The stolen base is a baseball play that requires timing, speed and the ability to read the pitcher and his move to home plate. When a team has several speedy players who are capable of stealing a lot of bases, it can change the complexion of the game. Like all other aspects of baseball, certain rules apply to the stolen base.
Significance
The stolen base is a significant play in baseball because it moves runners into scoring position. Once a runner is in scoring position, one hit is all it takes to score a run. The threat of the stolen base can also get into the psyches of defensive players and throw them off their game. If a pitcher is worried the runner on first is going to steal, it takes his focus off the batter and makes him more prone to mistakes.
Stolen Bases
Whether a play is officially a stolen base is at the discretion of the official scorer. The rule book states that if a runner is able to advance one base without a hit, put out, error, fielder's choice, passed ball, wild pitch or force out on the play, it is a stolen base. In certain cases, such as when the runner starts his motion to second or third before the delivery of the pitcher, it is still considered a steal even on a passed ball, wild pitch, or bad throw to the base. If a runner gets picked off, but ends up in a rundown and advances a base it is a steal.
Caught Stealing
When a player is unsuccessful in his stolen base attempt, it is known as "caught stealing." If the catcher throws the ball to second or third and the runner is tagged out, the runner is caught stealing. If the runner is safe in his steal attempt, but overslides the base and is tagged out, he is also caught stealing. A pick-off occurs when the runner is leading off the base too far and the pitcher throws behind him to the first or second basemen and his s tagged out. He may also get caught in a rundown and be tagged out.
Considerations
The runner can go into the base standing up, or in a feet-first or headfirst slide. Some stolen base attempts end up collisions and injury if the runner slides hard into the second or third basemen or if he slides headfirst into a foot or shin. On plays where the base runner is able to take the base completely uncontested, it is known as defensive indifference and is not considered a stolen base.
Member Comments