When a baserunner advances by taking a base to which he is not entitled, this is referred to as stealing a base. This usually happens when a pitcher throws a pitch, but it may also happen when the pitcher still has the ball, is trying a pickoff, or when the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher. If the batter does not advance after receiving a base on what should have been an out, then he has stolen second base. If the batter reaches third base, it is called a triple. There are only three ways for a runner to reach third base: walk, hit by pitch, or score.
Stealing a base is important because it can give your team the lead. Also, if the pitcher makes a mistake while on the mound, a runner can often take advantage and get put out. Finally, stealing bases can be fun! There are many different strategies used by good base-stealers; some try to go straight for third base while others wait for a long throw from the pitcher. No matter what method is used, there's always a chance of getting caught.
In professional baseball, managers often communicate with their players before games whether they plan to use a lot of base-stealing tactics. If they decide to steal bases, then the coaches will work on strategy with them before the start of the game.
In the American League, teams tend to run more than in the National League.
When a base runner advances to the next base while the pitcher is throwing the ball to home plate, it is called a stolen base. Base stealers that are successful are not only quick, but also have outstanding baserunning instincts and timing. Because of this, many baseball fans consider stolen bases the most exciting part of the game.
Baseball has always been a game of collisions. If a player isn't involved in a collision at the time it happens, then he or she has likely had an excellent day at the ballpark. As far back as 1869, players were allowed to wear helmets designed for protection in collisions at the time they occurred. In 1890, the first automatic base-runner's signals were used by managers to try to get runners to go from one base to another.
In 1893, the first baseball with a metal center field fence was played. Before then, the center field fence was made of wood. The metal center field fence helped protect players from being hit by pitches. In 1920, the first baseball with lights for night games was played. Before then, night games had to be played under dark skies with no lights on the field. These early lighted games were often followed by rain delays that sometimes lasted several hours. In 1969, the first baseball with an aluminum center field fence was played. The metal center field fence provided more power when players hit it out of the park.
The rule on stolen bases stipulates that advancements credited to another play are not considered steal attempts. On a wild pitch or a passed ball, for example, the official scorer must determine whether the runner advanced to the next base before the pitch got away. If he did not, then it is not a legal steal attempt.
In other words, you can't steal second base until the pitcher has released the ball. If you do so before this point, you will be called out.
Stealing bases is a risky business. Some runners get caught every time they try to move up a base. Others make it all the way to third without being picked off.
In the early years of baseball, when there were only two bases per game, many games included several stolen bases. In fact, the first annual record book published by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1919 lists 36 stolen bases as "new developments" in the sport. But such events are now rare. Only eight players have ever been credited with 100 or more steals during their careers -- including Rogers Hornsby, who had more than 110 during his age-20 season (1895). Today's players probably would consider themselves lucky if they managed to go free past first base once in their career.
It is common in baseball and softball for a baserunner who is already on base to advance to the next base before or during a pitch (as opposed to when the ball is hit into play). The base is frequently given (e.g., "steal second base"). He owns the record for most base steals, averaging one or two each game.
Baserunning is important in baseball and softball because it gives your team another opportunity to score points. During a game, you will often see players running down the lines trying to get a base. At times this can be funny to watch since they often do not get out of the way in time for the pitcher or fielders to throw/kick the ball away. However, being able to successfully execute a bunt, steal second base, or slide into home plate while preventing an out from being made will give your team a chance to score more runs than if you simply stood at first base.
Stealing bases is very risky because if the catcher throws out the thief then he has committed an error that allows the other team to come up with runners on base. It is much safer for the base runner if the catcher will not throw him out; therefore, stealing bases is an art form that needs to be practiced by any player who hopes to be successful.
In order to try and prevent players from stealing bases, coaches sometimes use what are called pickoff moves.
In baseball or softball, no one will go to jail for stealing a base. A stolen base occurs when a runner advances one base without the assistance of a hit, error, walk, or wild pitch. What conditions must be met in order to steal a base? There are a few elements that must be in play for a runner to attempt to steal a base. First, the ball must be in motion. This includes balls hit into the outfield or caught by defenders. If any part of the ball is not in contact with the ground, it cannot be stolen. Also, runners can only steal bases within their own team's territory. That means they cannot steal across the line into another team's territory.
It is possible to be thrown out while attempting to steal a base. If a defender catches the baserunner running towards first and throws him out before he reaches the marker, then he has been thrown out. The baserunner cannot argue with this decision; instead, he should return to the plate if he is able to advance beyond first base. A runner is automatically out on his third strike through any means, even if he manages to reach first base safely. In this case, the batter is awarded two bases on errors.
Stealing a base is an act of aggression against your opponent. If you are in danger of being struck by a pitch, it is acceptable to take off for second base. However, if a pitcher's arm is not fully extended, you should expect to be hit by a fast ball.
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