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Stealing bases wins games, but getting thrown out kills rallies. If you coach, keep score, or run the bases, you need a clean grip on what counts as caught stealing, what does not, and how scorekeepers handle each wrinkle. This guide breaks down the rules, the scoring, the edge cases, and the on-field decisions that separate a smart green light from a waste of an out. Read it straight through or jump to the sections you need. The goal is simple. Fewer mistakes. Better steals. Fewer outs on the bases.
What Caught Stealing Really Means
The simple definition
Caught stealing is charged to a runner who is put out while trying to advance to the next base without the aid of a hit, walk, or error. If the runner takes off to steal second, third, or home and is tagged out before safely reaching that base, score it as caught stealing. It is a negative stat for the runner. It also credits the defense for stopping the attempt.
The official triggers you should know
Scorers charge a caught stealing in three common situations. First, the runner is out directly attempting a steal during the pitch, such as trying for second and being tagged on the throw. Second, the runner is picked off but then breaks for the next base and is tagged out during the ensuing play. That is both a pickoff and a caught stealing in many box scores. Third, the runner reaches the base but overslides or overruns it during a steal attempt and is tagged out before regaining contact. In each case, the intent to take the next base without a batted ball drives the scoring.
What Is Not Caught Stealing
Straight pickoff while returning
If a runner is picked off and tagged while diving back to the base he already occupied, do not charge caught stealing. That out is a pickoff only. The runner was not attempting to advance. The pitcher earns the pickoff, and the fielder who applies the tag gets the putout.
Defensive indifference
When the defense chooses not to defend a steal attempt, usually late in a lopsided game or with a large lead for the defense, the scorer rules defensive indifference. The runner is not credited with a stolen base, and no caught stealing applies because there is no out. If the defense later makes a real play on the runner and records an out, that play is no longer indifferent. The out is scored as a caught stealing if the runner was trying to take the next base at that moment.
Balks
If the pitcher balks and the runner is awarded the next base, there is no stolen base and no caught stealing. The advance is by award, not by a successful steal, and the runner cannot be called out for caught stealing on a balk-awarded base.
Batter’s interference on the throw
If the batter interferes with the catcher’s throw on a steal attempt, the umpire calls interference. The batter is out, and the runner returns to his original base. Do not charge caught stealing. The defense did not retire the runner by play; the interference killed the attempt.
Obstruction on the runner
If a fielder without the ball obstructs the runner during a steal attempt and the umpire awards the base, there is no caught stealing. The runner’s advance comes by umpire award due to the obstruction. If the defense still records an out after the obstruction, the umpire can protect the runner back to the awarded base. Scorers do not charge a caught stealing on an obstruction award.
Wild pitch and passed ball during a steal
When the pitch gets away from the catcher, scoring depends on what caused the advance. If the scorer judges that the runner would have been safe even without the wild pitch or passed ball, credit a stolen base. If the advance is solely because the pitch got away, credit a wild pitch or passed ball and no stolen base. If the runner is thrown out trying to advance on that wild pitch or passed ball, do not charge caught stealing. Score the out as advancing on a wild pitch or passed ball that failed.
Edge Cases You Will See
Rundowns between bases
If a runner breaks on the pitch, gets a poor jump, and ends up in a rundown between bases, the out is a caught stealing if he was trying to take that next base. Credit assists to each fielder who handled the ball and a putout to the tagger. If the initial action was a pickoff move, then the runner turned and tried for the next base, the final out becomes a caught stealing plus a pickoff credited to the pitcher.
Delayed steals
A delayed steal is a planned pause after the pitch where the runner takes off when the defense relaxes. If the runner is tagged out trying for the base, it is caught stealing. If the defense never tries and the runner advances easily late in the game with no attempt made, scorers can rule defensive indifference instead of a stolen base. If the catcher throws and an out occurs, there is no indifference and the out is a caught stealing.
Double steals
When two runners go at once, scoring depends on where the out occurs. If the trail runner is thrown out at second while the lead runner takes third, charge caught stealing to the trail runner. If the defense throws to get the runner at the plate and records an out, charge caught stealing to the runner trying to steal home. The successful runner can be credited with a stolen base if the scorer rules that his advance was a true steal attempt. If the defense ignores one runner to focus on the other, the ignored advance can be scored as defensive indifference.
Steal of home and squeeze plays
Stealing home is rare but clear. If the runner breaks for home during the pitch and is tagged out, it is caught stealing home. On a squeeze play, if the batter misses the bunt and the runner from third is tagged out, it is also a caught stealing home because the runner attempted to take the plate during the pitch. If the batter interferes with the catcher on that play, the batter is out for interference and the runner returns, so no caught stealing is charged.
Overslides and pop-up slides
Sliding technique affects scoring. If a runner reaches the base before the tag but overslides and loses contact while the tag is applied, and this happens on a steal attempt, charge caught stealing. If he slides, maintains contact, and is safe, it is a stolen base. On a pickoff return, an overslide that leads to a tag is still a pickoff, not a caught stealing, because he was not trying to advance.
Replay challenges
Modern replay changes calls and scoring. If an initial safe call on a steal is overturned to out, the scorer updates to caught stealing. If an out is overturned to safe, credit a stolen base if the runner advanced by his own action, or another ruling such as wild pitch, passed ball, balk, or obstruction if applicable. Always follow the final call for the scoring line.
How Scorekeepers Record It
The runner’s line
The runner is charged with caught stealing when he is retired on a steal attempt, on the advance after a pickoff, or on an overslide during a steal. This counts against stolen base percentage and weighs on how teams judge base running value. A clean line shows stolen bases and caught stealing totals, which inform green-light decisions later.
Credit to pitcher and catcher
Defensively, the catcher and pitcher share responsibility for controlling the running game. The catcher gets credit for throwing out a runner on a steal, tracked as caught stealing by the catcher and assists on the putout. The pitcher is charged with stolen bases allowed and gets credit for pickoffs. On a pickoff where the runner then tries for the next base and is tagged out, many box scores note both a pickoff and a caught stealing. The fielder who applies the tag records the putout, and any throwers on the play receive assists. This distribution matters for evaluating arms, pop times, hold times, and pickoff moves.
How the play-by-play reads
Common notations include CS 2B, CS 3B, and CS home for caught stealing at the respective base. If the catcher throws to a middle infielder covering second, the scoring lists an assist to the catcher and a putout to the tagger. For pickoff-caught stealing sequences, you may see an entry that reflects both actions. If the advance occurs on a wild pitch or passed ball and the runner is out trying to advance, the play-by-play reflects the wild pitch or passed ball and not a caught stealing.
Strategy: When to Run and When to Hold
Read the pitcher
Everything starts with the lead and the read. Watch the pitcher’s tempo, head movement, and footwork. Note his variation between times to the plate. A slow delivery or a long leg lift raises success odds. On left-handed pitchers, you must learn heel, toe, and knee tells that reveal a move to first versus a commitment to the plate. With right-handers, build confidence in first moves that are clearly to the plate. Track pickoff patterns. If he throws over twice, some pitchers go to the plate next. Others bounce between. Store those tendencies.
Know the catcher
Catcher arm strength and pop time change the math. A strong-armed catcher with quick feet and a clean exchange can erase a marginal jump. Watch warmups and early throws to second. Track where throws tail. A catcher who sails balls arm-side opens the back side for a better slide lane. If the catcher loves back-picks to first or third, tighten your secondary lead with two strikes or with aggressive hitters who might miss a pitch.
Use game state
Outs, count, and batter quality matter. Do not run into an out in front of your best hitter unless the success chance is very high. With two outs, getting thrown out ends the inning and erases the batter’s chance. With a contact hitter and a hole created by a middle infielder covering, a hit-and-run or straight steal can open lanes. Down big late, defenses may ignore the runner, which turns attempts into defensive indifference situations. That is not the place to risk a caught stealing unless it sets up a real scoring chance.
Time the jump
Your first step decides the play. Build a comfortable primary lead that you can repeat. Work a rhythmic secondary on the pitcher’s motion to the plate. Do not creep early against catchers who back-pick. Base it off the pitcher’s first move at full speed. The best jump is decisive on the pitcher’s first commitment to the plate. Hesitation creates rundowns and gets you caught stealing.
Lefty versus righty moves
Against lefties, read the front leg and the shoulders. If the knee crosses the rubber line toward home and the shoulders open to the plate, go. If the heel drops and the knee stays closed, hold. Many lefties disguise their move. Commit only when the front leg or the stride reveals plate intent. Against righties, use momentum. Once his front shoulder opens and the leg heads down, go. Demand consistency. If you cannot read him, reduce attempts or use hit-and-run to protect the runner.
How to Avoid Getting Caught
Start with the lead
Set a repeatable primary lead. Most runners thrive with a lead that lets them dive back without panic. Stay balanced and ready to pivot. In your secondary, avoid drifting. Landing flat-footed when the pitch crosses the plate hurts your first step. Practice starts from different lead depths so you adapt to different pickoff moves.
Win the first two steps
Make the first move explosive. Keep your head still and your torso low. Drive off the back leg without a false step. Do not pop upright early. The first ten feet decide if the catcher even throws. If your first step is late, do not keep going into a sure out. Reverse and shorten the damage. A clean retreat is better than a caught stealing.
Know balk traps and avoid them
Some pitchers invite a big secondary and then flinch to draw a swing at the lead. Learn which flinches are legal. If you chase jumps on borderline moves, you will run into more pickoffs and caught stealings on the advance. Force him to come set. Force him to commit. Your job is to make the balk call easy for the umpire and tough for the pitcher. Do not leave early based on noise or fake breaks from middle infielders.
Slide with intent
Choose your slide based on throw location. If the throw leaks arm-side, slide to the back corner of the bag with the opposite hand. If the ball beats you, use a pop-up slide to maintain contact and avoid oversliding off the base. If the tag comes high, hook-slide early and reach for the back edge. The goal is simple. Keep contact once you touch the base. Many caught stealings happen after a safe touch followed by an overslide. Control your momentum and finish under control.
Communicate and protect
Runners and hitters must share the plan. If you are running, the hitter protects you by taking borderline pitches and avoiding swings that create perfect throws. With two strikes, be careful. A swing and miss increases the catcher’s throwing lane. If a hit-and-run is on, your jump can be smaller because the infield will move. Without clear signs, do not freelance into outs. One missed sign can be the difference between a stolen base and a costly caught stealing.
Coaching and Scoring Checkpoints
Common scoring mistakes to avoid
Do not charge caught stealing on a simple pickoff where the runner is returning to the base. Do not credit a stolen base or charge a caught stealing when a balk or obstruction awards the base. On wild pitches and passed balls, separate true steal attempts from advances due only to the misplay. If the runner attempts a steal and would be safe without the misplay, credit the stolen base. If he advances because the pitch got away and is then thrown out, do not charge caught stealing. Note defensive indifference when the defense clearly does not try to stop the advance in a low-leverage spot.
Practice that reduces caught stealing
Drill jumps with a stopwatch from first move to the first ten yards. Pair runners with pitchers practicing slide steps and varied looks. Rep pickoff survival, including dive-backs and immediate decisions to go or stop when trapped. Practice sliding to different bag edges based on throw flight. Time catcher pop times and match attempts to favorable pairings. Simulate game states where steals add run value instead of burning outs. A planned, data-driven approach cuts caught stealings and turns the running game into a weapon.
Quick Rules by Level
Pro and MLB
In professional baseball, scorekeeping sticks to the principles above. Caught stealing applies on direct steal attempts, on advances after pickoffs, and on overslides during a steal. Replay can change safe to out and update the scoring to caught stealing. Balks, obstruction awards, and batter’s interference cancel the steal attempt for scoring. Wild pitches and passed balls are judged based on whether the runner would have been safe without them.
College and high school
The same core definitions apply. Leagues may differ in enforcement pace and replay availability, but the scoring logic does not change. Coaches should teach players that pickoffs while returning are not caught stealing, that caught stealing applies when they try for the next base after a pickoff, and that overslides during a steal count as caught stealing. Batter’s interference places the out on the batter and returns the runner. Balks and obstruction awards remove the steal from the scoring.
Fastpitch softball notes
Fastpitch softball uses the same scoring ideas. Steal attempts that end in outs are caught stealing. Pickoffs back to the base are not caught stealing. On wild pitches and passed balls, scorers judge whether the advance was a true steal or driven by the misplay. Batter’s interference cancels the steal attempt for scoring. Balk-like awards and obstruction awards are handled as base awards, not steals, and do not result in caught stealing.
Putting It All Together
The line between aggressive and reckless is thin on the bases. If you know what triggers caught stealing and what does not, you can run smarter and score cleaner. The rules fit into a pattern. Outs while taking the next base by your own action are caught stealing, except when a base is awarded, when the batter’s interference kills the play, or when a wild pitch or passed ball solely drives the advance. Pickoffs while returning are separate. Edge cases like rundowns, double steals, and steals of home follow the same core idea. With a clear plan, sharper reads, and better slides, you reduce caught stealings and turn attempts into runs.
FAQ
Q: What counts as a caught stealing?
A: A runner is charged with caught stealing when he is put out trying to advance to the next base on his own during a steal attempt, when he is picked off and then tries for the next base and is tagged out, or when he overslides the base during a steal and is tagged before regaining contact.
Q: Is a pickoff the same as a caught stealing?
A: No. A straight pickoff where the runner is tagged while returning to his base is a pickoff only. It becomes a caught stealing if the runner, after being picked off, tries for the next base and is tagged out on that advance.
Q: Does a balk wipe out a caught stealing?
A: Yes. On a balk, the runner is awarded the next base. There is no stolen base and no caught stealing because the advance comes by award, not by a successful steal or an out.
Q: How are wild pitches and passed balls scored during a steal?
A: If the scorer judges the runner would have been safe without the wild pitch or passed ball, credit a stolen base. If the advance happens only because the pitch got away, credit a wild pitch or passed ball instead. If the runner is thrown out trying to advance on that wild pitch or passed ball, do not charge caught stealing.
Q: Who gets credit on defense for a caught stealing?
A: The catcher is credited for throwing out the runner and receives an assist if he makes the throw, while the fielder who applies the tag gets the putout. The pitcher is evaluated on controlling the running game and is also credited with pickoffs when applicable.