Stolen Base Thieves: The DC Grays Approach to the Base Paths
By Matt Rosenthal
If there was one word to describe the 2025 DC Grays, it would be speed. Just about every time that a hitter reached base, they were thinking about taking control of the next one.
The Grays got off to a red hot start around the bases, on pace for over 200 stolen bases through the first couple of weeks of the season. While they finished the season with "just" 114 bags, they were still a squad to be feared on the bases.
Head coach Jack Besser explained how he developed this approach. It boils down to roster construction, and seeing ways to turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples.
"We had guys coming in, Ryan Soong, Noel Rivera, Andy Rivera, Mark Quarrie, and Joey Chitla, all running in the sixes on their 60 times," said Besser. "Guys who know how to steal bases. So you just want to play to your team's strength."
Speedsters put the team in a better position to win close games and make the overall offensive approach easier.
"All you [have to] do is shorten up, put a ball in play," said Besser. "Rather than try and be a hero, hit a ball into a gap."
Ryan Soong (Washington University) was the centerpiece of the stolen base strategy. In 34 games, Soong swiped 33 bags and was caught just six times. His 33 stolen bases are the second most by a player in a season in Cal Ripken League history.
Soong has always been a scrappy player and has been training on his speed all throughout his career. In the past couple of years, his speed has become a shining piece in his skillset.
"You can tell that you're getting into the pitcher's head when you're on the base," said Soong. "Getting pickoffs, and messing up the other team as well. Legging out walks into doubles and into triples is huge for scoring runs and putting pressure on the defense."
Stolen bases, at the major league level, were once thought to be extinct. But in a league where extra base hits are hard to come by, they have to be manufactured. The 2025 DC Grays are a perfect example of turning walks and singles into doubles and triples, taking full advantage of the speed on their roster.