盗塁

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The written form is 盗塁, read とうるい. Elements for stealing and base combine in a baseball term for a runner advancing by stealing a base.
• Basic usage: 盗塁に成功する describes a runner successfully stealing a base, while 盗塁を警戒する describes the opposing team guarding against that possibility.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A runner spotting an opening
  • The runner uses an opening in the pitcher’s attention to steal a base. Example: 走者は投手の隙を見て盗塁に成功した。 — The runner spotted an opening and successfully stole a base.
• A defense repeatedly checking first base
  • The other team repeatedly checks first base because it anticipates a steal. Example: 相手は盗塁を警戒して何度も一塁を確認した。 — The other team repeatedly checked first base because they feared a steal.