The Art of Stealing Second Base

[SluggerCF91]

This upcoming season, I want to be a labled "base stealer". I have worked hard on my speed and agility. Iam pretty fast, but I have problems getting jumps and reading if the pitcher is going home, or picking me off. Is there anything I need to know that would help me become a better basestealer? Maybe we could start off with: what is the stance i should be in after taking my lead, and while I'am watching the pitchers feet? OR What leg do I push off of?

This is 25% of what I'am worth. So anything anybody gives me is greatly appreciated.

[Jake Patterson]

This upcoming season, I want to be a labled "base stealer". I have worked hard on my speed and agility. Iam pretty fast, but I have problems getting jumps and reading if the pitcher is going home, or picking me off. Is there anything I need to know that would help me become a better basestealer? Maybe we could start off with: what is the stance i should be in after taking my lead, and while I'am watching the pitchers feet? OR What leg do I push off of?

This is 25% of what I'am worth. So anything anybody gives me is greatly appreciated.

Assuming your in HS
Here's how we teach stealing from first.

Primary lead - Right foot toward third - left foot behind - shuffle step - shuffle step.

Secondary lead - is done with a shuffle step while maintaining a good athletic position. As the season goes on we teach a 2 and 1 step- with the player moving out two steps, back one.

Moving back to the bag. There are two ways to get back to the bag.

1. Moving back with little threat of a tag - runner goes back to the bag standing tall hands up. Front foot touches the front of the bag the back foot steps over the bag. The intent is to create as much obstruction for the first baseman as possible if the ball is thrown.

2. Moving back with a strong threat of a tag - Face first dive right hand to the right field side of the bag, head facing to right field. This protects your face and allows you to see a pass ball.

When stealing - the best cue on a right hand pitcher is the feet. Back foot off the front of the rubber get back. Front foot lift go. You push off your left foot.

Hope this helps

[cubsphill]

some tips my coach from 2 years ago who played d1 ball just a few years ago told me was to rip your right elbow back as fast as you can when you break, thatll give you momentum going the way towards 2b or enough to turn your body around (something like that). the stance is very important too, your back should be straight, not hunched. bend at the knees, nowhere else. the rest is simple running stuff, dont run straight up, stay low, but dont compromise speed. keep your head down. staying a little lower will make an effective slide easier. most of the time you should slide towards the backside of the bag because a majority of the time a ball is caught in the front of the bag. head fist slides are best for avoiding tags.

[Hardball]

Good advice. Realize that you steal bases on the Pitcher and not the Catcher, unless of course you get some guy with a crippled arm behind the plate. Don't count on that.

You first need to read the Pitcher and get comfortable with his move to first. Most guys have at least two moves, some more; to be an effective base stealer you have to be able to draw the Pitcher into showing you his “A” move, (this is where you use the #2 advice from Coach Patterson), right hand to the inside rear of first base.

Now that you know how far off the base you can get without a throw over, you need to be quick off the mark, take your cue here from people who know how to run; stay low and run explosively, your first three steps make all the difference in the world. Here, I teach a crossover step rather than a jab step simply because I think it helps you stay low for your first few strides, once you hit full speed look up, find the defender and plan your slide.

Unless you get beaten badly by the throw a good pop up slide should sell your steal, (you ought to be able to do this on either leg). Other options include a hook slide, (don't see this much any more), and sliding beyond the bag and reaching back, (gaining in popularity over the past few years.

[turnin2]

Here's what we teach:

Lead- left foot behind, right foot, shuffle, shuffle.

How to read the pitcher:
RHP: read the heels. Front heel lifts, he has to go home, thats when you break!! Back moves at all he has to pick!!
LHP: to steal we go on 1st movement! right (front foot moves, we go! 1st basemen has to catch it and throw it perfect to a MI tagging. run to the inside corner, that give the MI a longer tag!
to read him picking you, look for the gap in between his legs!!! if there is no gap, he's loading his hips to go to the plate, if there is a gap get back!!!!

Having said that about the gap, a pitcher may have a balk move if he's good, but few are that good! you'll see it from the dugout so watch other runners.

I've coached for 9 years and our worst season stealing was last year, we stole 55-61 in 2005, 45-56 in 2006. u2u me if you have any questions!

[BallCoach06]

Pretty good stuff mentioned so far.

We teach a left, right, slide, slide four our leads. We want our runners 12-15 feet off of the bases. A little less if they are not a stealing threat.

To get back, they go crossover with right foot and dive toward back corner of base. If they go back up standing, they drive their foot into front corner of bag and drag their back toes. This creates a solid base and if there is an errant throw, the first baseman has to run around them. They won't be able to be pushed over.

To get breaks, like mentioned, we look at the front heel on righties. If it comes up, we go. If back heel moves, we look to get back.

On lefties, we study the move. We look at his looks. Some look home and go to first. Some look at first and go to first, etc. Some pitchers will stand taller doing on or the other. Some pitchers will point the toe down when going home and keep the toes up when going to first. The biggest thing is just studying the trying to find something.

As far as stealing, we open up the right foot a little bit. This allows us to use the crossover a little more effectively. We go straight into second base and we SLIDE HARD AND SLIDE LATE. In my opinion that is a big one. Sliding too far out reduces your speed. We want to slide late to keep the speed up and be able to pop up and take third on an errant throw with a little bit of momentum.

[SluggerCF91]

Alright sounds very good. So I take my primary lead APPROX. 11-13 feet from first, I get in a nice balanced stance with my knees bent, my right foot is slightly open, I push off with my left foot, and I take my first step towards second with my right foot?

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Alright sounds very good. So I take my primary lead APPROX. 11-13 feet from first, I get in a nice balanced stance with my knees bent, my right foot is slightly open, I push off with my left foot, and I take my first step towards second with my right foot?

No. You don't. That was the only thing Jake mentioned that made me raise an eyebrow. I think he meant the right thing, but didn't mention that you rotate on your front foot and cross-over with the left foot. The first step you take will be with your back foot. If you take a step with your right foot, you are wasting movement/time without gaining as much ground. It's actually called a "false-step". Something to say away from.

Keep your front elbow up but not too high. More about comfort. About belt high as you're crouched is enough. Your first movement will be to throw your right elbow down to your side as you pivot on your lead foot and rotate your hips, before crossing-over with the left. All of this happens in the blink of an eye and stay in your crouch as you pivot and come out slowly after a few steps. Here are a couplel shots of Rickey pivoting on his lead foot. If you can find video, all the better.

Actually, here is a guy stealing third. A little different since it's not a complete set start (he's rocking a little and ends up with his weight on his back foot just before take-off) but watch how quick the crossover and pivot is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO098qFJg1g

[Jake Patterson]

No. You don't. That was the only thing Jake mentioned that made me raise an eyebrow. I think he meant the right thing, but didn't mention that you rotate on your front foot and cross-over with the left foot.

Agree, we teach taking the left hand and punch toward second. This puts most of the force on the right foot and not the left.

[Hardball]

IMO stealing bases is more about a good jump and an effective finish than speed or lead.

Some guys do teach a jab step start, (right foot first), since it seems to lessen the number of strides. I think it also causes the runner to straighten up to early and slow his start. Rafael Furcal is a late adapter to the crossover philosophy since coming to the Dodgers and spending time with Maury Wills.

Reading the Pitcher and his motion is more important than getting an extra step or step and a half lead. Some guys actually try to lull the Pitcher into overconfidence by taking a shorter lead and trying to look non threatening. I remember Lou Brock telling Jack Buck this in a radio interview back in the mid 60's, although I suspect he abandoned the tactic after swiping 118 in 1974.

Guys who slide head first limit their options since once you commit, you have to finish with a rotten view of what's happening with the ball and the defender. When you go in feet first, you are looking right at the base, the ball and the defense coming together and can make corrections in direction and technique.

[cubsphill]

...
Guys who slide head first limit their options since once you commit, you have to finish with a rotten view of what's happening with the ball and the defender. When you go in feet first, you are looking right at the base, the ball and the defense coming together and can make corrections in direction and technique.

sliding head first is a helluva lot of fun. its almost as good as playing ss and diving for balls in the holes.

[Hardball]

sliding head first is a helluva lot of fun. its almost as good as playing ss and diving for balls in the holes.


ROTFL:laugh

Right you are. Until I was halfway through HS it was the only way I could slide. My 15 YO still loves to get the front of his uni dirty that way.

However, when a head first slide results in a player missing an extra base chance, or causes him to slide into a tag, I'll still point out "the other options" which may have had a more desirable result.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Agree, we teach taking the left hand and punch toward second. This puts most of the force on the right foot and not the left.

Well, I don't agree with that, but whatever works for you. Focusing on throwing the lead elbow will automatically bring the left-hand forward in the same motion you're describing. Focusing on throwing the left hand will not necessarily do the same for the elbow.

Anyway, yeah. I like to keep my weight slightly shifted onto my lead foot (which is at a 45 degree angle). From that position (since your weight is already there), on a pick-off, you don't need extra time to transfer the energy down, and then up to push back. It's already there. Then, if you're going, you basically just pivot on that weight and with the elbow throw, your body falls through nicely.

[POHusKy9]

i stole 21 bases last year in 18 games, here's what i thought on each steal

timing the pitcher, in high school, 95% of pitchers will just get in a rhythm and not change it. once i got on first, i would stay for 1 pitch. when the pitcher came set, id start saying in my head U - C - L - A - U(and so on) with a little pause in between. whatever he lifts or strides on, would be my steal letter. I would probably wait for 1 more pitch and see if he landed on the same letter. most high school kids will be either L or A. So when he comes set, just start saying UCLA in your head. i dont know if this is taught everywhere, but i heard it from a Junior Olympic coach of mine.

[SluggerCF91]

Alright thanks. I know now how to get my jump, (push off with my right, and power crossover with my left), but I have trouble IDing the pitchers move. This is why I usually get thrown out, because I wait to long after the pitcher goes home, to make my move to second. Im not really too sure of where to look at when I take my lead. Some people have told me look at the feet, but I cant look at two feet at once!?!?!?!? Some have said to pick one foot to look at, and some have said look at the pitchers shoulders. As far as IDing the pitchers move (theres only two things that he can do: go home, or pick me off *note that only I'am on the firstbase.) Where should I place my eyes? and is there any keys of IDing his moves that I should know?

Thanks in advance.

[flea45]

one thing i like to do to get better jumps and get to my top speed faster is to move my feet so that my right foot is behind my left a little, so i am angled better to second base. i also bend my left leg a little and put my toes in the ground (see dave roberts in the 2004 alcs, when he stole second of rivera). however this is something you have to de everytime as to not give away the fact you are stealing.

doing this, i am a pretty above average base stealer. i only run a 7.1 60, but this year playing at about the D2 level here in aus, (as a 16 year old) i am 6-7 stealing second.

[SluggerCF91]

You put your left foots toes into the ground?

[Sultan_1895-1948]

You put your left foots toes into the ground?

He's basically just saying that he keeps his weight on his front foot. It gives the impression that you are going to steal, but the key is to do it every time, even when you're not stealing.

As far as where to look, don't focus too much on just one thing. Just get an overall picture of the lower half of the pitcher's body and use your instincts. You can practice with a teammate before a game. Have him simulate pick-offs and moves to the plate and practice getting good reads and good jumps. After awhile it will become second nature. Will you ever be perfect...no. Even the best basestealers twitch toward second when they shouldn't and get caught.

Something else to look out for. When you're getting that overall view of the pitcher you might notice something. Some pitchers will come set with their shoulders turned slightly at an angle toward you, generally to get a better look at you. When they begin their pitch toward home, their shoulders need to square up. That split second from when their shoulders start at an angle, and when they square up before delivery...is a classic cue for when to go. Just study little things about the pitcher. When you're on the bench, watch. Watch everything like a student. His pick-off move, how long he comes set, he delivery time to the plate, does he mix in a slide step, what is the count and what did he throw, is he throwing his curveball in the dirt often, what is the catcher's arm like, do the middle infielders backup the pitcher. Little things can give you an edge. There is a game within the game.

[SluggerCF91]

KK I got ya. How should I keep my hands though? or where should I keep my hands?

[Sultan_1895-1948]

KK I got ya. How should I keep my hands though? or where should I keep my hands?

Go with what feels comfortable. In general, not too low but not too high, although better too high than too low. Try this maybe. Get in your set crouch. Take your right hand straight up and blow into it like you would on a cold day. Without changing the position of your elbow, lower your right hand to chest level, and bring it away from your chest about 6-8 inches. Your elbow should be around belt level. Relax your right hand. With your left you can either hold it up there too, or you can extend it back toward first base. I would recommend the former. Pretty complicated explanation but it's all I could think of :o

[Jake Patterson]

He's basically just saying that he keeps his weight on his front foot. It gives the impression that you are going to steal, but the key is to do it every time, even when you're not stealing.


For as much as you look for signs from the pitcher to give you an edge stealing there are coaches in the digout looking for an edge to pick the runner. The key item I look for is the runner's weight distribution. If I detect a right hand lean chances are we're going to try and pick.

[SluggerCF91]

For as much as you look for signs from the pitcher to give you an edge stealing there are coaches in the digout looking for an edge to pick the runner. The key item I look for is the runner's weight distribution. If I detect a right hand lean chances are we're going to try and pick.
In that case ill keep my weight 50/50.

Go with what feels comfortable. In general, not too low but not too high, although better too high than too low. Try this maybe. Get in your set crouch. Take your right hand straight up and blow into it like you would on a cold day. Without changing the position of your elbow, lower your right hand to chest level, and bring it away from your chest about 6-8 inches. Your elbow should be around belt level. Relax your right hand. With your left you can either hold it up there too, or you can extend it back toward first base. I would recommend the former. Pretty complicated explanation but it's all I could think of :o
I understand your explanation pretty well. If there are any stills or slow motion videos of good-great basestealers I can watch, that would be perfect.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

For as much as you look for signs from the pitcher to give you an edge stealing there are coaches in the digout looking for an edge to pick the runner. The key item I look for is the runner's weight distribution. If I detect a right hand lean chances are we're going to try and pick.

And him getting thrown out would have nothing to do with the lean. Keeping the weight on the front foot reduces the time it takes to get back to the bag. Think of it like a basketball player dunking from a standstill. He needs to bend his legs and transfer the energy down before pushing off to jump. If he starts bent down, then his time is reduced. With the weight there, there is no pushing down and back up to get back. And again, the key is to do it every time, even where you're not stealing. There is no edge to pick the runner. Perhaps we have a different definition of a "lean" but I don't mean the guy looks like he's doing old school groin stretches. On second though. This might not be the best technique to suggest to a beginner. Gotta keep in mind who I'm talkin' to. Go with 50/50 Slugger.

[Jake Patterson]

And him getting thrown out would have nothing to do with the lean. Keeping the weight on the front foot reduces the time it takes to get back to the bag. Think of it like a basketball player dunking from a standstill. He needs to bend his legs and transfer the energy down before pushing off to jump. If he starts bent down, then his time is reduced. With the weight there, there is no pushing down and back up to get back. And again, the key is to do it every time, even where you're not stealing. There is no edge to pick the runner. Perhaps we have a different definition of a "lean" but I don't mean the guy looks like he's doing old school groin stretches. On second though. This might not be the best technique to suggest to a beginner. Gotta keep in mind who I'm talkin' to. Go with 50/50 Slugger.

Sultan,

We may be agreeing. What you said was:

He's basically just saying that he keeps his weight on his front foot. It gives the impression that you are going to steal, but the key is to do it every time, even when you're not stealing.

I understood "front foot" as the lead (RH) foot. I would agree with staying on the front of the foot. You would never want to be caught on your heels.

Agree with your hand position. This is what we teach.

Jake

[SluggerCF91]

And him getting thrown out would have nothing to do with the lean. Keeping the weight on the front foot reduces the time it takes to get back to the bag. Think of it like a basketball player dunking from a standstill. He needs to bend his legs and transfer the energy down before pushing off to jump. If he starts bent down, then his time is reduced. With the weight there, there is no pushing down and back up to get back. And again, the key is to do it every time, even where you're not stealing. There is no edge to pick the runner. Perhaps we have a different definition of a "lean" but I don't mean the guy looks like he's doing old school groin stretches. On second though. This might not be the best technique to suggest to a beginner. Gotta keep in mind who I'm talkin' to. Go with 50/50 Slugger.
I’m not exactly a “beginner”. Ill start out 50/50 normally, but if I have a clue, or I'am hinted that he is probably not going to throw over, ill put 60% weight on right leg, and 40% on left. After all, I'am pushing off/down with my right foot, and driving my left leg towards second.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

I’m not exactly a “beginner”. Ill start out 50/50 normally, but if I have a clue, or I'am hinted that he is probably not going to throw over, ill put 60% weight on right leg, and 40% on left. After all, I'am pushing off/down with my right foot, and driving my left leg towards second.

No, no, no Slugger. You need to keep the same approach every time, whether you're stealing or not. People who are paying attention to the small things; the same type of things that you hopefully will be paying attention to...will notice anything and everything. The twitching of fingers might show anxiety before you plan to steal....any varying of the length of your lead might give something away...how you take your lead might as well. Do everything the same every time. Don't give away anything. It's just like with pitching dude. A tongue in the cheek on curveballs (extreme example), or always slide-stepping when throwing a curve (to compensate for the slower pitch to the plate), or cocking his wrist too early on a curve, or short-arming a change. Little things make a difference. We had a couple pitchers this year against us who dropped down just a tad on their curve. Not a lot, but you could definitely tell the arm slot was off slightly from norm. It was a huge cue. Anyway, the point is, keep things the same. You'll be fine.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

You would never want to be caught on your heels.


Agreed. When I used to pitch, amongst the mixing up of delivery times to the plate, I would pause for an extended period of time every now and then (on good SB and H&R counts). As expected, the runner never called time. Most often the batter would call time, which helped the runner (since that amount of time causes them to be "caught on their heels") but sometimes it went as planned and it was worth playing the odds.

[turnin2]

THIS IS ALL BASERUNNING, BUT STEALS ARE INCLUDED. THIS IS WHAT WE TEACH, WE'VE STOLEN 112 IN 118 ATTEMPTS PASSED TWO YEARS


Home to 1st: Immediately after contact we get our eyes on the 1st base coach (not the ball). He gives one of three signs:1. point at the bag means the ball is in the INF so get here! 2. Points to second and his eye, meaning (turn and look). We work the banana like we're going for 2, and either go or hold up on every hit to the OF.) 3. Points to 2nd with a waving arm. This tells them to get going for 2, look for 3rd base coach.

On 1st: Our first focus is lead and secondary. Our lead is left behind right, shuffle, shuffle (meaning we replace our foot, some get an extra, some don't). Once we know the pitcher has commited, we get two bigger shuffles. Lead straight from the back corner of the bag. We work almost daily on going first to third. make sure they angle where they hit the front corner of 2nd in a straight line to 3rd.

From 2nd: we have 2 leads, less than two outs we get a walking lead deep, then shorten the depth as the pitcher comes set to be in a more straight line to 3rd. When reducing the depth we angle towards a "spot" visually between 3rd and home, this has us leading towards third. With two outs we stay deep to set the angle to score on a hit. Still get a good shuffle.

from 3rd: pretty basic, we get a walking lead, good secondary shuffle, and return to the inside corner of 3rd (blinds 3rd basemen on a pick from C). We score on all balls up the middle except the P, and tag on all fly balls, less than 2 outs.

NOW THE MEAT AND POTATOES!!!

stealing 2nd: RHP we focus on the feet, particulary the front heel. Once it lifts we are gone!! If its a slide stepper I make sure I check his time to the plate, but if he lifts at all we are safe! If he's a 1.2-1.4 make sure its a good runner, anything over we feel pretty good! LHP we go on 1st movement. When he lifts his front foot we break for 2nd. Even if he picks behind they needed another good throw to get us. We slide to the inside on 2nd, again either blinding fielder or getting further from the tag if he goes outside. To read a lefty, teach your kids to look at the gap in his crotch. Wide gap he's picking, no gap he's going home (loading the hips.)

Stealing 3rd: We take our usual lead. We check for one lookers, any patterns to the plate, and mostly the middle infield. My kids see 2nd basemen, I have the shortstop. If they hear silence they step. Or we go on voice (you're alright, you're alright) and they step. The faster I say it the quicker they get, and get good jumps.

Stealing home: People generally don't go windup on us, if the do, we get our walking lead, once their glove hand foot moves, we are in a dead sprint! Slide to pitcher side of plate head first. Also, look for lazy catchers who drop to their knees throwing the ball back, once we see their elbow to flip it we go, been lucky more than out with that!!

Most important...READ THE CATCHERS KNEES!! Unless he's a stud few catchers will throw you out from their knees on a good pitch, but the pitch in the dirt or blocking...NEVER!! WE read low knees and green light whenever we see the catcher drop. Sounds risky, but now that kid behind the plate never relaxes. Helps with 1st & 3rd, but can get slower runner going too!

[Jake Patterson]

THIS IS ALL BASERUNNING, BUT STEALS ARE INCLUDED. THIS IS WHAT WE TEACH, WE'VE STOLEN 112 IN 118 ATTEMPTS PASSED TWO YEARS


Home to 1st: Immediately after contact we get our eyes on the 1st base coach (not the ball). He gives one of three signs:1. point at the bag means the ball is in the INF so get here! 2. Points to second and his eye, meaning (turn and look). We work the banana like we're going for 2, and either go or hold up on every hit to the OF.) 3. Points to 2nd with a waving arm. This tells them to get going for 2, look for 3rd base coach.

On 1st: Our first focus is lead and secondary. Our lead is left behind right, shuffle, shuffle (meaning we replace our foot, some get an extra, some don't). Once we know the pitcher has commited, we get two bigger shuffles. Lead straight from the back corner of the bag. We work almost daily on going first to third. make sure they angle where they hit the front corner of 2nd in a straight line to 3rd.

From 2nd: we have 2 leads, less than two outs we get a walking lead deep, then shorten the depth as the pitcher comes set to be in a more straight line to 3rd. When reducing the depth we angle towards a "spot" visually between 3rd and home, this has us leading towards third. With two outs we stay deep to set the angle to score on a hit. Still get a good shuffle.

from 3rd: pretty basic, we get a walking lead, good secondary shuffle, and return to the inside corner of 3rd (blinds 3rd basemen on a pick from C). We score on all balls up the middle except the P, and tag on all fly balls, less than 2 outs.

NOW THE MEAT AND POTATOES!!!

stealing 2nd: RHP we focus on the feet, particulary the front heel. Once it lifts we are gone!! If its a slide stepper I make sure I check his time to the plate, but if he lifts at all we are safe! If he's a 1.2-1.4 make sure its a good runner, anything over we feel pretty good! LHP we go on 1st movement. When he lifts his front foot we break for 2nd. Even if he picks behind they needed another good throw to get us. We slide to the inside on 2nd, again either blinding fielder or getting further from the tag if he goes outside. To read a lefty, teach your kids to look at the gap in his crotch. Wide gap he's picking, no gap he's going home (loading the hips.)

Stealing 3rd: We take our usual lead. We check for one lookers, any patterns to the plate, and mostly the middle infield. My kids see 2nd basemen, I have the shortstop. If they hear silence they step. Or we go on voice (you're alright, you're alright) and they step. The faster I say it the quicker they get, and get good jumps.

Stealing home: People generally don't go windup on us, if the do, we get our walking lead, once their glove hand foot moves, we are in a dead sprint! Slide to pitcher side of plate head first. Also, look for lazy catchers who drop to their knees throwing the ball back, once we see their elbow to flip it we go, been lucky more than out with that!!

Most important...READ THE CATCHERS KNEES!! Unless he's a stud few catchers will throw you out from their knees on a good pitch, but the pitch in the dirt or blocking...NEVER!! WE read low knees and green light whenever we see the catcher drop. Sounds risky, but now that kid behind the plate never relaxes. Helps with 1st & 3rd, but can get slower runner going too!

Good post. We do much the same...
Jake

[bronxkid]

Travel Ball coach who used to play for UCLA has helped him steal with this method. He swears by it and he also uses it while pitching to throw off runners.

[SluggerCF91]

No, no, no Slugger. You need to keep the same approach every time, whether you're stealing or not. People who are paying attention to the small things; the same type of things that you hopefully will be paying attention to...will notice anything and everything. The twitching of fingers might show anxiety before you plan to steal....any varying of the length of your lead might give something away...how you take your lead might as well. Do everything the same every time. Don't give away anything. It's just like with pitching dude. A tongue in the cheek on curveballs (extreme example), or always slide-stepping when throwing a curve (to compensate for the slower pitch to the plate), or cocking his wrist too early on a curve, or short-arming a change. Little things make a difference. We had a couple pitchers this year against us who dropped down just a tad on their curve. Not a lot, but you could definitely tell the arm slot was off slightly from norm. It was a huge cue. Anyway, the point is, keep things the same. You'll be fine.
I understand you 110% Sultan.

"but if I have a clue, or I'am hinted that he is probably not going to throw over, ill put 60% weight on right leg, and 40% on left." Thats if he threw over a few times already,or I hear the coach say, "worry about the batter!" I'll change the way my weight is distributed ONLY if I have a clue hes not throwing over. Everyone and his brother would be able to tell if I changed the way I position myself, but once again, Ill change my way ONLY if I know they(coach is pupeteer, pitcher is pupet) arent going to throw over.