One of the seat gripping highlights of any baseball game is base stealing. It is a brain game that activates a player’s mathematical and analytical skills. The underlying equation for a successful stolen base requires that the time a player takes to run between first and second base should be less than the time a pitcher takes to deliver the ball to the plate, and the time the catcher takes to throw the ball to second base.

Base stealing is a calculated risk whose probability for success depends mainly on the base runner’s sound judgment of the situation at hand. Its undertaking is something that is at the heart of baseball games, which creates memorable moments for fans. Before we dive into the specific tips and tricks to steal bases faster, let us look at some of the top-level typical dos and don’ts guiding base stealing:

• Understand the steal signal – every team should work together to develop a known sign for stealing a base.
• The base ahead of you must be open – unless the runner ahead of you also attempts to steal the base in front of them, therefore, making it a double steal
• You cannot steal a base on a “dead” or foul ball – overthrown or passed balls may be stolen on, as long as the ball is still considered “live.”
• Be keen about the pitcher’s count – pitchers are more likely to throw a breaking ball or waste a pitch outside the zone, making the catcher’s life more difficult which is an advantage to the baserunner
• Stealing in close games is not recommended – analyze your situation first

Here Are the Tips and Tricks to Steal Bases Better

Taking a lead

The runner should keep eyes on the pitcher at all times and his feet beneath him, ready to move in either direction. This means the lead length should be long enough to steal successfully and short enough to return to his base if and when required.

Breaking for the Base

As soon as the pitcher breaks towards home, the baserunner should be ready to move. Players should be careful not to cross up their feet and maintain their balance while they shift towards a sprint. Focus is critical; avoid distractions such as trying to locate the ball.

Running to the Base

The first two or three steps are the most essential, and baserunners should start low before gradually straightening out. This is important as it allows a perfect transition from a stationary position to maximum effort sprinting.

Right-Handed Pitchers Cues

Mostly use a slide step to deliver a pitch to home plate. As long as the first movement is towards home plate, the runner should be taking off immediately. If a righty is attempting a pickoff, his right foot will most likely move off the rubber, and this is your signal to return to your base quickly.

Left-Handed Pitchers Cues

They rarely use a slide step, and the first move base is highly risky. If the pitcher’s leg swings behind the rubber, he is likely to throw home. It is ideal to wait for the left-handed pitcher to break the plane and move backward towards either second or forwards towards the plate.

Use a Crossover Step

Many players lift their right foot first, which is a wasted step because it does not get you closer to the next base. A crossover step is an efficient and powerful move that is achieved if a player rotates his hips and shoulders as he pivots his right foot and transfer weight over the right foot. This allows him to drive his feet into the ground and propel into the sprint, starting with the left foot.

Stealing Second Base

Three key questions determine your decision to go for the pitcher and catcher in a bid to steal a second base:

• How fast are you? How much time do you have from first to second base? Your chances are high if you take 3.2 to 3.8 seconds to second base.
• What is the pitcher’s time to the home plate? Fast pitchers have a consistent time of 1.1 to 1.29 seconds while runners prefer the pitcher to be at least 1.35 to 1.40 seconds to enable them to steal second base successfully.
• What is the catcher’s time to second base? The average catcher uses 2 seconds to throw to second base, and this is timed from when he catches the ball and stops when the infielder standing on the second base catches the ball.

Stealing Third Base

Main tips to steal effectively here:

• Grow momentum: a runner must be super-fast to steal successfully from the third base because the catcher has a shorter throw to make compared to the second. This means that he can gain massive momentum heading to third base and deliver a solid throw. It is, therefore, wise to focus on the pitcher and not the catcher when stealing third base. (the catcher has a high chance to close the play)
• Apply knowledge: at this point, a runner should have mastered the pitcher’s non-verbal cues such as how long he holds the ball and his eyes direction before he makes a pitch. Internalizing these trends goes a long way in making sound judgment calls.
• Use shuffle steps: effective stealing of third base requires a shuffle step going toward third base before the pitcher makes a move home. As a rule of thumb, if the shuffle step is not on point and the player, is not confident or comfortable, stop immediately and try on the next attempt.

Sliding in Safely

This enables the runner’s body to move faster to beat the tag and to stop on the base. It is best to slide in a straight line.

**Baseball is not just about swings, learn some of the Rules You Need To Know In Baseball here!!!**

Understanding the Rules of Balks

Now that you are equipped with knowledge on how to steal bases better, it is equally important to understand some of the illegal tricks of the game to avoid unnecessary fines and losses.

In simple terms, a balk occurs when the pitcher intentionally tries to deceive the runner or hitter. It is an illegal move such that when a balk is called when runners are on base, all the runners move up one base. Quick looks into deceptive signs that can be declared balk include but are not limited to:

• When a lefty pitcher starts his motion and his right foot crosses his left knee, yet he does not throw home and tries to come to first base.
• A right-handed pitcher must come set by coming to a complete stop before he throws a pitch home. Once he starts his motion, he must complete it; otherwise, the umpire has a right to call a balk.

You can find more details about balks and their rules here http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp.

Experts and players have said much about the tips and tricks to steal bases. After all, has been said and done, the most crucial ingredient for a victorious steal is confidence. Once a player commits to stealing bases, he must trust his judgment enough to follow through and complete it. Any doubt should be an automatic prompt to abort the mission and wait for another chance to attempt.

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