Few plays in baseball are as consistently close and exciting as the stolen base.1 While there are several studies of sprinting,2–4 the art of base stealing is much more nuanced. This article describes the motion of the base-stealing runner using a very basic kinematic model. The model will be compared to some data from a Major League game. The predictions of the model show consistency with the skills needed for effective base stealing.
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For a fun three-minute video on the science behind stolen bases, check out ESPN Sport Science at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xgz5-XToJIw&feature=related.
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Video available at MLB.com, mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=4405607&c_id=mlb.
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Video available at YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3VrnO5rGk.
© 2013 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2013
American Association of Physics Teachers
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