Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

[Hellquist]

Forget hitting HRs LOL. I cannot steal bases on this game to save my life. I always get caught stealing with Trea Turner. 90+ in speed and steal rating. Last year, someone said to hold L2 and release, but that isn't working on this game at all. I don't know what to do because whatever I am doing is not cutting it. Trea Turner is always my leadoff man in all my lineups. It's really frustrating.

[NolanRyansSnowmonkey]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

Forget hitting HRs LOL. I cannot steal bases on this game to save my life. I always get caught stealing with Trea Turner. 90+ in speed and steal rating. Last year, someone said to hold L2 and release, but that isn't working on this game at all. I don't know what to do because whatever I am doing is not cutting it. Trea Turner is always my leadoff man in all my lineups. It's really frustrating.

I haven't tried it yet in 19, but in 18 clicking L2 once before the pitch (not holding it) to give the steal command, then holding L1 (not clicking it. No extra lead necessary) throughout the pitch gives guys a better jump and works really good for me. Maybe try it out a few games in 19.

[LastActionHero]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

I haven't tried it yet in 19, but in 18 clicking L2 once before the pitch (not holding it) to give the steal command, then holding L1 (not clicking it. No extra lead necessary) throughout the pitch gives guys a better jump and works really good for me. Maybe try it out a few games in 19.

I’ve never heard of holding L1 after pressing L2, what does it do?!

[MightyMaxxx13]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

No - I can’t buy a stolen base. Out by a mile every time I’ve tried in ‘19 - even with Villar (80+ speed and 90+ base stealing att’s). Only time I was successful was because the pitcher buried a curveball that got away from the catcher.

[OneTonneBaby]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

Forget hitting HRs LOL. I cannot steal bases on this game to save my life. I always get caught stealing with Trea Turner. 90+ in speed and steal rating. Last year, someone said to hold L2 and release, but that isn't working on this game at all. I don't know what to do because whatever I am doing is not cutting it. Trea Turner is always my leadoff man in all my lineups. It's really frustrating.

It’s an imperfect art and I’m still not very good at it but a few tips:

- check the catchers arm strength. Anything about 78 I’m probably not going. Anything below 70 and I’m going almost every chance I get.
- watch the pitcher. Most pitchers will have a similar wind up and I watch them for a few pitches. How many looks over do they give, do they turn their head to the mound and instantly throw it and if they do I’m going as soon as their head turns.
- some pitchers have a long wind up and they take a while to get the pitch over the plate. Take advantage of the slow ones and leave the fast ones alone.
- if the count is in the pitchers favour they are more likely to be throwing an offspeed which is naturally easier to steal off of. By the same token, don’t run on 100mph fastballs.


I almost always hold R2 and release when you want them to go

[BrianMcNulty11]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

I go 100% manual. Hold L2 before the pitch and release at first movement. Also I only steal in good counts unless I have a real burner on the bases.


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[Bullit]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

Im playing on Default All Star and playing a Nats Franchise. I have successfully stolen a handful or so bases and been caught twice. I do NOT use the hold and release method very often but it does seem to work fine. This year more that any other you really have to pay attention to the Pitcher and the Catchers ability. If the Pitcher has a quicker delivery you will never make it. If you are having trouble then its on you. You need to be more patient, watch the pitcher and steal when it is appropriate to steal.

[Cod]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

I go 100% manual. Hold L2 before the pitch and release at first movement. Also I only steal in good counts unless I have a real burner on the bases.

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This. If you hold L2, the player will make his jump as soon as you release it.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, if you never release L2, your player will not go.

[NolanRyansSnowmonkey]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

I’ve never heard of holding L1 after pressing L2, what does it do?!

While there is no "lean animation", i feel like it gets the runner leaning toward second and he gets a much better jump. I do not know exactly why it works but it does. I was skeptical when i first heard of it. But its the only way i play now. I pretty much never take an extra lead because pickoffs get to be a bit much. All i can say is try it for a while. My SB% went up using this technique.

On top of that, pick your spots. I NEVER steal a base (or run bases at all) before i check 2 things: Catcher arm and all 3 Outfielder arms, to know which ones i can test. (Then be agressive against those weaker outfielder arms. Don't forget arm accuracy in addition to strength. Some outfielders have powerful arms but couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat... MAKE them try throw you out at home with 2 outs. Or third with one out. Force the issue. Tip the cap if they get you...ok, back on topic...)

I steal bases even with so-so baserunner speed and steal ability, in the right situations using the technique i described above. Yes, i still get thrown out, but my SB% is more realistic.

OneTonneBaby gave some good tips that everyone should practice.

Also - Anticipate the pitchout in certain situations with speed on base. Try to go in counts that are unlikely to pitch out, unless you just want to guess. In the first 3 pitches its kind of a chess match between you and the pitcher. Going on breaking ball counts is good. So know the pitcher's tendencies. Sinker ball/slider pitchers that throw a lot of dirt balls are good to go on. But don't just willy-nilly pick a time to go. Have a plan.

Like OTB said, some pitchers have a slow delivery out of the stretch. This is huge. Take advantage of them.

Watch the slide step.

If you have a so-so runner stealing, and the pitcher slide steps, protect your runner by at least trying to foul off the pitch, if not put it in play. Dont leave him hanging out to dry.

And, use the 'Hold L1 Through the Pitch technique' for a few games. They just get better jumps. Sounds crazy but take it from a former sceptic lol.

[KnightTemplar]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

Not after
I moved the steal success slider up 2 clicks.

[EPatetta]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

I have to use early steal and time my release perfectly in this year's game.

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[FastEd]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

Forget hitting HRs LOL. I cannot steal bases on this game to save my life. I always get caught stealing with Trea Turner. 90+ in speed and steal rating. Last year, someone said to hold L2 and release, but that isn't working on this game at all. I don't know what to do because whatever I am doing is not cutting it. Trea Turner is always my leadoff man in all my lineups. It's really frustrating.

I feel your pain as I’ve had no success either lol. In recent versions I’ve had success by holding the L2 button then releasing it when I wanted the runner to go. For some reason this year for me, it doesn’t seem to be working. I watch my runner as I release the L2 button and I see nothing...I mean he eventually steals but he’s not going after I release the button. Seems like others on here are having no problem using the L2, early release button. I must somehow be doing something wrong this year. I’ve kind of given up for now on stealing unless I have the hit and run on.

[Detroit Tigers]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

I have Rajai Davis (89 spd, 99 stl) and I’m like 0-for-4 stealing with him; then on the flip side, I had Evan Gattis in at catcher (weak throw strength and even worse throw accuracy) and he gunned down two attempted steals in my last game. Sample size and all that but I think something needs to be tuned a bit.


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[Syce]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

i have about a 90% steal success rate right now. one tip i can give is your your right thumb stick and point it right for a head first slide to the right side of the base.

[Caulfield]

Re: Has Anyone Had Success Stealing Bases?

will turning the baserunner speed up 2 notches help or negatively affect something else?