The 1st and 3rd double steal.

Execution is the key and it depends on communication, decisiveness, and Sure-handedness

The double steal with runners on 1st and 3rd remains one of baseball's classic stratagems, both offensively and defensively.

The situation is fraught with possibilities in which any kind of lapse can cost the team the game or win it for them.

Execution is the key, and it can only be achieved through good communication, intelligent and decisive decision-making, and sure-handedness.

Practically every double-steal defense is predicated on six basic prescripts:

1. The catcher, before releasing the ball to 2nd base or back to the pitcher, must always take a peek at the runner on 3rd to check his lead and make sure hie is not breaking for home.

2. If the 3rd baseman feels that the runner can be picked off by the catcher or pitcher, he should raise his hands as though signalling a touchdown.

3. Whenever the back runner is being run down, the 3rd baseman must alert the defense to the man on third. If the runner is breaking for home, the 3rd baseman will call "four-four." If the runner is increasing his lead and can be picked off, the 3rd baseman will yell "three-three."

4. If, with two outs, the defender with the ball is running down the back runner and is within two feet of him when he hears the 3rd baseman call "four-four," he should try to tag out the runner before the front runner crosses the plate. If he cannot make the quick tag, he can go to the plate with his throw. The prime objective is to get the third out before the lead runner can score.

5. On a steal with two outs, the 1st baseman must always trail the back runner by 10 feet. If the runner stops in the baseline or slides short of the bag, the 1st baseman (after receiving the throw) can tag the man out.

6. The catcher must signal the play to the other defenders by stepping in front of home plate before the pitcher sets up on the rubber.

Now let's look at the ways in which the double steal can be defensed.

EARLY BREAK BY THE BACK RUNNER WITH TWO OUTS [ILLUSTRATION FOR DIAGRAM 1 OMITTED]:

The runner will usually break for 2nd while the pitcher is toeing the rubber or is in the set position. His play is to get caught in a rundown long enough for the front runner to "steal" the run.

Pitcher. Upon hearing the 1st baseman call "step off," he steps off the back of the rubber, checks the runner at 3rd, and then throws to the 2nd baseman (in the baseline) or the SS at the bag, depending upon the location of the runner. His primary target is the 2nd baseman. He then breaks to 1st in case he is needed in a rundown.

Catcher. Upon hearing the 1st baseman call "step off," he calls "step off" to the pitcher and then calls "check 3rd." He remains at home plate in case of a play there later on.

1st Baseman. Calls "step off" then trails the runner to 2nd, about 10 feet behind, to shorten the distance on his throw in case of a rundown.

2nd Baseman. Upon hearing the "step off" call, he breaks into the baseline about 10 feet from 2nd base and looks for a throw from the pitcher.

Shortstop. Upon hearing the call from the 1st baseman, he breaks to 2nd base to cover the bag and help on the rundown. If the runner gets by the 2nd baseman, the SS looks for the pitcher's throw to the bag.

3rd Baseman. Breaks to the bag. If the runner begins to creep down the baseline and can be picked off, the 3rd baseman will call "three-three." If the runner breaks for the plate, he will call "four-four."

Left Fielder. Backs up all throws to 3rd base, and is ready to be a back-up man on any rundown between 3rd and the plate.

Center Fielder. Backs up the throw from the pitcher to the 2nd base area.

Right Fielder. Backs up throws to the 1st base area and becomes responsible for 1st base if the pitcher doesn't get there in time.

CATCHER ARM FAKE TO 2ND BASE [ILLUSTRATION FOR DIAGRAM 2 OMITTED]:

Pitcher. If the catcher throws to 3rd base after faking to 2nd, the pitcher must break to the plate to back it up in case of a rundown. If a play occurs between 1st and 2nd, he must back up 1st.

Catcher. If the runner at 1st breaks for 2nd on the pitch, the catcher must make a full arm fake to 2nd in the hope of drawing the lead runner down the baseline.

After the fake, the catcher must look to 3rd:

If the 3rd baseman has both arms stretched overhead (touchdown), the catcher should throw to 3rd from inside the diamond.

If the lead runner has started down the line toward the plate, the catcher should run right at him - to make the tag, if he can, or to force the man back to 3rd (run him down for the out).

If the lead runner stays near the bag and the back runner stops in the baseline, the catcher must throw to the 2nd baseman, who should be in the baseline between 1st and 2nd.

1st Baseman. Stays at 1st in case the back runner stops in the baseline and a rubdown ensues. If the lead runner gets caught in a rubdown, the 1st baseman must break for the plate; he has priority over the pitcher there.

2nd Baseman. Breaks directly into the baseline between 1st and 2nd in case the runner stops and a rubdown begins. If the catcher throws to him, he must run hard at the runner, staying alert for a call from the 3rd baseman.

If he hears "three-three," he must wheel and throw to 3rd. If he hears "four-four," he must wheel and throw to the plate. If, with two outs, he is within two steps of the back runner, he must tag the man out before the lead runner can cross the plate.

Shortstop. As the catcher fakes the throw, the SS starts moving to 3rd to back up in case of a run-down. If the rubdown occurs between 1st and 2nd, he must break for 2nd as a back-up.

3rd Baseman. Breaks to the bag as the catcher receives the ball. If the lead runner has taken too big a lead, the 3rd baseman will throw up his arms (touchdown) to indicate that the runner can be picked off. If the runner breaks for the plate, the 3rd baseman will yell "four-four."

Left Fielder. As the catcher receives the ball, the LF must back up any throw to 3rd and help out in a rundown.

Center Fielder. Backs up any throw to 2nd.

Right Fielder. Backs up any throw to the 2nd baseman in the baseline, then proceeds to 1st as a back-up in a rundown.

Note: The outfielders' involvement in rundowns is contingent upon the distances that they have to go for back-up positions.

CATCHER THROWS THROUGH TO 2ND BASE [ILLUSTRATION FOR DIAGRAM 3 OMITTED]:

Pitcher: Fakes catching the throw to hold the runner at third. As soon as the ball passes his head, he breaks for 1st base to cover in case of a rubdown.

Catcher: As he catches the ball, he takes a quick look at the 3rd baseman. If he sees him signalling touchdown, he will throw to 3rd. Otherwise, he will throw through to 2nd.

1st Baseman. After yelling "there he goes" to alert the defense, he follows the runner, staying about five steps behind him on the same side of the bag as the covering middle fielder. Note: He doesn't break up the baseline until the ball passes the batter.

If the runner stops in the baseline, the 1st baseman will be in position to receive the ball and, sometimes, make a quick tag of the runner.

2nd Baseman. If, on a steal attempt with two outs, he is responsible for the bag (depends on the hitter and the pitch). He must break for the bag after the ball passes the hitter. (If not responsible for the bag, he will back up the SS, as shown in [ILLUSTRATION FOR DIAGRAM 3 OMITTED].)

If the stealer goes all the way, the 2nd baseman will take the catcher's throw and make the tag.

If the runner stops in the baseline, the 2nd baseman will throw to the 1st baseman trailing him.

In the ensuing rundown, the defenders have to keep alert for a signal from the 3rd baseman. "Four-four" will let them know that the lead runner is going to the plate.

The 2nd baseman should try to tag out the back runner if he's close enough - getting the third out before the lead runner can cross the plate. If the 2nd baseman isn't close enough to make the tag, he can throw home as soon as he hears the "four-four."

Shortstop. As a rule, we prefer to have the SS cover 2nd, as he has the stronger arm. He will make the play there just as prescribed for the 2nd baseman.

3rd Baseman. Breaks to the bag as the catcher receives the pitch. If he is certain that the lead runner can be picked off by the catcher, he will raise his hands in the touchdown signal. Whenever the runner attempts to break for the plate, the 3rd baseman will yell "four-four."

Left Fielder. Backs up any throw to 3rd, and is ready to get involved on any rundown between 3rd and the plate.

Center Fielder. Backs up catcher's throw to 2nd.

Right Fielder. Backs up any throw to 1st and becomes responsible for the bag whenever the pitcher arrives late.

CATCHER THROWS BACK TO THE PITCHER [ILLUSTRATION FOR DIAGRAM 4 OMITTED]:

Pitcher. After delivering to the plate, he brings his glove up above his shoulder as a target for the catcher. Upon catching the ball, he immediately looks to 3rd. If the 3rd baseman is signaling touchdown, he throws to him.

If the runner on 3rd is holding, but the back runner has stopped in the middle of the baseline, the pitcher should throw to the 2nd baseman in the baseline.

If a rundown occurs, the pitcher must back up the man at 1st.

If a rundown occurs between 3rd and the plate, the pitcher must back up the plate.

Catcher. Receives the pitch and takes a quick peek at the 3rd baseman for the touchdown sign. If it's there, he throws to 3rd. If it isn't, he throws to the pitcher's glove (at shoulder height), then stays alert for a possible rundown or a play at the plate.

1st Baseman. Holds the runner and yells "there he goes" if the man breaks for 2nd. He trails the runner after the pitch goes past the hitter. He also keeps an eye on the catcher, ready to back up the plate (as previously mentioned).

2nd Baseman. Covers the bag and then edges into the baseline and follows the throw to the pitcher. He calls "two-two" if he has a play on the runner.

Shortstop. Breaks in back of the bag on line with the catcher's throw to the pitcher, as a back-up man. Stays alert for a rundown situation either between 1st and 2nd or 3rd and the plate.

3rd Baseman. Raises his hands (touchdown) to signal the catcher or pitcher that the runner can be picked off 3rd. If the catcher's throw goes to the pitcher, he watches the lead runner and will yell if he breaks for the plate.

Center Fielder. Backs up all throws to 2nd base.

Right Fielder. Backs up all throws in the vicinity of 1st base.

Left Fielder. Backs up all throws to 3rd, ready to get involved in a rundown between 3rd and the plate, since the SS is backing up the pitcher.