Stealing Third

[DirtyDawg]

High school baseball: I'm struggling to get into position to get into a good position to watch the steal of third. I think it's because I have trouble picking up the runner breaking from second on the way to third. Any input??

[Dragon29]

I'm not sure it's so much about 'picking up the runner breaking from second' as it is keeping an eye on the catcher. One of the things I see guys who are fairly new to 90' bases do is to look at the runners too often &/or too long, causing them to lose focus on the ball.

When I'm BU, I only glance at the runners on base before the pitch is thrown; once it's thrown, keep your eye on the ball - don't even bother to think about what the runner may or may not do - if you see the catcher start his throw to 3B, take a step (or two) in toward the mound and be ready to turn with the throw. That should put you in perfect position to see the play.

Anyway, that's my :D

[JaxRolo]

High school baseball: I'm struggling to get into position to get into a good position to watch the steal of third. I think it's because I have trouble picking up the runner breaking from second on the way to third. Any input??

I normally don't care when the runner breaks for 3rd .

I take it you are in C so there is no reason to look at the runner during the pitch. You must watch the ball and be able to see a check swing or foul of the foot or something. Then if F2 throws to 3rd follow the ball to the base, pivot, come set and make the call.

[Umpire in Chief]

I like "cheating" to know the runner is going. I listen for the footsteps, the teams yelling "he's going" but I don't take my eye off the ball. I may even take a step or two myself to where I need to be before the throw to third is made.

[Guest]

Teaching BU to not look over their shoulder is wrong.

It is an advanced mechanic simply called the "shoulder check"

It is simple: once the pitcher has committed to the pitch, BU glances quickly over their right shoulder. Immediately snap back to the plate.

You must wait to ensure that you do not look away too early and miss a balk, but not too long in case you are needed on the check swing appeal.

To anyone who doubts me, refer to Jim Evans' Maximizing the Two Umpire System.

Anyone who has read Bruce Weber's As They See 'Em will recall one of the differences he noticed about your average kiddie ball game and a pro game is how quiet stealing runners are. Thus, as one rises up the levels, this mechanic becomes more and more of a requirement in order to get into proper position.

As for actual footwork / movement on the steal, it is simple:

When you pick up the runner is going, slowly creep forward (this is done during the pitch). At this point, ignore the catcher and check to see if the runner is still moving towards third. If you focus on the catcher, you may misread his movement and move to the wrong base - you see this if the runner was bluffing and the catcher tries to throw behind him.

Once you determine a legitimate steal attempt, bust forward as hard as you can with your focus on the ball. Once you get to the "imaginary line" that runs directly between first base and third base, square your body towards third base and move in as far as the play will allow.

If you cannot make it to the imaginary line in time, chances are your C / P4 position is too deep. Move up. This is why in a 3-Man, with R1 and R2, the umpire in the middle does not take a Deep C / P4 position. If you get caught snoozing (and it happens to us all), move in as far as you can and forget about closing the distance to third base...angle over distance remember.

The first few times, it will feel uncomfortable, however, this will not last too long and you should notice a much better look at steals of third.

[UmpTTS43]

With a steal of 3rd, we have two senarios: R2 only and R1/R2. With either situation, you should be in C position, on a line from home plate, tangent with the 18 ft circle, approximately half way between the pitcher's plate and the base, body square to the plate. Whenever there is a possibility of a steal, you should always take a peek at R2, over your right shoulder. You take this peek when the pitcher commits to the plate. If you peek too soon, you may miss a pickoff move or a balk. If you peek too late, you might have a hard time picking up the pitch and check swing responsibilities. This is a quick peek to check the status of the runner. With enough practice, you should be able to get a peek in and be able to refocus on the ball just as the pitcher relases it, if not sooner. There may be other cues alerting you that the runner is going such as the defense yelling "He's going."

With R2 only, if the runner is stealing, you can start to move into position as the pitch is delivered. With your right foot, you want to step towards the third base foul line in a direction towards the imaginary 45' line. This helps establish your angle for the play. Try to get as much distance as possible while reading the catcher, or the ball in the event it is hit. When the catcher releases the ball, turn with the throw, come set and observe the play. With proper footwork, you should be able to create your angle and get enough distance to appear that you are on top of the play. Most times, I am able to get to just short of the cutout. If you are not able to get that far, creating your angle is the most important factor. Once you make your mental call, you can further sell it by signaling it while stepping closer to the base. At the conclusion of your call, you can be at the cutout and appear you were closer to the play than you actually were.

With R1/R2 you are not able to immediately move towards third in the event that the initial throw goes to second. You don't want to run yourself out of that play. When I read that R2 is stealing, I take a step forward and read the catcher. Let the catcher's throw take you to the play. If the catcher's first move is towards third, take a step towards your angle. Keep in mind that the catcher may initially look like he is going to third, but go to second to get R1. Once the throw is released, you may be able to get an additional step or two prior to coming set. Again, while signaling your decision, you can gain extra distance towards the play. You will not get as much distance on this play so creating the correct angle is imperative.

Proper recognition and footwork are the keys to success in getting into position for these plays.

[JaxRolo]

There is some good advice by others on here but I think that "peeking" may lead to trouble. You will always know when the runner is going by the reaction of others.

Yes I glance at the runner but this is before F1 gets on the rubber.

I think it is more important to watch for "balks"or anything else that may happen in front of you.

I am just a rookie at this so I am doing whats comfortable for me right now.

I have been making notes for when I go to the Southern Camp and I will ask about this.

[UmpTTS43]

There is some good advice by others on here but I think that "peeking" may lead to trouble. You will always know when the runner is going by the reaction of others.

Yes I glance at the runner but this is before F1 gets on the rubber.

I think it is more important to watch for "balks"or anything else that may happen in front of you.

I am just a rookie at this so I am doing whats comfortable for me right now.

I have been making notes for when I go to the Southern Camp and I will ask about this.

I understand your thought process, however, you will not always get cues from players on steal attempts. I have had steal attempts where no one said a word. "Peeking" can lead to trouble if you do it at the wrong time and for the wrong duration. When the pitcher commits to the plate is the correct time. A brief peek is the correct duration. You need to have as much information as possible in order to be in the best position for a possible play. Peeking gives you information. I cannot say what the Southern Camp will teach, but any pro school and advanced college camps teach this. Just takes a little practice.

[Dragon29]

Just to clarify (as it seems some may have misinterpreted my post) I never meant to suggest the BU be taught to ignore the runners between, before and during pitches; I was simply suggesting that dirtydawg may want to consider whether or not he is spending too much time looking at those runners prior to and during the pitch.

That's all.

BTW: Even with glancing at them as I do, I still use the 'cheats' Warren mentioned, and I'm willing to bet most of us do. (though, I don't see why you would call them 'cheats'?)

There is one piece of advice given by ump_24 that I have to disagree with. He wrote,

"Once you get to the "imaginary line" that runs directly between first base and third base, square your body towards third base and move in as far as the play will allow."

While it usually times out about as he describes, I have been taught to not square up until I see and judge the quality of the throw. It's a minor difference, and may be exactly what ump_24 meant anyway.

[Umpire in Chief]

Peeking when the pitcher is committed to go is good too.

[noumpere]

Yes I glance at the runner but this is before F1 gets on the rubber.

Stop doing this as a matter of habit. If there's some specific reason to look (not that I can think of any at the moment), then address it.

I am just a rookie at this so I am doing whats comfortable for me right now.

That's why "peeking" is an advanced mechanic.

[JaxRolo]

Yes I glance at the runner but this is before F1 gets on the rubber.

Stop doing this as a matter of habit. If there's some specific reason to look (not that I can think of any at the moment), then address it.

That's why "peeking" is an advanced mechanic.

Its more than just a look at the runner. I take a quick look all around to be aware of what going on behind me.

Someday I will be advanced like you and apply this.

[mstaylor]

Jax:

One of these days looking behind you before the pitcher steps on the rubber will bite you in the butt. It makes no difference what is going on behind you, what the guy with the ball is doing does. The PU has a look at wha is behind you and if something is off he will stop it and fix it. If you turn and as you turn back the pitcher throws to a base, you will be looking the wrong way. Remember nothing can happen without the ball.

Now, as far as peeking after the pitcher commits, it is taught by NCAA but I don't do it. There is nothing wrong with it but I feel like I don't get back focused well enough so I don't look.