Double Steal

[soapbox]

I'm in C. R1 and R2 and on the pitch, I hear they are going. I immediately start towards 3B to get ready for throw. Dumbass me! F2 throws to 2B. Bad throw, not close so easy call, buy I'm not in position. Where am I supposed to be? I know to follow the ball, but the 18 year olds move a tad quicker than I do so I was just trying to get as close as possible and create angle. Is there a proper spot on the field I should be in?

[noumpere]

Take one step forward and then read the catcher's shoulders to see where hes throwing and then step either toward the third base line about half way to home or drop step toward second. He could still change his mind so dont turn until the ball is in the air.

[bam]

Follow the ball.

[Jocko]

Hesitate, read the play, let the throw turn you. React, don't anticipate.

[renegadewolf]

Sometimes it's the factors we don't generally pay a lot of attention to (for example R1 is a lot slower a runner than R2) that the teams playing keep very good track of that makes for plays we don't anticipate, Catchers and Shortstop always seem to be a trove of that sort of information, but I digress. Perhaps R1 left late or R2 got a real big jump and there was no way the catcher was going to beat him, stuff that is generally happening behind our backs which is why as everyone else has said, follow the ball it will tell you where it's going. Generally when the throw is being made we will have time to make a couple choice steps to get ourselves a little closer or at a better angle before we have to stop again, so look to see where the ball is going and move accordingly.

[zm1283]

Take one step forward and then read the catcher's shoulders to see where hes throwing and then step either toward the third base line about half way to home or drop step toward second. He could still change his mind so dont turn until the ball is in the air.

This is exactly how I've been taught. The initial step forward gets your angle started for the possible play at third. It also doesn't carry you too far toward third so you can still drop step and get in position if the catcher throws to second.

[Dragon29]

Take one step forward and then read the catcher's shoulders to see where hes throwing and then step either toward the third base line about half way to home or drop step toward second. He could still change his mind so dont turn until the ball is in the air.

This is exactly how I've been taught. The initial step forward gets your angle started for the possible play at third. It also doesn't carry you too far toward third so you can still drop step and get in position if the catcher throws to second.

We're taught something similar - the difference being that we are instructed to take our first step with the foot that's on the side of the ball. In other words, from 'C' if the throw goes to 2B, your first step is back w/your left foot - this allows you to follow the ball and open up (3 steps) to 2B as the play is being made; if the throw goes to 3B, your first step is forward with the right - again, this allows you to follow the ball and open up (2 steps) to 3B. It's worked for me - YMMV.

[noumpere]

We're taught something similar - the difference being that we are instructed to take our first step with the foot that's on the side of the ball. In other words, from 'C' if the throw goes to 2B, your first step is back w/your left foot - this allows you to follow the ball and open up (3 steps) to 2B as the play is being made; if the throw goes to 3B, your first step is forward with the right - again, this allows you to follow the ball and open up (2 steps) to 3B. It's worked for me - YMMV.

That doesnt work imo because you are waiting to see where the ball is thrown before moving and thats too late imo (at least if Im reading you correctly). You need to step up as the play starts then move as it develops then adjust as you read the throw.

[soapbox]

I was like a middle infielder cheating. And I got caught. I anticipated the play instead of doing what I preach which is follow the ball. Thanks all.

[Dragon29]

We're taught something similar - the difference being that we are instructed to take our first step with the foot that's on the side of the ball. In other words, from 'C' if the throw goes to 2B, your first step is back w/your left foot - this allows you to follow the ball and open up (3 steps) to 2B as the play is being made; if the throw goes to 3B, your first step is forward with the right - again, this allows you to follow the ball and open up (2 steps) to 3B. It's worked for me - YMMV.

That doesnt work imo because you are waiting to see where the ball is thrown before moving and thats too late imo (at least if Im reading you correctly). You need to step up as the play starts then move as it develops then adjust as you read the throw.

Yes, I do wait until the throw is made, but have not had a hard time getting in good position to see the end of the play. It may help that I'm 6'5" and when I make the 2-step move towards 3B, I cover quite a bit of distance as well. As I said, YMMV.

[Guest]

I'm in C. R1 and R2 and on the pitch, I hear they are going. I immediately start towards 3B to get ready for throw. Dumbass me! F2 throws to 2B. Bad throw, not close so easy call, buy I'm not in position. Where am I supposed to be? I know to follow the ball, but the 18 year olds move a tad quicker than I do so I was just trying to get as close as possible and create angle. Is there a proper spot on the field I should be in?

You shouldn't be waiting to hear R2 stealing 3B to deduce a steal attempt. You will get burned by fast, quiet runners.

Every pitch, unless you have a 100000% guarantee no steal threat at 2B, you should be checking the runner over your right shoulder as soon as F1 commits to his pitch and then checking again a second time once the ball has gotten to the plate area and the batter has swung / not swung in the event of a ball in the dirt / delayed steal.