A base lead is when you get off the base early. Typically, when the pitcher already has the ball.
A lead is only safe when you know where the ball is, particularly when the pitcher has the ball.
You can know when the pitcher has the ball in 3 different ways:
- A time-out is called.
- The pitcher is straddling or on top of the rubber.
- Your base coach says the pitcher has the ball.
If the pitcher does not have the ball. You are not taking a lead.
To take a lead. We are standing on the corner near 2nd, near the outfield, because that is the safest place to take a lead from.
We are stepping right, left, turn. Our eyes are ALWAYS on the ball/pitcher. Here's where we need to experiment. How far can you get off the bag? This is what we are here to learn today.
Our feet are never together. My knees are always bent. That way, at any point in time, I can jump and slide back to 1st base. Ideally, we want to be 1 step plus a slide back to 1st base. We are sliding back, head away from the pitcher. Right arm extended towards the outside corner of 1st base. We are looking away for 2 reasons:
1. Getting hit in the back of the helmet feels a lot better than getting hit in the nose.
2. On a passed ball, I can see it, and I know to get up and run (we are usually listening to our base coach here)
If you are going back to the bag standing up, best to touch the bag with your right foot, then you can swing around. Helps you get tagged less, but it also looks cooler, okay. Got to impress the boys.
Next, you need to know that 2 people may throw you out. The pitcher and the catcher. So do NOT get caught sleeping while not on the bag.
First, let's talk catcher. The catcher has two times when they like to back pick. When they first receive the ball. When they are up and pretending to throw the ball back to the pitcher. So be aware at all times.
The pitcher can also throw you out. So let's talk pitcher real quick.
At first, the lefties have an advantage. Lefties only need to plant their front foot towards 1st to throw you out. Technically, they need to be 45 degrees toward 1st with their front foot. What does that mean? Well, it's up to the umpire. A lot of times, they are not picky. So a lefty might land here.
Righties have a tougher time. They need to actually disengage from the rubber to back pick. But they can be sneaky with it too.
But a good pitcher will switch it up. Sometimes, they'll be getting the sign from the catcher and pick you off. Sometimes, they'll breathe and pick you off. Sometimes, they sneak the disconnect and pick you off. Lefties can pick up their foot like they are throwing a pitch and pick you off.
These rules are the opposite when going to third.
2nd is where you can get the biggest lead. A pitcher cannot throw a pickoff to a fielder. They HAVE to throw the ball to a base. So you can get a HUGE lead on 2nd. We are going to be aggressive. So if you see a 2nd baseman sneaking back towards 2nd and you think a pickoff is coming, you have 2 options.
1. Retreat towards 2nd.
2. Move towards 3rd.
Stealing home is a new challenge. You want to watch the catcher and the pitcher. When they get lazy, that's when you go. If the catcher stops looking you back, get aggressive on your lead. If the pitcher is not looking. GO.
