Stealing a Base

Stealing a Base

by American Sport Education Program
chapter from the Human Kinetics book Coaching Softball - Technical and Tactical Skills

Stealing bases is a useful component of fast-pitch softball because the speed of play is dramatic with the bases just 60 feet apart. A successful steal can build offensive momentum and increase the pressure on the pitcher and defense by moving a runner into scoring position without sacrificing an out. In fast-pitch softball, however, the playing rules largely control the timing of the steal. Runners must remain in contact with the bag until the pitch is released when attempting a steal, so they cannot take an aggressive lead or try to read the pitcher to get a more aggressive jump. Thus when stealing, the key factors to consider are the runner's foot speed, the catcher's arm strength, or glove-to-glove time, and the speed of the pitch.

WATCH OUT!
The following circumstances may distract your athletes:

1. 1. A first-base player plays back and blocks the view of the pitcher.
   2. Pitchers change their motion or arm speed on different pitches.
   3. The athlete has a poor jump or leadoff because of starting late and not anticipating the release.

1. A second-base player decoys a pickoff.

ACQUIRING THE APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE
To steal bases successfully, you and your athletes must understand the following:

Rules
You and your athletes need to know several main rules when you are deciding whether to steal bases:

1. 1. Rules regarding leadoffs and when a runner may leave the base (some leagues or levels of play may vary from the release of the pitch).
   2. Rules about making contact or being hit by the ball after it is hit.
   3. Rules about making contact or interfering with a defensive player attempting to make a play.
   4. Rules about a defensive player obstructing the base runner.
   5. Rules about the defensive player blocking a base when receiving the throw.
   6. Rules about foul tips and live balls.
   7. Rules about the pitching circle and what the runner can and cannot do.

Physical Playing Conditions
The physical playing conditions will significantly affect the game. Thus, you and your players must pay attention to the following physical conditions when contemplating whether to steal a base:

1. 1. The quality of the base-path surface. If the field is wet or soft, runners may have poor footing and traction. In addition, a wet field usually makes it difficult to accelerate and pick up foot speed. Players should also be aware of the surface quality near second base to help them determine what type of slide they should use. For example, on a muddy or damp surface the runner will slide much slower after she leaves her feet. Therefore, she will need to slide a little later to make sure that she gets all the way into the base. If the surface is extremely torn up, the runner may want to consider sliding later and using a pop-up slide so that she can avoid the poor sliding surface.

1. The weather. Rainy or wet conditions may cause the catcher's throws to be less accurate and slow the speed of the runner because of poor footing. The ball may be damp as the catcher receives the pitch. When the catcher has to hurry or rush a throw on a steal, she will not have much time to adjust her release to compensate for the slick ball. On the negative side for the offense, damp conditions will slow the runner because the wet dirt or soft ground will not allow for rapid acceleration on each leg drive.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Opponents
You and your players must account for your opponent's strengths and weaknesses when deciding whether to steal a base. Teach your players to consider the following about your opponents:

1. 1. How fast is the pitcher's delivery? The speed of the pitch will affect the timing of the leadoff as well as the amount of time that the runner has to get away from first base before the catcher receives the pitch. The runner's timing of the leadoff may be challenging if she is not able to get into a correct rhythm and leave the base on time with the release.

1. 1. What is the arm strength of the catcher? The speed of the catcher's release and strength of her arm are important factors to consider because the runner cannot leave first base until the pitcher releases the ball. The maximum amount of time that a runner has can be calculated from the time that she can leave the base until the catcher can get the ball to second base. The time required for the pitch to travel from release to the catcher's glove plus the time that it takes for the catcher to throw to second base is the time that the runner needs to beat. The strength of the catcher's arm is a factor in glove-to-glove time, but so is the quickness of her release. For that reason, a catcher should not be judged by arm strength alone. A catcher may have average arm strength but excellent glove-to-glove time if she can quickly get the ball out of her glove and on its way to second base.

1. 1. What is the speed of the shortstop and second-base player? If these players are quick, your runners should expect that the middle infielders will be able to cover bases from any position on the field where they might be playing. If they are slower, your runner's speed may be enough to steal a base if the middle infielders do not cheat enough toward second to beat the runner to the base.

1. 1. How consistent is the pitcher? If a pitcher throws many pitches outside the strike zone, the catcher may have more difficulty making a good throw. When the catcher has to move from her squatted position or stand up to catch a pitch, she will have difficulty keeping her legs loaded and prepared for the release to second. A catcher's legs have a tremendous effect on her glove-to-glove time, and an inconsistent pitcher can disrupt the catcher's rhythm.

1. What is the skill level of the catcher? As a rule, your runners can steal more often on catchers who have a hard time handling the pitches or are less skilled with the glove.

DELAYED LIVE BALL STEAL
After the pitch as the catcher is returning the ball to the pitcher, the defense sometimes fails to focus. The middle infielders may not fully cover second base, or the catcher may not look to make sure that the runner is returning to first base. Some pitchers direct all their attention to the pitch and the call from the umpire, and they forget about the runners on base. In this situation, a delayed live ball steal can be effective. For example, a runner can set up a delayed steal by using an aggressive lead to draw a throw from the catcher. If the catcher becomes predictable on her throw back, a quick runner can attempt to take the next base when the catcher throws behind the runner to pick her off.

Nonetheless, a delayed live ball steal requires your runner to read the defense, in particular the catcher and the pitcher. You and your players should be aware of several points about the delayed steal:

1. 1. An aggressive lead on previous pitches can entice the catcher to throw behind the runner to attempt a pickoff. The runner can then set up a delayed steal on the catcher. If the catcher is predictable with her throw behind the runner, the runner can set her up to attempt a delayed steal on her throw to the base behind her.

1. 1. An average lead with low-level intensity can lull a catcher and pitcher into not paying close attention to the runner The defense may stop focusing on the runner and become lazy about making sure that the runner is returning to the base before the catcher releases the ball back to the pitcher.

1. 1. Patience is important. If the runner breaks too soon, she will be hung up between bases. The runner must wait until the catcher releases the ball. If the runner becomes anxious or breaks slightly early, before the catcher releases the ball, the catcher may be able to readjust midthrow and make a full throw to second base or perhaps hold on to the ball and catch the runner between the bases.

1. 1. The runner should watch the defensive coverage at second base on previous pitches. When the middle infield fails to cover OF fails to remain in covered position, the defense is vulnerable to the delayed steal.

1. 1. A delayed steal can also occur following a single or error When the runner is returning to first she should check the defensive coverage at second base. Many times infielders return to their positions early, and the pitcher may not be alert as the ball is being returned to her in the circle. Timing is important because the runner cannot take second base if she has returned to first base when the ball is back in the circle.

1. A single to the outfield can also set up a delayed steal if the throw from the outfielder is lofted and is cut off short of the base. After rounding the base, the runner should watch the defense. If they relax and toss the ball to an infielder, the runner can take off for the next base. Although this tactic can be risky, a good base runner who reads the defense well can execute it successfully.

Self-Knowledge
Besides being aware of your opponent's strengths and weaknesses, you and your players need to have knowledge about your own team's ability. When deciding whether to steal a base, you and your players must be aware of the following:

1. 1. How fast is the runner at first base? Giving the steal sign to the runner at first base makes sense if that runner's base-to-base time is less than the catcher's glove-to-glove time.

1. 1. How well can the runner read the release so that she can get a good jump? Some runners maximize their leadoff at first base by always getting a good jump. The speed of the runner has no bearing on how well she times the release of the pitch. Some fast runners consistently get extremely poor jumps, which can frustrate their coach's effort to employ the steal.

1. 1. How well can the runner slide? A runner who has excellent sliding ability and can use various slides at second base to avoid the tag has a better chance of being safe even if her foot speed is average.

1. How well does the batter protect the runner? If your batter has strong ability to fake a slap or swing, the middle infielders must hold their positions longer and the catcher must stay back until the hitter completes her swing. These two factors can cause the defense to become anxious, which may force an inaccurate throw or poor coverage at second base.

Decision-Making Guidelines
When deciding whether to steal a base, you and your players should be sure to consider the previous information. Also consider the following guidelines:

1. 1. Take more risks early in the game or after you have a lead. When you have a lead, your opponent is already feeling pressure to catch up and thus will feel greater pressure on defense. Early in a ball game, taking greater risks with steals can give you a better evaluation of your opponent's ability, which you can use later in the game when pressure increases.

1. 1. Use the speed of your team to create holes in the defense. Getting your fast runners started even without the batter's knowledge can cause the middle infielders to vacate their positions a split second early or get them leaning in one direction. This tactic can open up gaps between the third-base player and the shortstop or between the first-base player and the second-base player. Making decisions about when to have the runners steal without the batter's knowledge may depend on the count as well. If you believe that the pitcher will likely throw a good hitter's pitch and that your hitter is generally aggressive about hitting strikes, then getting the runner started makes good sense. There is a risk of being thrown out, as well as a risk of being doubled off on a line drive, but the rewards will be great if the ball is hit sharply or in a gap.

1. 1. With a fast runner on first base and your best hitter at the plate, attempting a steal and risking giving away an out may not be a good idea. Even if the risk that the runner will be thrown out is low, you should consider whether moving the runner to second base will result in an intentional walk of your best hitter after first base becomes open.

1. 1. With two outs, an average runner on first base and an outstanding hitter up, attempting a steal to get the runner into scoring position may be in your best interest. If the steal attempt fails and ends the inning, you may start the next inning with a better combina-tion of hitters coming up. For example, suppose that your number 8 batter is on base and your number 9 batter is up. Your number 9 batter does not hit for a lot of power, but she has a good on-base average. You may choose to attempt to start the following inning with your number 9 hitter up so that she can be on base with no outs and the top of your order coming up. If the steal works, you have a greater chance to score. In this win—win situation little risk is involved.

1. 1. Steal in counts when the pitcher is likely to throw a pitch that might be moving out of the strike zone or when she is likely to throw an off-speed pitch. Both situations put the catcher in poor position to get the ball to second base quickly.

1. 1. As a rule, your players should slide directly into second base to beat the throw. Most of the time a runner's feet will get in and touch second base before the ball is there, but when the runner slides to the outside of the base, she gives the fielder more time to apply a tag before she gets her hands on the base.

1. The runner should slide away to the outside of the base to avoid the tag only when the throw will beat her to the base. Runners need to read the defenders. If the runner reads the throw and judges that it is going to beat her, she may want to use a different technique in an attempt to be safe.