Base Stealing Tips | The math of how to steal a base from a TX Ranger

If you plan to steal bases, this is very important. In fact, it’s so important that I’m going to do something I’ve never done before – give you some homework!

So, watch the video, and then see the homework below.

Your base stealing homework…

If you already know your time from first to second WITH a lead, comment below with your time (it’s ok to be anonymous).

If you DON’T know how long it takes you to run 78 feet (26 yards), then your homework is to get out to the baseball field and time yourself… then come back here and comment below to let me know you did it.

Or if you’re a coach, put this challenge to your team:

Base Stealing Tips | The math of how to steal a base from a TX Ranger Tweet: The #1 base stealing tip is KNOW YOUR MATH. Watch this video https://ctt.ec/YKheW+ then tweet your time @lowliners #baseballhomework

Like I said, I’ve never done this before, but you need to know this info if you plan to steal bases successfully. So I’m going to be your accountability partner here. Learn your time, and then comment below with the number.

Cheers,

Doug

PS. We can notify you of new posts and send you exclusive instruction from the pros if you click here to sign up for our emails.

Video Transcript Below

The 26 yard sprint or the 78 foot sprint… It doesn’t matter what you call it because its the same distance. But why is that so important? The reason we pick that number is because an average lead at first base is about 12 feet. So you’ve got 90 feet between bases and when you take 12 off that leaves you with 26 yards which is 78 feet. That’s an important number to know [Know your time!  How fast do you run that distance?]

When you’re looking to steal a base, there’s a couple numbers you try to add up really quickly.

  1. Pitcher – You’ve got the pitcher’s time, from the time he starts his motion to the time the catcher catches the ball. So that’s usually about 1.3 seconds or so.
  2. Catcher – Another time you factor in is the catcher throwing from home to 2nd base. The average catcher is around 2.0 seconds.

So when you add those 2 times up you get somewhere around 3.3 seconds.

So I’m taking my lead, my 12 foot lead and I sprint and I know that if I’m about a 3.5, It takes me 3.5 seconds from my lead to get to 2nd base, then I know that I’m only looking to steal if the pitcher gets up into the 1.5 range. So this distance just gives me an idea, an educated guess if I can steal 2nd base.

Again, of all the base stealing tips I could give you, this one is big!  Was this post on how to steal a base helpful?  Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

More Base Stealing Tips

  • How to Steal 2nd off a Righty
  • How to Steal 2nd off a Lefty
  • 12 Signs of good base running
  • click here for all related base running and base stealing tips from the pros!

To get notified of new posts like this join our email list.

Click Here to Subscribe