How to Improve Base Stealing Ability

It is often referred to as National League baseball. The ability to move a runner over or steal a base can lead to scoring opportunities when none previously existed. This type of baseball is not National League baseball, but it is well-executed baseball that leads to winning. Stealing a base, especially in the late stages of a close game, often tips the pressure gauge in favor of the team that can execute the steal and away from the team in the field.

Instructions

1. Take an aggressive lead. Instead of taking a safe 2 or 3 step lead off first, a good base stealer will push his lead to the maximum. If the base stealer takes a 4 or 5 step lead, he will have to dive back to the base in order to beat any pickoff throw. However, if the pitcher delivers the ball home, the base runner will have an excellent chance of being successful if he is stealing. Instead of having to run 90 feet to second base, the strong lead reduces the distance to 78 or 80 feet between the bases.

2. Push off with your back foot at the instant your steal begins. Pivot so your whole body is facing second (or third) and then push off with your left leg to get to maximum speed as soon as possible. After that first crossover, your right leg responds by pushing off and you are at top speed in 2 to 3 steps. Outstanding base stealers may or may not be great sprinters, but they do reach top speed quickly.

3. Learn the hook slide, the fadeaway slide and the head first dive. All three of these approaches to the next base can be used successfully to avoid getting tagged out. The hook slide is particularly deceptive because it looks like the runner is coming straight into the base and he actually goes to the side of the bag and hooks away from the tag. The fadeaway slide is effective on the steal of second. The catcher's throw will usually be caught at the front corner of the bag and the tag will be slapped on the runner. With the fadeaway, the runner comes in straight at the base but fades away toward the back corner. The head first dive allows the runner to sneak in a finger or hand to the upcoming base and then take it away before the tag can be applied.

4. In order to increase speed and explosive starts, practice with a weight belt or jacket on. Your body will get used to running with extra weight and then you will be able to get off to much quicker starts in a game with the extra weight off.

5. Study opposing pitchers on videotape. Learn their pitching tendencies and pickoff moves. If they have "long deliveries," It is easier to get off to a quick start and make it very difficult for the catcher to throw you out. However, a shorter and quicker delivery makes it imperative that you get off to sizable lead so that you don't have to run as far in order to come away with a stolen base. Studying the videotape may reveal certain "tells" of even the best pitcher. For example, you may notice that the pitcher twirls the ball in his glove before delivering home and that he never does that when he throws to first. Noticing this tendency will give you, the base stealer, a huge advantage.

Tips & Warnings

• Take an aggressive lead.

• Learn every aspect of sliding and use all the techniques to your advantage.

• Study your opponents by looking at videotape.