Baseball Base Running--My Unique Key For Stealing Second Base!
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
by Larry Cicchiello
Larwenty Online Enterprises Inc
With a right-handed pitcher, the base runner on first base needs to "key" on a body part of the pitcher. The base runner has to look at this key to help him determine when and if the pitcher is throwing to the plate. Almost all baseball base running tips suggest the same key to use. Read a much better key that will be much more helpful to you!
If you are attempting to steal second base, it will let you know when you can start your sprint toward second base. Many base runners are taught to use the right-handed pitcher's front left heel as their key. In other words, after the pitcher comes set, the base runner watches to see if the front heel is brought back toward the pitching rubber. This tells the base runner that the pitcher must throw to the plate. Once the pitcher brings the heel back, the pitcher can not turn and then throw to first base or it's a balk.
The thing I don't like about using the right-handed pitcher's front heel as your key is that pitchers " play games " with the front left heel to deceive the base runner. Pitchers have a tendency to be very smart and I know for a fact what they are starting to do the last several years. Some pitchers will actually move the heel for a fraction of a second slightly back toward the rubber and then deceive the base runner and throw to first base. The base runner who is keying on the heel sometimes gets picked off by what should have been called a balk.
In fairness to the umpires, it is not easy for an umpire to see something as small as a pitcher's foot move illegally for only a fraction of a second. My favorite key is the front left shoulder of the right-handed pitcher. If the right-handed pitcher comes set and you see the front left shoulder go toward first base, get back to the base because he's trying to pick you off. If he pulls the shoulder backward toward the pitching rubber, the pitcher must throw the ball home and you should then be taking your secondary lead or sprinting toward second base if you are stealing. It's more difficult for the pitcher to be as deceptive with the front shoulder. It's easier for the umpire to see a balk with the shoulder, compared to a balk with the heel or foot because umpires are not usually looking down low near the ground. That and the fact that the shoulder is simply much larger and easier for the umpire to see.
One of the better baseball base running tips to remember is that the front left shoulder of a right-handed pitcher is an outstanding key for a base runner on first base and is a much better key than the traditional front left heel. Show everyone how well schooled you are!
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