TAMPA -- Behind a crowd of young, energetic baseball players sits David Eckstein.
Like a little leaguer overshadowed by the bigger, more powerful players, Eckstein waits patiently in the clubhouse, studying every bit of information he can get.
By the time the crowd has trickled in, the former Gator already has consulted with his coaches, done his physical warmups and prepared himself for the most crucial part of his pregame ritual the pitching charts.
Prior to every game, the Single-A Red Sox provide their base stealers with information on the pitcher they are about to face. They give them information on the speed of each pitcher, his movement and the best way to steal against him.
So when Eckstein reaches first base, his chance to steal a base greatly has improved. More importantly to Sarasota, the Goliaths behind him have improved their chance of getting an RBI.
"Once I am on, the manager really likes to put pressure on the other team, and these charts allow you to do that," said Eckstein, who plays second base. "We have numbers on every pitcher that we face, and that really prepares you when you go into a game.
"We have guys on the bench and managers telling us, `This guy is this fast to the plate.' They make sure I know the pitchers tendencies and that is very valuable."
Considering Eckstein's performance on the base paths this season, the preparation of the charts has been a wise investment.
The former Gator places sixth in the Florida State League with 29 stolen bases and is fourth in runs scored with 68.
Red Sox manager Bob Geren said that it is important to inform your base stealers with as much information on the opposing pitcher as possible.
"The average catcher throws the ball to second base in about 2.0 seconds and the average pitcher is about 1.35 seconds to the plate," Geren said. "If you add them up it comes to 3.35, and David runs down there at about 3.3, so basically it takes an absolutely perfect throw just to be close to him.
"Some pitchers try to speed up their time when they are out there and we try to recognize which ones those are as well."
Before the charts can be applied, however, Eckstein must first reach base an obstacle which has not posed much of a challenge.
Sarasota's leadoff hitter is batting .306 and is currently tied for fourth in the FSL with a .420 on-base percentage and third in doubles with 26.
Once Eckstein reaches base, then he can start to use the strategies outlined. And any time a pitcher is concerned about the runners on base, that opens things up for the person at the plate.
"It gives us a better chance to drive more people in so they can score," said third baseman Juan Espinal, who bats third and has hit 11 home runs with 58 RBI. "I usually have the green light when I get up, so when we have a man on base, we will get more pitches down the middle to hit."
In the majors, players like Eckstein have diminished, due to clubs opting for more power than speed.
Eckstein said that pitchers have become better at keeping base stealers in check, making a report on a pitcher's tendencies much more vital.
"If you look at the numbers in the major leagues, stolen bases are down," said Eckstein, who played at UF from 1994-97. "The pitchers hold runners on a little better and they have the slide step and there is usually a great catcher behind the plate. In the majors, runs are hard to come by, so you don't want to run yourself out of an inning."
But Eckstein has not had to worry about costing his team runs. He has provided Sarasota with a productive leadoff hitter all season.
And with a shortage of players setting the table for more prolific power players at the next level, Eckstein likely will be moving up the charts in the Red Sox organization.
"There will definitely be a spot for him in Double-A and maybe Triple-A next season," Geren said. "He gets on base and makes things happen. The batters after him are going to get more pitches down the middle because the catchers are worried he is going to steal. Every team needs somebody like David. He can win a game for you."
