2nd Basemen on Steal

Assume only a runner on 1st that is stealing on the pitch, expecting SS to cover 2nd base.

I think “normally” the 2nd baseman is expected to back up the SS.

One of DD’s Teams the 2nd basemen’s only responsibility was to yell steal and stay out of the way of the runner.

I think the theory was the 2nd basemen were cheating too much towards 2nd before the play in order to get to the depth they needed to back up the SS on the play at 2nd.

I am begining to like the 2nd basemen staying put.

Thoughts? What does your 2nd do on this play?

(I have some more stupid questions that I might start a thread for depending on how this goes. )

You didn't specify the age but the older they get the less your second baseman and SS will back up steals. There isn't enough time to get to get to a meaningful depth to back up the throw. They should focus on defending their positions instead of running back and forth trying to back up the steal.

Let the OF back up the steal.

As a coach, if I see the opposing second baseman backing up the ss on steals. I'll almost always call a bunt to first base side.
I highly recommend that you change your approach and have the cf back up ss, so that your 2b is available to cover 1 on bunts.

coach james said:

As a coach, if I see the opposing second baseman backing up the ss on steals. I'll almost always call a bunt to first base side.
I highly recommend that you change your approach and have the cf back up ss, so that your 2b is available to cover 1 on bunts.

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One of my primary goals is to determine how a team defends various situations. I then build my game plan around that. How teams handle bunts or steals are two of the first things I watch.

Something else to think about for the coaches....

In this situation, the base umpire will be moving to second to see the play on the steal at second base.
I have often had instances where F4 either almost collided with me as she moved to a backup postion or moved right in front of me as the play is happening blocking my view of the play. If I don't see an out, I can't call an out.

As the play at second on a steal is often a close play, the umpire needs a clear look at it to make a good ruling.

coach james said:

As a coach, if I see the opposing second baseman backing up the ss on steals. I'll almost always call a bunt to first base side.
I highly recommend that you change your approach and have the cf back up ss, so that your 2b is available to cover 1 on bunts.

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Amen! Also, if both your ss and 2b are moving with the runner stealing? Two huge holes just opened up. There's no point in both covering.

If you have an inexperienced/semi-experienced team I would tell your second baseman to stay put on a steal, period. An (really) experienced team, you MAY have a *called* situation where you want 2b covering the steal, but 1st base has to stay back and pitcher covers bunt to 1st base side. One reason to consider keeping this rare though, pitchers may be (mine are) conditioned not to go for bunts unless they're swinging bunts or bunted hard directly to them. This called situation, then, is a play where both your 2b AND pitcher are adopting mindsets of which it probably took a long time to rid them and into which you don't want them falling back - a lot will depend on the girls you have in those positions IMHO.

On straight steals of 2, we will show left slap and pull. This will typically hold a good well coached shortstop and make 2nd race to cover with the wrong glove and angle. It also makes the rightie catcher have to adjust and throw around a batter who is in front of their throwing arm. If the SS doesn't stay and wait to see no slap, we will take that slap occasionally and shoot it at the 6 hole. OF always backs up steals of 2 and 3.

OF should be backing up steal attempts. SS will typically cover 2B on steals, but if SS is cheating towards 3rd because of a game situation, 2B may need to cover the bag. A coach or the catcher should make the defensive play call so everyone knows their responsibility.

I've never had 2B back up SS on steals. I teach 2B to either hang out for bunts or when there is a runner on 3rd I have 2B make a move to cut-off the throw between the pitching circle & 2B in the event the runner on 3rd makes a break for home.

I have the OF be the back-ups on each base for most every play.

For my 10u team we have SS take the throw. OF backs up all the bases.