Tips for Leading Off/Stealing

[hawkeyekid]

I'm late to the game but does anyone have any tips on leading off or stealing.

Seems like if I try to lead off, I always get picked off. I hit L1 to lead off but I don't know if I have to do anything to get back.

Also, is it better to just pre-load the steal (pressing L2) or should hold the left stick towards the runner and press L2 when the pitcher comes towards home?

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by hawkeyekid

I'm late to the game but does anyone have any tips on leading off or stealing. Seems like if I try to lead off, I always get picked off. I hit L1 to lead off but I don't know if I have to do anything to get back. Also, is it better to just pre-load the steal (pressing L2) or should hold the left stick towards the runner and press L2 when the pitcher comes towards home?

In regards to lead offs, remember that Pressing L1 is taking an extra step from a normal lead. You really don't need to do this to be an effective base stealer in the Show this year.

I steal by holding the L-stick towards the baserunner and holding L2. Once the pitcher makes a move, then I let go of L2 to steal. Sometimes I get caught by a pitchout or slide step and sometimes I don't.

[hawkeyekid]

Ok. Good to know about not pressing L1. When I do that it's probably 80% that I was getting picked off.

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[rjackson]

Road tot he Show is a different animal that I am not speaking to but I usually just let the base runners ratings come into account. I just tap L2 and let them handle it. I do not take the extra lead off if they are holding the runner at 1st, but I tend to do so at 2nd as they get back much easier and that extra step could be the difference in scoring or not. If the 1B is not holding them e.g. runners on 1st and 2nd, I'll take the extra lead on 1st.


Here is my tip, though: I time the pitcher while he is in his stretch from 1st movement to when the pitch is thrown. If I make it past 2 Mississippi, there is a good chance the steal will be successful. Also, be aware that the more you steal, the more often they will use a slide step. I played a series with the Royals against a slow pitcher and weak catcher and ran roughshod that first game. The next two games, they were pitching out/slide stepping a lot and I was forced to look for patterns on when they were doing that just for an opportunity to try later on.

[Bobhead]

I'm just gonna be 100% honest here. The best piece of advice I can give you when it comes to leading off: don't. The whole system is broken. You can just steal from the default position and try your luck, or do what I do, and ignore stealing altogether.