keep them close but it should not deter them from going to as large a lead as they can acquire. Base runners should force a pitcher to use their best pick-off moves to keep them close and should not be intimidated by a pitcher simply throwing over nonchalantly. If a runner doesn't have to dive back to base in order to avoid being picked off then the lead is not big enough.

Even though the throw for a catcher from home to third is much shorter than the throw from home to second base this should not deter a runner from attempting to steal third base, because in most cases a runner can get a much larger lead from second than from first. The pitcher has a tendency to ignore a runner at second much more so than a runner at first. The element of surprise is normally in the runner's favor when stealing third base. Good base stealers will study the pitcher for a couple of pitches to see if any attention is being paid to them when on second and then will get a running jump as the pitcher delivers to home. It is also easier to see the catcher when stealing third, allowing a runner to know where and when the ball is arriving to the base.

Runners on first base with a base stealer on second need to be ready to be on the back end of a play called a double steal in which the runner on second breaks for third. The runner on first will be expected to steal second in this situation as the throw normally goes to third base. However the catcher may decide to throw to second instead if the runner breaking from first seems lackadaisical or gets a late jump. A delayed steal is a play where a runner on first does not attempt to steal a base in the normal manner. Rather than take off as the pitcher delivers to home the runner disguises the attempt by not breaking for the base until the pitch has crossed home plate. This can catch both the catcher and the infielders that are to cover second base napping, making it possible to reach the base safely.