Setting Up a Lefty

Part 1 – Determining skill set

By Matt Talarico, StealBases.com

Setting up a left-handed pitcher is completely dependent on the pitcher’s skill set. I like classifying these pitchers into 3 groups – high, medium, and low respect lefties. After determining what type of pitcher he is we will then create a base-stealing plan against him. For me, this respect level has nothing to do with his ability to throw the ball to home plate. The pitcher can throw 94 mph with command but still be a low respect pitcher in regards to managing the base runners.

How do we do figure him out?

We determine the pitcher’s pickoff ability by both our scouting reports and by observation early in the game. Often the
pitcher will show his move to one of the first runners of the game, because most teams are aware that we are active on the bases.

Assuming we have not played this pitcher before, and there is no information on the scouting report, the first step in getting a lefty to show his pickoff move is to give him movement. I tell my players to treat this time of the game as an investment. We are saving up for later. We do this by a number of fakes and flinches (please keep in mind there is a difference between subtle flinches and fakes with a purpose and disrespecting the game by being obnoxious or clapping).

Getting a move early is extremely important. If we can’t get any move from him then we will start stealing to try and force some sort of attention.

Benefits of getting attention

Once the pitcher realizes he’s going to have to make an effort to stop EVERYONE from running then he is quickly going to realize he should have worked on this more in practice during the off season. Controlling the running game from the mound is not something a coach can teach during a game. You have either worked on it or you haven’t. Here are some side effects from aggressive base stealing you will typically see:

    • Pitches missed over the plate as a result of the pitcher being quick to the plate
    • Catcher calls more fastballs to get a good pitch to throw on
    • Frequent pickoff attempts – this is a positive for us
    • Balks
    • Errors

These effects can take a pitcher who is cruising and get him out of the game in an inning.

Ways to establish movement vs. the LHP

Establishing movement during the pitcher’s stretch is about strategically adding fakes and motion. We will do a number of fakes but we want to choose wisely. We never add a fake that puts us in danger and we never do a fake that doesn’t fit our plan. For example, we wont give a full fake steal (meaning turning our shoulders completely to second) if he has a quick leg lift move in his arsenal. This would put us in pickoff danger.

Fake options:

  • Full fake (shoulders face the next base)
  • Partial break or flinch
  • New school lead or some variation of hybrid with full intention of returning*
  • Anchoring or retreating leads back to first (if we really respect his move)

One way lead example

Anchoring Example

One way return example

(Former Wright State Raider pitcher Brian Anderson)

Again, these fakes have a purpose. Some lefties can have the intention of pitching but pick if they see movement. We have to detect this and then use it against him. This constant movement will eventually force him to make a decision to pick or pitch before he pitches the next pitch. Remember he doesn’t see detail, use this to your advantage. We want him to pick to a runner standing on the base (like the gif above) and pitch when a runner gets a great jump. To achieve this you must make an investment.

This effort should tell us what kind of LHP he is. Here are few options I cover in detail in our “member only” section: poor lefty, book lefty, read move lefty, late read move lefty, step-off lefty, plus move lefty. This series of blog entries will cover a handful of game plans to some different lefty types. Remember never assume he has a good move because he is a lefty and is looking at you. Most left-handed pitchers have poor moves that are easy to capitalize on. Also, once you do capitalize on them they have gone their entire career with people assuming they were good… so you are more likely to get added side effects as mentioned above.

Please check back for the rest of the series in the “Free Blog” section to be released in the future: https://www.stealbases.com/free-blog/. If you would like complete access to the entire base stealing library then sign up now at Join Now for hours of base stealing instruction.

 

 

 

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*New School shuffle: Our setup to create rhythm in our leadoffs for the purpose of momentum. See New School System for complete details of the New School System.