- May 29, 2015
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The ball travels significantly faster than the runner is running. Even if you have some weak-armed catcher who throws 30 mph, that's still likely more than twice the speed most runners.
That is true. But we still have stolen bases and runners thrown out in baseball on 90' bases* (yes, they can lead off, which cuts the run down to about 80'). I think the players would adjust.
I guess the question would be to look at the percentages of stolen bases/caught stealing.
*Although MLB just tweaked the bases and added a few inches to encourage more stolen bases.