Most agree that stealing is taking a chance. In baseball, it's a base runner's attempt to successfully advance to the next base without the aid of a hit or a base-on-balls. Among the dozens of rules in baseball, only two govern stealing a base when a player catches a fly ball. In most instances, the decision to steal a base depends on the number of outs and the base you're occupying when a fly ball is caught.
Tag-Up Rule
The tag-up rule prevents runners from stealing one or more bases while a fly ball is in the air. A runner attempting to steal must tag the base he occupies after the ball is caught before he can run. If he takes off early and touches the next base, the umpire calls him out.
Sometimes players attempt to steal more than one base. If the outfielder bobbles the ball when trying to throw to an infielder, for instance, you might attempt to continue past second and steal third base as well. If the outfielder regains control of the ball without letting it hit the ground, you have to retouch second base and make it back to first as fast as possible. In most instances, a good outfielder's throw will beat you to the bag and you'll be called out at first base.
Infield Fly Rule
The infield fly rule trumps the tag-up rule when a fly ball is dropping into the infield and it is only in effect when one or more runners are already on base. The purpose of the rule is to prevent the fielding team from purposely dropping or not catching an infield fly with the intention of making a double play. The most common situation where the infield fly rule applies is a runner on first base with second base empty. Since base running rules prohibit two runners from occupying one base, the runner on first must take off toward second when the batter hits the fly ball. If the infield fly slices over the foul line and drops or is caught in foul territory, the base stealer must return to his original base, and does so freely.
Situations and Decisions
As a base runner and potential base stealer, it's your responsibility to be aware of the immediate situation. Getting tagged out attempting to steal when your offense has only one out results in the second out but allows the next batter in your lineup to come to the plate. Getting tagged out when your team has two outs results in the third out that ends the inning. A catcher with a good arm will attempt to throw a base stealer out at every opportunity. If the batter hits a pop foul or foul tip that's caught by the catcher as you are attempting to steal, you have two choices: return to the original base or attempt to make it to the target base.
Stealing a Base
In order to steal a base when a fly ball is caught, you must do two things: Observe the rules and make it to your target base before being tagged out. Most prolific base stealers are among the fastest players on their team. They have the instincts and ability needed to anticipate the instant a fielder catches a fly, tag up and get up to speed quickly. As they run, they keep their eyes on the baseball from the time it leaves a fielder's hand and make a last-second decision whether to slide into the base head first or feet first. You seldom see a successful stolen base end with the runner standing up, but it does happen.
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