Could the Cubs Use a Tool to Better Track Base Running Success?

[Demetra Altwidus]

I’ve been following the Cubs' games closely, and something keeps bugging me about our approach to base running. There have been moments this season where it feels like we’re not taking full advantage of opportunities on the bases. While our lineup has its strengths, I can't help but wonder if we’re leaving runs on the table because of missed chances to steal or advance on passed balls. As a fan, I’ve been thinking about how we could improve this critical aspect of the game.

One thing that got me thinking was a discussion I overheard about using tools—not apps or software, but actual physical tools or devices—for tracking player movement on the field. Imagine a simple device, possibly managed by coaches or analysts, that could measure how quickly a player reacts when making a move toward the next base. It wouldn’t have to be high-tech or flashy, just something that could help break down the timing and efficiency of a player’s decision-making during a game.

This idea popped into my head when I saw how other teams seem to excel at aggressive base running, and it hit me that maybe the Cubs could benefit from something similar. For instance, what if the coaches had access to a portable tracker that logged the time it took for players to transition from their lead-off to a sprint, giving insight into their jump against the pitcher? I can see this being incredibly useful, especially for younger players trying to master the art of reading a pitcher’s moves.

What inspired me most was seeing a friend use a running tracker during a local 5K race. A running tracker is a tool designed to monitor and record a variety of metrics related to physical activity, such as distance covered, speed, pace, and sometimes even heart rate. The beauty of these tools is that they let you track your running stats online, offering a detailed breakdown of your performance over time. It wasn’t about just tracking distance or speed but showing how their pace changed in real time and highlighting moments when they could push harder. That sort of real-time feedback could be a game-changer if applied to base running in baseball. It would be a way to quantify decisions and make sure players were capitalizing on every opportunity.

That said, I realize there are challenges with any new tool in a professional sports setting. How do you implement something like this without disrupting the natural flow of the game? And would players be receptive to using a tool like this, or would it feel too invasive or overcomplicated? I’m curious if anyone here has seen or heard about similar tools being used in other sports or even in baseball at other levels.

So here’s my question to the community:

What do you think about introducing a tool like this to help the Cubs refine their base running strategy? Do you think it’s something that could make a measurable impact, or is base running more of an instinctual skill that can’t really be improved with outside assistance?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. If you were in the clubhouse, how would you approach making base running a bigger strength for the Cubs? Have you noticed specific moments this season where better base running could have made a difference? Let’s brainstorm this together.

Edited December 1, 2024 by Demetra Altwidus

[Brock Beauchamp]

51 minutes ago, Demetra Altwidus said:

I’ve been following the Cubs' games closely, and something keeps bugging me about our approach to base running. There have been moments this season where it feels like we’re not taking full advantage of opportunities on the bases. While our lineup has its strengths, I can't help but wonder if we’re leaving runs on the table because of missed chances to steal or advance on passed balls. As a fan, I’ve been thinking about how we could improve this critical aspect of the game.

One thing that got me thinking was a discussion I overheard about using tools—not apps or software, but actual physical tools or devices—for tracking player movement on the field. Imagine a simple device, possibly managed by coaches or analysts, that could measure how quickly a player reacts when making a move toward the next base. It wouldn’t have to be high-tech or flashy, just something that could help break down the timing and efficiency of a player’s decision-making during a game.

This idea popped into my head when I saw how other teams seem to excel at aggressive base running, and it hit me that maybe the Cubs could benefit from something similar. For instance, what if the coaches had access to a portable tracker that logged the time it took for players to transition from their lead-off to a sprint, giving insight into their jump against the pitcher? I can see this being incredibly useful, especially for younger players trying to master the art of reading a pitcher’s moves.

What inspired me most was seeing a friend use a running tracker during a local 5K race. A running tracker is a tool designed to monitor and record a variety of metrics related to physical activity, such as distance covered, speed, pace, and sometimes even heart rate. The beauty of these tools is that they let you track your running stats online, offering a detailed breakdown of your performance over time. It wasn’t about just tracking distance or speed but showing how their pace changed in real time and highlighting moments when they could push harder. That sort of real-time feedback could be a game-changer if applied to base running in baseball. It would be a way to quantify decisions and make sure players were capitalizing on every opportunity.

That said, I realize there are challenges with any new tool in a professional sports setting. How do you implement something like this without disrupting the natural flow of the game? And would players be receptive to using a tool like this, or would it feel too invasive or overcomplicated? I’m curious if anyone here has seen or heard about similar tools being used in other sports or even in baseball at other levels.

So here’s my question to the community:

What do you think about introducing a tool like this to help the Cubs refine their base running strategy? Do you think it’s something that could make a measurable impact, or is base running more of an instinctual skill that can’t really be improved with outside assistance?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. If you were in the clubhouse, how would you approach making base running a bigger strength for the Cubs? Have you noticed specific moments this season where better base running could have made a difference? Let’s brainstorm this together.

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[CubinNY]

Getting rid of the 3rd base and 1st base coach is probably their answer. They know speeds from home to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.