A straight steal of home

Segment 12 in "trick or treat" month

Quite possibly the most exciting play in all of baseball is a straight steal of home. It requires a great deal of timing and effort to teach the play but it can be done if the offense knows what to look for and has speed at 3rd.

Quite simply, if the pitcher is throwing out of the stretch the play is off. You can't expect to straight steal home plate if the pitcher works from the stretch.

Now, if the pitcher is throwing from the windup there is a chance to consider this high risk play. If the pitcher happens to be lefthanded it gains more merit. This is because the lefthanded pitcher turns his back on the runner at 3rd base when he begins his windup.

So, speed at 3rd base and a lefty on the mound going out of the windup. What else needs to take place to pull off the heist? You need a 3B that is somewhat deep not guarding against a bunt. This allows the runner on 3B to get comfortabkle taking a walking lead off of the base. There are some predictable times when a 3B might be deep. 1) 2 strikes, but you rarely steal home with 2 strikes because the batter must swing in case the ball is a strike. 2) 2 outs, as the 3B sometimes gives a little ground to try and improve his range. 3) a non bunt threat in the box. If the 3B doesn't have to guard against the bunt, then he can give ground to play the batted ball.

If all of the scenarios exist to steal home then the last phase rests with the runner himself. In all likelihood the pitcher will stand facing the catcher to receive his sign. When the sign is accepted, the pitcher will nod and then check the runner at 3rd. As the pitcher turns to look back to pitch he will begin windup. It is at this time that the runner should become full speed with the intent of stealing home. As the lefty turns his back on the runner at 3B, it becomes more difficult to see his intention. There is a chance that the basestealer can cover approximately 75 ft. in the time that it takes the pitcher to throw home.

Whew! What a play if it can be pulled off.