This week’s All Star Baseball Academy Tip of the Week comes to us from Marc Brown. Marc is a hitting and pitching instructor at ASBA Downingtown, and starred at Stony Brook University. Marc talked about the importance of timing the pitcher’s rhythm when trying to steal a base.
When many pitchers throw with runners on base they fall into a pattern. The pattern can be recognized after the pitcher comes set. Most pitchers come set and pause for the same amount of time on every pitch before delivering the pitch to home plate. They can also fall into a pattern with how many times they look over to check the runner. Some guys will look just once and fire home. Other pitchers will rock back before they lift their front leg to deliver to home plate. Not only does this give the runner more time to steal a base, it gives them a cue for when to steal.
The opposing team can make this pattern a nightmare for the pitcher and catcher by counting the amount of time the pitcher stays in the set position, his number of looks, and seeing if he rocks back. If this pattern is seen, the runners can easily steal the next base.
When you or another teammate gets on base and the pitcher comes set, count the number of seconds that pass by until their first movement, along with how many times they look over. If the pitcher consistently throws home on the same amount of time and with the same number of looks, you have recognized the pitcher's throwing pattern. If given the steal sign, take off on the exact count and you will find yourself standing up at second or third before the other team knows what happened!
Stay tuned for next week’s All Star Baseball Academy Tip of the Week. If you have questions about base running or want to schedule lessons, please contact your local ASBA facility.
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