Stealing bases in college softball

[MsDinosaur]

Like many sports is it getting to the point that the players are getting too good for the sport...?

Some of the girls are probably just too fast to throw out, but not nearly as many as the stats would make you think.

All they have to do is start enforcing the existing rules on leaving early. Sure the running game is exciting, but 590-of-681 for steals in the SEC? Over 86% of attempts successful against some of the best catchers and middle infielders in the game? We're not talking catchers throwing rainbows or middle infielders who were too busy watching the clouds to cover the bag. And it's also not just the crazy fast girls making these steals; seems to me as though most girls are stealing at will. The only girls I've noticed staying put are the big, slow power hitters. (I could be mistaken. I would love to see some stats on the percentage of girls on each team with successful steals.)

 

[nicelag]

It appears that umpires are watching the pitchers more closely, and calling more illegal pitches. That being said if they are putting more attention into that place they obviously have to take it from somewhere else. Micromanage the details of pitching, and they can't see you leave a little early. Sounds like it might be good coaching to me. Do it until they call it, and as of now it is 590 times so they are way ahead of the game.

 

[CoogansBluff]

I would love to see some stats on the percentage of girls on each team with successful steals.)

I've looked at the top 100 players in the SEC based on number of AB. These 100 players average 80 AB.

0 - 21 (21 players have 0 SB)
1 - 16
2 - 8
3 - 10
4 - 4
5 - 8
6 - 8
7 - 0
8 - 5
9 - 5
10 - 3
11 - 0
12 - 1
13 - 1
14 - 2
15 - 0
16 - 2
17 - 0
18 - 1
19 - 0
20 - 1
21 - 2
22 - 0
23 - 1
37 - 1

So, 37 of 100 virtually never steal a base (0 or 1).

But, most (55 of 100) have at least 3, and the average player has 4.92 in 80 AB. That comes to 30 SB in 500 AB for those who are baseball oriented. Anybody who steals 30 bases in MLB is an outstanding base-stealer, so if the average SEC player is stealing at that rate, it's safe to say that the stolen base is a much bigger weapon in SEC softball than it is in major league baseball.

 

[CoogansBluff]

Another interesting stat --

There are 25 SEC players with at least 7 stolen bases.
There are 22 SEC players with at least 7 home runs.
Only 3 SEC players are in both groups (Page/SC, Geer/UT, Merritt/UF)

So you can sorta divide players by power & speed. Not many are really good at both, or at least not many are employed in that dual-threat role.

 

[Greenmonsters]

I've looked at the top 100 players in the SEC based on number of AB. These 100 players average 80 AB.

0 - 21 (21 players have 0 SB)
1 - 16
2 - 8
3 - 10
4 - 4
5 - 8
6 - 8
7 - 0
8 - 5
9 - 5
10 - 3
11 - 0
12 - 1
13 - 1
14 - 2
15 - 0
16 - 2
17 - 0
18 - 1
19 - 0
20 - 1
21 - 2
22 - 0
23 - 1
37 - 1

So, 37 of 100 virtually never steal a base (0 or 1).

But, most (55 of 100) have at least 3, and the average player has 4.92 in 80 AB. That comes to 30 SB in 500 AB for those who are baseball oriented. Anybody who steals 30 bases in MLB is an outstanding base-stealer, so if the average SEC player is stealing at that rate, it's safe to say that the stolen base is a much bigger weapon in SEC softball than it is in major league baseball.

Don't forget that SB has the re-entry rule which allows for pinch-running specialists!