First Base Baseball
Let's say that you are on first base and a right-handed pitcher is on the mound and he is pitching from the stretch position. After he comes to the set position, you should use a "key" to help you determine if the pitcher is going to throw to the plate or if the pitcher is going to throw to first base for an attempted pick off. The "key" is some part of the pitcher's body that moves a certain way, where you would then know that it is safe to take your secondary lead.
If you are attempting to steal second base, it will let you know when you can start sprinting toward second base. Many base runners use the right-handed pitcher's front left heel as their "key." In other words, after the pitcher comes set, the 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, he can not turn and then throw to first base or it is a balk.
The thing I don't like about using the pitcher's front heel as your key is that baseball pitchers "play games" with the front 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 runner who is keying on the heel sometimes gets picked off by what should have been called a balk.
In fairness to baseball 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 nail you. If he pulls the shoulder backward, 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.
This front shoulder is an excellent key for a base runner on first base and is a better key than the front heel!
About the Author:
Larry is the president of Larwenty Online Enterprises Inc. He is also the author of "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." If you are a baseball player or baseball coach at any level, or a parent who wants to help your child improve, you will be fully equipped! Baseball tips on hitting, baseball coaching drills, baseball pitching tips, baseball fielding tips, etc. Larry's baseball website offers several FREE TIPS that are straight from his very informative and very fairly priced eBooks.
Website: http://www.larrybaseball.com/
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Baseball Base Running---Thinking Of Stealing Second Base?
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