Pitcher is a one looker. But, how?

When a runner gets to 2nd base, good offensive teams look to see if the pitcher is a one looker. In other words, does he check the runner at 2nd once only and then throw home. This means he is pitching in rhythm. If a pitcher always pitches at the same tempo, he is vulnerable to a steal of 3B.

However, I think that there might be more to it than that. I think that being a one looker doesn't tell the whole story. Some pitchers do a better job than others at holding runners at 2nd despite being a one looker. So, what's the difference?

It's the manner in which they look once.

Let's break the look down into three parts. There is the pre-look, the look and the post-look. How do all three affect the base stealers ability to steal the bag?

The biggest opportunity exists when there is a large gap between the look and the post-look. When a pitcher looks at the runner at 2nd he then must re-focus his attention back to the catcher and pitching to the hitter. When the pitcher takes a slightly longer period of time after his look it allows for the runner to gain an advantage by shuffling in the direction of third base. The same shuffle can be taken when the time period is small but it's harder to ask the runner to trust his shuffle when it very well might be that the pitcher still has his eyes on you.

Another opportunity exists during the pre-look. This is the time that the pitcher gets his signal and prepares to come set and look at the runner. A base stealer prefers that the pitcher take his time in getting his signal. This allows him to get a feel for where the middle infielders are so he can slightly extend his lead. A quick tempo for the pitcher in the pre-look takes some prepatory work away from the basestealer.

In a nutshell, a one looker comes in many different styles. The easiest one looker to steal on is the deliberate one looker. The hardest one to steal on is the quick working one looker.