The Washington Nationals are successfully utilizing a Little League-style first-and-third double steal play this MLB season, which is typically more common in youth baseball. This strategy has proven effective for the team, creating chaos on the field.
Nationals are using a Little League play — and it keeps working originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This season's Washington Nationals have decided they're going to create chaos.
They're doing it by running a play that is more likely to work in Little League than the major leagues. Except so far in this MLB season, it's working for the Nats, too.
It's the classic first-and-third double steal, the one that baseball teams drill for hours to make sure they know all their defensive options and responsibilities.
The runner on first takes off with the pitch. The catcher throws to second. The runner on third breaks for home.
So far, the Nationals are pulling it off:
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It takes some daring, some athleticism and a strong commitment to actually make this work.
There's a chance it fails. There's a chance the defense outsmarts you. But the only way for it to work is to go full throttle and lean into the plan.
The Nationals, under new leadership this season, are embracing this identity. And once it works once, it makes it more exciting to try again.
Defensive teams will get smarter about this. They may stop throwing down altogether.
But so far, the Nationals have set the tone. They've shown they're not afraid to go for it.
The first-and-third double steal play involves the runner on first base stealing second while the runner on third base attempts to steal home.
The Nationals' implementation of the Little League play has led to successful scoring opportunities and added an element of unpredictability to their gameplay.
This play is often seen as more effective in Little League due to less experienced defenses, making it harder for catchers and infielders to react quickly compared to Major League players.
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