Watching "Major League" and have a queston about rules for stealing base....

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Noticed in the final game as they show the stuff in slow motion.....

*Willie Mays--leads out from the base in prep to steal.

*Pitcher is awaiting the decision to pitch or throw to first.

*He opts to pitch.

*The character--begins the sprint to steal before the ball leaves the pitchers hand.

*CAtcher catches ball and throws to second.

*Second base player has foot on base but proceeds to tag Willie who is called safe for getting to the base before being tagged.


My questions:
1. What's the rule for stealing that makes a steal "legit" versus "not legit"? (I've watched some games--and sometimes they will throw the ball to the base the runner has left and the player is out and I don't know why.)

2. When is touching the base with the foot sufficient for an "out" versus when must they actualy tag the player with the ball?


I don't keep up with baseball and my DH didn't know the answer either...

 

[phorsenuf]

Noticed in the final game as they show the stuff in slow motion.....

*Willie Mays--leads out from the base in prep to steal.

*Pitcher is awaiting the decision to pitch or throw to first.

*He opts to pitch.

*The character--begins the sprint to steal before the ball leaves the pitchers hand.

*CAtcher catches ball and throws to second.

*Second base player has foot on base but proceeds to tag Willie who is called safe for getting to the base before being tagged.


My questions:
1. What's the rule for stealing that makes a steal "legit" versus "not legit"? (I've watched some games--and sometimes they will throw the ball to the base the runner has left and the player is out and I don't know why.)

2. When is touching the base with the foot sufficient for an "out" versus when must they actualy tag the player with the ball?


I don't keep up with baseball and my DH didn't know the answer either...

Because the batter did not hit the ball and run to first there was no forced base. So Willie had to be tagged to be out since he had a "choice" to go back to first if need be. If the batter had hit the ball and ran to first that would have forced Willie to second and then the foot on the bag would have been sufficient for an out because he had no choice to go back to first.

Did that make sense?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Because the batter did not hit the ball and run to first there was no forced base. So Willie had to be tagged to be out since he had a "choice" to go back to first if need be. If the batter had hit the ball and ran to first that would have forced Willie to second and then the foot on the bag would have been sufficient for an out because he had no choice to go back to first.

Did that make sense?

Yep---

So what determines if the pitcher throws the ball to first (departure) base or second (arrival base)?

It was two steal attempts in a row and the first, instead of pitching, the pitcher threw to second.


(I hope that makes sense.)

 

[phorsenuf]

Yep---

So what determines if the pitcher throws the ball to first (departure) base or second (arrival base)?

It was two steal attempts in a row and the first, instead of pitching, the pitcher threw to second.


(I hope that makes sense.)

If the pitcher felt that by throwing to second (instead of the batter) it's usually because the stealer had so much of a lead that the ball would have made it to the second baseman in enough time for the baseman to either tag him out or get him in a pickle and eventually get him out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If the pitcher felt that by throwing to second (instead of the batter) it's usually because the stealer had so much of a lead that the ball would have made it to the second baseman in enough time for the baseman to either tag him out or get him in a pickle and eventually get him out.

Okay--so then no specific rule for stealing, per se, then?


Thanks for your expertise!

 

[phorsenuf]

Okay--so then no specific rule for stealing, per se, then?


Thanks for your expertise!

Only to tag up on a pop fly.

My 'expertise' comes from many many years as a little league mom.

 

[MiniGirl]

Just chiming in to say that we love Bob Uecker in that movie....... "Just a bit outside" is a joke between my dh and I when something is just completely off but everyone wants to pretend it isn't.

 

[FireDancer]

A base runner can steal a base at any time he wishes. He does not have to wait for the pitcher to do anything.

If a pitchers is in contact with the pitching rubber he can only throw to an occupied base. Once he breaks contact with the rubber he becomes an infielder and can act accordingly.

If a base runner leaves first base for second while the pitcher has the ball and he has not yet started his windup (or lifted his front leg while in the stretch) he can break contact with the rubber and throw to second.

If the pitcher has lifted his front leg and has not yet broke an imaginary 45 degree plain with home he can throw the ball to first base only. To throw to second at this point would be a balk.

If the pitcher has crossed the 45 degree plain or has initiated the pitch from a wind up he must throw the ball to the catcher and only the catcher. To do anything else would be a balk.

At no time is a base runner stealing a base a force out (unless the ball is subsequently put into play) so the fielder must tag the runner directly and not merely tag the base.

Hope this clarifies it for you.

 

[3boymthr]

A runner is only out when the person covering the base touches the bag with his foot if there is another person running behind him and he can't turn around (force out).