In the world of baseball, few things are more intriguing than the battle that plays out between a top shelf baserunner, and a top notch catcher. The cat and mouse game played out before every pitch is like a game within the game, and coming out on top as a catcher takes skill, patience, and plenty of preparation. The best way to throw out a baserunner stealing is to know when he is going to attempt the steal, and beat him to the punch. Here is a step by step guide on how to throw out a baserunner stealing:

Before the Game - Preparation

Throwing out a baserunner begins before the game ever starts. You should know your opponents well, and know who is a threat to steal a base and who is not. If you have access to sports film, watch several of the better stealer’s attempts. Do they do anything just before they take off? Most base stealers will do something to cue their attempt. Sometimes it is as simple as a twitch of the finger, or a noted movement. Some only steal on certain pitch counts, and others steal based on instinct. Know every detail you can get your hands on, and you will be ready to throw them out when the chance comes.

Throwing Out Baserunners - The Basics

To throw out any baserunner, you must have the basics down pat. First, you should be in a position to receive the pitch and release a quick throw to second or third base. This is done by making sure you are balanced with your feet lined up evenly with your shoulders, or slightly outside your shoulders. Your body should be evenly balanced so that you can spring out of your squat to deliver a strong throw. Many catchers try to use arm strength alone to throw out a baserunner. This is not a good idea, as you will be more delayed in the release, and you will eventually erode that arm strength. Instead, use a quick release, and the momentum of your forward step to aid the steam on the throw.

Reading the Baserunner and Throwing Him Out

Once you have the basics and the initial preparation, you now are ready to actually duel with the baserunner. Always keep your eyes on the baserunner, but do not allow him to dictate the game. That is, you should not allow the current batter an advantage in the pitches they get to hit so that you can battle with the baserunner. That baserunner is no more or less important than the current batter in baseball games.

Use throw downs to first if you suspect that a baserunner is about to go. If that does not slow them down, then signal your pitcher to throw over to first. If none of these things work, then you might consider a pitch out if the count and pitcher is right for the situation. Early in the count that you are ahead in is the ideal pitch out time. The baserunner likely knows this as well, and will probably avoid the steal during those times.

When you are forced to throw out a runner stealing, make a quick, strong throw to the runner side of the base being thrown to. Do not wait for your fielder to get there. You should throw to the base, and not to the fielder. If the fielder is not there, then you are not at fault and they will learn to get there. Put your throw right on the base. Some catchers today actually throw on one hop to second base to get the ball there quicker. If you and your fielders practice this throw, it is especially effective with catchers that lack arm strength.

Image Credited To Flickr User aturkus