Throughout my softball playing career, I knew how to steal bases. I was a decently fast and aggressive kid, and would always lead my team in the stolen base category, but at the start of my freshman year of college I decided that wasn’t enough. I wanted to break the single season school record of 36 at my college. As a freshman I stole 21 bases; this meant that I needed to steal 58% more bases in one season. How would it be possible?
The first key to stealing the base is the CONFIDENCE in your ability to do so. I knew that I had more opportunities to steal as a freshman, but I wasn’t given the steal sign, so I didn’t capitalize on opportunities to take the base. Without a confidence in yourself, stealing bases successfully will be a tremendous struggle, no matter your athleticism.
The second key to successfully stealing a base is TIMING. As a softball player, you must remain on the bag until the pitcher releases the softball. This is a huge contrast compared to baseball in which you can leave the bag when the pitcher still has the ball in their hand. As a softball player, you want your foot to leave the bag the same exact moment that the ball leaves the pitchers hand or slightly prior to the ball leaving the pitchers hand (if you can fool the umpire). Additionally, you want to create as much momentum towards the next base as possible before your foot leaving the bag.
The third key to stealing a base is your MENTALITY. When a coach gives you the steal sign, you shouldn’t be surprised or nervous to steal the base. Do your preparation in the dugout, on-deck, and when youÕre standing on the base; Every moment you are on the field is an opportunity to prepare to beat your opponent. Always be looking for the defense’s weaknesses and think of how you can capitalize on them. When you switch your mentality to that offensive attack mode completely, the steal sign becomes exciting instead of surprising.
My adaption of these three components to my approach on the field lead me to not only break the single season record at my college, but to break the career stolen base record, single season runs scored record, career runs scored record, and establish a record at my college. I was 42-42 in stolen bases as a sophomore, this three step approach allowed me to successfully steal every base that I attempted that season.
Article By:
Alley Perkins, USAW
Athletic Performance Coach
Champion’s QUEST Athlete Academy
alleyp@championsquest.com
