| Let's say that you are on first base and a | | | | for a fraction of a second slightly back toward |
| right-handed pitcher is on the mound and he is | | | | the rubber and then deceive the base runner and |
| pitching from the stretch position. After he comes | | | | throw to first base. The runner who is keying on |
| to the set position, you should use a "key" to help | | | | the heel sometimes gets picked off by what |
| you determine if the pitcher is going to throw to | | | | should have been called a balk. In fairness to |
| the plate or if the pitcher is going to throw to | | | | baseball umpires, it is not easy for an umpire to |
| first base for an attempted pick off. The "key" is | | | | see something as small as a pitcher's foot move |
| some part of the pitcher's body that moves a | | | | illegally for only a fraction of a second. |
| certain way, where you would then know that it's | | | | My favorite key is the front left shoulder of the |
| safe to take your secondary lead. | | | | right-handed pitcher. If the right-handed pitcher |
| If you are attempting to steal second base, it will | | | | comes set and you see the front left shoulder go |
| let you know when you can start sprinting toward | | | | toward first base, get back to the base because |
| second base. Many base runners use the | | | | he's trying to pick you off. If he pulls the shoulder |
| right-handed pitcher's front left heel as their "key." | | | | backward, the pitcher must throw the ball home |
| In other words, after the pitcher comes set, the | | | | and you should then be taking your secondary |
| runner watches to see if the front heel is brought | | | | lead or sprinting toward second base if you are |
| back toward the pitching rubber. This tells the | | | | stealing. It's more difficult for the pitcher to be as |
| base runner that the pitcher must throw to the | | | | deceptive with the front shoulder. It's easier for |
| plate. Once the pitcher brings the heel back, he | | | | the umpire to see a balk with the shoulder, |
| can not turn and then throw to first base or it's a | | | | compared to a balk with the heel or foot because |
| balk. | | | | umpires are not usually looking down low near the |
| The thing I don't like about using the pitcher's | | | | ground. That and the fact that the shoulder is |
| front heel as your key is that I know for a fact | | | | simply much larger and easier for the umpire to |
| that baseball pitchers "play games" with the front | | | | see. |
| heel to deceive the base runner. Pitchers have a | | | | This front shoulder is an excellent key for a base |
| tendency to be very smart and I know for a | | | | runner on first base and is a better key than the |
| fact what they are starting to do the last several | | | | front heel! |
| years. Some pitchers will actually move the heel | | | | |