Being in the 1st base coach's box gives me a great view of how inefficient some leads are. It's a game of inches. Taking a lead off the back edge is one thing... but taking it off 2 feet behind the baseline is just not going to cut it when you're out by a half step.
2 feet behind the baseline means the same lead (let's say 10 feet off the base) is 2.4 inches farther from the base than the one in the baseline. I'll restate the baseball wisdom again... It's a game of inches.
"But what if I'm not trying to steal?" -Honest rebuttal
Well, when your teammate hits that groundball to the Shortstop's right and throws to the covering 2nd baseman at 2nd, that 2.4 inches means A LOT. Instead of being a big (little) play, it's an out. But it's okay because you weren't trying to steal, right?
Attention to detail is the name of the game. Don't forget the details. Straight lines are quicker than longer straight lines.
Also, if you ARE trying to steal, taking a lead closer to the baseline makes your lead look shorter to the pitcher.
Be a better baserunner immediately with this one adjustment. Take your lead in the baseline at 1st!
Thank you as always!