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