Stolen Base

The ( colloquially: the ) Stolen Base ( German conquered time ) is a technical term from the baseball and is a consequence of steals. In baseball statistics, it appears as SB.

As Stolen base of the turn of baserunners is referred to, in which these forward runs to the next base while the pitch, and reaches this to be done without "Off". A runner must try to reach the next base at any time when the ball is in play and is released ( live - ball situation). This is done at your own risk and the risk of being tagged by a player of Defense "Off". The official scorer shall decide whether a Runner "stolen" a base has, or whether the advance is made ​​on the basis of another fact ( this distinction, however, is only relevant for statistics). Without an attempt by the defensive team to prevent the Steal, no Stolen base is counted. Can the trial of the Runners are thwarted and he is thereby made ​​"off", so this is a Caught Stealing and goes as such in the statistics. An unsuccessful attempt without negative consequences (if the runner does not reach the next base, but returns to its home base and there is safe ) is not included in the statistical recording.

Most commonly, the attempt to Stolen base between the first and second base is made ​​because the second base from the catcher, which is usually the player who has to throw the ball to stop the experiment there is farthest; these attempts are relatively common successful. More rarely succeeds a Steal between the second and third base, as the third base the catcher is already relatively close. Very rare and therefore are particularly spectacular home steals, ie Stolen Bases between third base and home plate, which simultaneously represent a point profit. This almost succeed only if the defense makes a gross error, such as coordination problems between the players or if a throw is not caught.

A Steal of the first base does not exist, since the batsman can not start running until he has successfully beaten the ball into the box. The only exception is the situation that a pitch that would have actually been the third strike and would therefore mean the end for the batsman, is not caught by the catcher or gets him out of control. In this case, the batsman may start running anyway and is, upon reaching the first base before the ball safe there. However, this comes in professional games extremely rare and is not counted as Stolen Base.

In order to successfully conquer a base in this way, a player must have for the situation on a high sprint speed, good reflexes and a sure eye. The assessment of whether a player is a good base stealer, depends less on the number of Stolen Bases, rather than the relationship between Caught Stealings and Stolen Bases. At least two thirds of the trials should be successful for a player is considered to be valuable in this category.

Importance in the game

For the run of play a Stolen Base is often of great importance, as it brings the runner at least in the so-called " scoring position". It means a runner on second or third base as " in scoring position" because from there in many cases by just a simple beat ( Single) a point (run) can be achieved. Running from the hit to first base namely takes a bit longer than walking from one base to the next, because you can not take the lead on the stroke and delay the changing posture of hitting running and dropping the racket the process further. If the ball is therefore so long out of control of the fielding side is that the batter reaches first base safely, this time for one already on a base runner is not enough rarely to two bases safe to run. In addition, the throw distance of the ball to home plate after a batted ball is usually on and the throw there therefore takes longer than a throw to first base. Thus providing yet another time advantage for the runner.

Tactics and execution

The various levels of actions that lead to a Stolen base, primarily to their timing, but also to the situation in which they are applied.

When Regular Steal the runner starts running at the moment to the next base, in which the pitcher has his pitch movement prepared so far that he pitch needs to perform in any case and can not cancel it without committing a balk.

Early Steal

The Early Steal is a steal compared to the Regular begun early attempt at a Stolen Base and is sometimes used in a situation in which each a runner on first and third base stands and you want to bring the defender to the ball for the first to throw or second base, so in the meantime, the runner from third base reaches home plate and can achieve a run. The risk of getting this done with a day "off" is higher than the Regular Steal, but at the same time the Defense is led rather to errors. When softball an Early Steal is a premature release from the base. The general rule is that a base runner only allowed to leave the base when the ball has left the hand of the pitcher. When softball Early Steal is punished with the "off" of baserunners.

Delayed Steal

The Delayed Steal is a tactic that leads to a deceptive maneuver to a Stolen Base. Here, a runner behaves as if he will not take a serious attempt to steal, then runs but still to the next base. By deception the attention of the infielders on the one hand reduced, but also the catcher not preparing for a throw to second base. In addition, the infielder will be tempted not to cover the second base (cover the base) and a possible throw the catcher is so not a destination. This way to achieve a Stolen Base, is feasible even for less strong sprint runners.

Double Steal

The Double Steal try two Runner simultaneously or with a short delay in the same turn, to achieve each a Stolen Base. The purpose may be to resolve a force play situation, or to obtain directly a run. Starts one of the Runner 's Sprint to the next base somewhat delayed, this is called the Delayed Double Steal

Hit and Run

Here is instructed by a hidden character ( sign ) of the batter, definitely hit on the following pitch, if this is just somewhat beatable. By the early start running the runner that can move along to the beat instead of just one often two bases. If you fail to shock, is the move to the Regular Steal, but can also lead to a double play, if the batted ball is caught from the air. The successful hit and run is not scored as Stolen base, but, owing to its execution on steals.