what is the difference between a stolen base and a defensive indifference?

Answer 1

Defensive indifference is when the defense makes no effort or move to try and stop the runner from stealing. Meaning no one makes an attempt to cover the bag as well as there is no trow. Generally this happens late in a game when the team trying to steal the base is down by a lot of runs.

Stolen bases generally involve some form of measure for trying to throw the baserunner out.

Answer 2

Defensive Indifference

Answer 3

I beleive the difference is that a steal is when the catcher challenges the runner by throwing down to second base. Also, if it is a close game in the latter stages, then even if the runner is not challenged the official score keeper can award the runner with a steal. A defensive indifference is when in the later stages of the game one team is leading in a blowout (say 13-1) and the runner steals second without a throw, then the official score keeper can rule that a defensive indifference, the catcher did not challenge the runner at second because it will not affect the outcome of the game (usually)

Answer 4

The defensive team has to make an effort to throw out the runner. Otherwise, what's the point? So the runner doesn't get a stolen base. It usually comes up late in one-sided games.

Answer 5

Simple -- a stolen base is scored when the runners beats the throw after being held on base by the first baseman.

If the first baseman is holding the runner it is a steal although no throw may be made.

No hold at first + no throw = def. indifference. Use FC like a fielder's choice for the scorebook.

Answer 6

Defensive indifference usually occurs in the last few innings of a game (8th inning, 9th inning) when one team is winning by a substantial margin (5+ runs) and no attempt is made to hold the runner on the base or throw him out..

Answer 7

"Defensive indifference" is officially scored as a fielder's choice. True.