How to Steal a Base

Offensive skills such as base stealing are essential to help advance the runners during a game, but some baseball fans say that base stealing is a lost art. The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York commemorates impressive record breaking statistics such as stolen bases by Ricky Henderson. While he may not be available to give you tips, you can still use some simple methods to improve your stolen base success rate. Read on to learn how to steal a base.

Instructions

  1. Steal Second Base

    • 1

      Watch your third base coach for the sign to steal. The sign can be any type of non-verbal indicator that is hidden in a series of hand motions.

    • 2

      Stay focused on the pitcher once you get the go ahead sign.

    • 3

      Look at the pitcher's shoulders as a way to determine his intentions. If his shoulder is turned to you, he is likely going to throw the ball to the infielder at your base. This is not a good time to steal a base.

    • 4

      Get a good lead off before you steal your base. Use basic steps such as the crossover step to get yourself in motion.

    • 5

      Break the habit of using the shuffle step to start your base stealing. The shuffle step inefficiently keeps your body moving sideways rather than forward.

    • 6

      Use your arms to get your movement started. During the steal, every second counts.

    • 7

      Keep your center of gravity low to complicate the tag. The lower you are, the farther the infielder will have to reach to tag you out.

    Learn Techniques for Stealing Home

    • 8

      Pay close attention to your base coach before stealing home. With your back to the pitcher, you will have to trust your coach for direction.

    • 9

      Take your two-step lead from third base outside of the fair territory line. If you are in a lead-off position in fair territory and you are hit by the ball, the umpire will call you out.

    • 10

      Stand with your body square to the field. This will allow you to slide back to third base if the pitcher is trying to pick you off.

    • 11

      Watch the ball before you run all the way to home plate. If a pop fly is hit, you will have to go back to third base and tag up before stealing home.