How To Steal A Base

  Stealing a base is a technique every baseball player has to learn, but not many can master.  Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is one of the best at this craft.  He has 138 stolen bases since his major league debut five years ago.  Although Gardner is one of the fastest in the major leagues; stealing  a base is not all about speed.  Some of the all-time best base runners were not the fastest in the game, instead they focused on reading the pitcher, timing, and skill. 

 This is a short tutorial on how to steal a base.

                                                    How to Steal A Base




  1) Read the sign:  Once you have successfully reached first base, the key is to be aware of your coaches and the pitcher's actions. In the MLB, there is a first and third base coach.  As a player, you should be listening to what the first base coach is saying to you while you're on the base.  In the meantime, the third base coach will be throwing out various signs to pay attention to.  The pitcher usually has an idea if a batter is getting ready to steal to second base.  He will throw back to the first baseman a few times to keep you close to the base.  You need to pay attemtion to an tip offs, such as the wind-up the pitcher takes before he throws.  Pitcher Andy Pettitte is known for throwing batters out at first because of his little movement and quick reaction.

  2) Get a good lead:  Getting a good lead is extremely important when stealing a base.  Faster runners can take a bigger lead off of first because they can get back to the base quicker if the pitcher throws to the first baseman.  Digging your cleat into the ground ensures that you do not slip as you start to run to second.

  3) Bluff the pitcher:  Although players on the field must be on alert when there is a base runner, some teams are simply not paying attention.  Many times if there is only one base runner on and it is not a pressure situation, the pitcher won't pay attention to the player on base.  A good base runner will bluff once or twice by taking a big lead and pretending that he is taking the jump to second.  The catcher will then throw the ball to the second baseman, if he knows he has a chance of getting the player out. 

  4) Time the pitcher's movement:  When in the batter's box, watch the pitcher's movement and timing.  It'll help you when you are on first base and getting ready to steal.

  5) Learn how to use the bag:  When you are sliding into the base, make sure that the fielder has as little room as possible to tag the base.  This means sliding into the base feet first.  If they are fielding the ball in front of the base, slide towards the back of the base and vice versa.

Just remember, stealing base is not all about speed.  Consistency, time, and skill are all qualities that good base-runners have.  If you follow these tips and watch the videos, you are on your way to become a great base stealer!