How Left-Handed Pitchers Can Prevent Base Runners From Taking Big Leads And Stealing Bases

One of the easiest ways for base runners at first base to get a big jump and steal on left-handed pitchers is to watch the pitcher's lead leg (right leg). If the pitcher swings his lead leg past the line of the rubber (the knee), he must go home with the pitch. As soon as a good base runner sees this, he's usually off to second base.

A simple fix for lefties is this: when lifting the lead leg, keep it near the plane of the pitching rubber. In other words, lift it up more vertically as opposed to lifting it up and back.  The closer it is to the plane of the rubber, the tougher it is to steal on you. All the very best left-hand pitchers do this, like Andy Pettitte. Do you?