Okay, so I’ve been putting some hours into MLB The Show 24, and one thing I really wanted to get better at was stealing bases. It felt like I was leaving runs on the table, you know? So, here’s what I did to figure it out.
Getting Started – The Basics
First off, I just started trying it in games. Didn’t really know what I was doing. Saw a fast guy on first, figured ‘why not?’, held down the left trigger (L2 on PlayStation, LT on Xbox), and hoped for the best when the pitcher started his motion. Yeah, that didn’t work out too well initially. Got thrown out. A lot.
So, I decided to actually practice it. Went into the practice mode, specifically the base running drills. This was way better ’cause I could just focus on the pitcher and the timing without worrying about the game situation.
Figuring Out the Timing
This was the big one. It’s all about the pitcher’s motion. I started just watching. Ignoring the runner, just staring at the pitcher.
- Some guys have a really high leg kick. That’s usually a good sign. More time to run.
- Others are super quick to the plate. Stealing on those guys? Tough.
- I learned to watch for the first movement towards home. As soon as that front leg starts coming forward or the arm starts its throwing path, you gotta go.
So, the process became: get the runner on base. Hold down L2/LT to tell him you want him to steal. Then, stare down the pitcher. The second he commits to throwing home, release L2/LT. Your guy takes off.
Leads and Getting Picked Off
Then I started messing with taking an extra step lead. You tap L1/LB for that. Gives you a bit of a head start. But, man, you gotta be careful. Take too big a lead, or lead off against a pitcher with a quick pickoff move, and you’re toast. I got picked off a bunch learning this.
My takeaway? Usually, one extra step is okay with faster runners against guys who aren’t paying super close attention. But I stopped doing it automatically. Now, I only take an extra step if I feel pretty confident the pitcher isn’t worried about me or has a slow move.
Knowing Your Runner and The Catcher
This seemed obvious, but I really started paying attention to it. You can’t just steal with anybody. Trying to swipe second with a guy who has like 30 speed? Forget it, unless the pitcher totally falls asleep.
Runner Speed and Stealing Ability: This is key. I check those ratings. Guys with 85+ speed and good stealing ratings are the ones you target. Makes a huge difference.
Catcher’s Arm: Just as important! Started looking at the catcher’s throwing strength and accuracy before I even tried stealing. If Pudge Rodriguez or someone with a cannon is back there, I’m probably not risking it unless my runner is electric fast and I get a perfect jump.
Putting It All Together
So now, when I get someone on base, here’s my thought process:
- Check my runner’s speed/steal rating. Is he a threat?
- Check the catcher’s arm strength. Is he likely to throw me out?
- Decide if I want to try. If yes, hold L2/LT early, before the pitcher even starts his motion.
- Maybe tap L1/LB once for a small extra lead, but be cautious. Watch for pickoff attempts.
- Focus entirely on the pitcher’s first move towards the plate.
- Release L2/LT the instant he commits home.
- Hope I timed it right and the catcher doesn’t make a perfect throw!
It took a while, lots of failed attempts, lots of getting thrown out. But slowly, I started getting more successful steals. You start to get a feel for the timing, recognizing pitcher tendencies even within a single game. It’s pretty satisfying when you swipe a bag at a key moment. Still not perfect at it, still get thrown out sometimes, but it feels way less random now. It’s about making a calculated guess rather than just hitting a button and praying.
