So, tell me your theories on stealing.

[JayW]

Stealing also causes SS or 2B to open up a big hole for the hitter.

 

[Eric F]

Stealing 2nd is also good to avoid the FC and double play.

...with the trade-off being a higher chance of being doubled off on a caught line drive.

 

[erniekru]

I'm betting your DD's F6 is excellent, which is a critical part of the equation. Former F6 on my DD's team ('21 grad) had spectacular hands for receiving and tagging. They got a lot of outs together. The current crop of F6s on the team aren't at the same level, and SB attempts have been a lot more successful. DD is frustrated.

Yes, F6 is outright tremendous! However, no matter what, the ball has to get to the right spot. Pretty much anything outside a 2'x3' box right in front of the bag is going to be a tough out. I haven't seen a slow baserunner yet!

 

[JayW]

...with the trade-off being a higher chance of being doubled off on a caught line drive.

the opposite is true. runner on 2nd doesnt have to run.

 

[erniekru]

Stealing also causes SS or 2B to open up a big hole for the hitter.

Interesting, I almost never see a "hit-n-run" called in DD's games. Must be problematic with so many pop ups, etc and chances to get doubled up.

 

[Eric F]

the opposite is true. runner on 2nd doesnt have to run.

Ummm...wut? If the runner is stealing 2B, that means they would need to return to 1B if the ball is caught. A caught line drive by anyone but F7 is probably an easy double-off.

EDIT: I see now that we are talking about 2 different things. My mistake.

 

[JayW]

yep. i was thinking about the runner already being there. but the hit and run i was talking about in the next scenario would certainly open up that possibility. would probably lean toward bunting up the first base line on the hit and run.

 

[_MIA_]

If MI are taught correctly and the MI are athletic enough they are staying put until they are sure the ball isn’t hit. The only hole would be from the MI squeezing the middle some. This is a difference with baseball where you typically vacate your position as soon as the runner is going hence more hit and runs (or there used to be at least..)

 

[Bullseye]

Stealing is not advised unless you are supper efficient at it. I forget what the percentage you need to steal at (80%?) but if you can't steal at that rate you are wasting outs.

Additionally the value you are getting for stealing a base is really small. It was something like you needed 4 stolen bases to expect one additional run.

As spoken by a coach with no running speed on his roster.

 

[_MIA_]

As spoken by a coach with no running speed on his roster.

So if you have team speed they give you runs for stealing even if, for whatever reason, you get thrown out a lot? Interesting….