Baseball Drills - Steal All You Want Off Lefties

Good base runners and base stealers begin looking for cues baseball help them advance to the next base way before they set foot on the base paths. Many players sit and watch for patterns within the game, particularly from the pitcher and infielders. This ability to pick up patterns in behavior when runners are on base can be a massive advantage to any base runner. If you're really serious about baseball that extra bag, you'll incorporate this thinking and work into your baseball drills. If you're a coach reading this, it would be well worth your time to create some awareness of this topic and implement this into your team baseball instruction during practice. This article will focus specifically on patterns often developed by left-handed pitchers. Being a lefty myself, I'm well aware of some of the patterns of movement that tip base stealers off!

1. Youth pitchers who are first learning how to pitch out of the stretch are often unaware of their pace and tempo on the mound. This age group between 13-15 years old is a great time to have a hay day on the base paths. After 15 years old, many coaches have identified this problem and incorporated some tempo training into their baseball instruction to solve this mistake. As a runner, look for lefty pitchers to come into the set position for the same amount of time each pitch. Usually it's about one full second, then they will deliver the pitch. Once pitchers find this rhythm it's extremely difficult to feel comfortable changing it at a young age. Take advantage of this and swipe all the bases you want by stealing right before the pitcher begins his delivery. Your movement early won't be enough for the pitcher to change gears and attempt a pick-off, his mind is made up that he will deliver the pitch.

2. One other great way to get the "jump" on a left-handed pitcher at first base only is to watch his head. In general (and I don't know why), most lefty pitchers will create distinct patterns in their head movement that will dictate a pick-off or delivery. Test these out and practice them in your baseball drills!

A. If a lefty hurler brings his leg up and he is looking at you on first base, there is a high percentage chance he will be throwing the pitch to home plate. Therefore, take off running when you see this! Even if you're wrong and he picks you off, you have a good chance of being safe at second base if you run full tilt. It takes a pretty darn good throw by the first baseman to nail you at second.

B. If a lefty brings his leg up and he is looking towards the catcher, he will likely be attempting a pick-off over to first base.

Just implementing these two practices into your baseball drills while running bases, you'll find that you'll take all the bases you want as a base stealer. That is, until the opposing side figures out your secret!

Nate Barnett is owner of BMI Baseball designed to improve the mental game in athletes. Come download a free ebook on dealing with failure in baseball.