Stealing a base in baseball not only requires speed, it also takes guts, timing and a little bit of luck. A stolen base results in an advantage for the offense since a player standing on second base has a greater chance of scoring on a hit than a player on first. Understanding the rules of stolen bases can help you better understand the game and how to properly attempt a steal next time you have the opportunity.
Scoring Rules
Most of the rules regarding stolen bases revolve around the official scorekeeper and what is considered a stolen base. According to Major League Baseball, the scorer shall award a player with a stolen base when that player advances to a base unassisted by a hit, error, forceout, fielder’s choice, wild pitch or passed ball. However, if a player makes a move to steal a base before the pitcher has delivered the ball and the pitch results in a passed ball or wild pitch, the runner is still credited with a stolen base. A player who steals second but then overruns the base and is tagged out is not credited with a stolen base. Players may steal any base except for first base.
Caught Stealing
Like the stolen base statistic, the official scorer is charged with keeping track of players who are caught and put out while attempting to steal a base. A player who leads off a base and is picked off while attempting to return to the base is not considered being caught stealing. But if the pitcher attempts to pick off a runner and the runner makes a move for the next base and is picked off, it is then counted as caught stealing.
Obstruction and Interference
A player is entitled to attempt to execute a stolen base without being impeded by any fielder. A fielder getting in the path of a player attempting a stolen base is to be called for obstruction and the runner will be awarded second base. Likewise, if a player is attempting to steal a base, the catcher or any other player on the field must be allowed to make a play on the runner. For example, if a runner attempts to steal second base and the batter does not make an attempt to move out of the way to allow the catcher to attempt a throw, the batter will be called for interference and will be called out, and the runner will be moved back to first base.
Defensive Indifference
In some cases, the defense--most often the catcher--may not try to throw out a runner attempting to steal a base for a specific strategic reason. In this case, the runner is not credited with a stolen base. One example includes a situation with runners on first and third. If the defense does not want to take a chance on the runner at third scoring because of a throw to second in order prevent the stolen base, the defense may allow the runner at first to take second base. If the official scorer determines the defense intentionally did not defend the stolen base attempt, the runner is not credited with a stolen base.
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