We always steal on LHP on first movement. The pitcher has made his mind up before he lifts. We pick a pitch that we feel he is not going to throw over on. Could be after he has thrown over twice etc. If he does throw over on a pitch that we have decided to steal on we are almost always safe at second. Runner breaks on first movement pitcher throws over. First then must wait for middle to get there and make a good throw in time to get the runner. I would bet that we are safe 90% of the time beating the throw form first. We hardly ever get caught in this situation if you know when to run. Alot of LHP are taught to look away when they are going to throw over and look at the runner when they are going home. It wont take you long in a game to pick up on this if you look for it. If you wait to steal once you see that the LHP is going home with the pitch you are toast. We never shorten our leads when we are stealing. We push our leads to the max everytime just beating the throw back to first is a must. If you arent getting dirty you aint got enuff. We focus on RHP heels. Back heel lifts get back (back is back) front heel lifts, gone. Getting a running start by shortening your leads will lead to getting picked by the pitcher just timing you and stepping off. Or freezing runners by holding the ball several times a game. Works for us.
