Tim has really good points. It's extremely frustrating to watch catchers who in real life can barely throw to second base, retiring top base stealers.
As in real life, the pitcher's record vs. baserunners enters in and the whole equation becomes incredibly complicated from a strategic standpoint.
Where base stealers come in handiest in my experience, is when you have players who can hit and run. The game treats H&R stats in a bizarre way, results-wise, in my opinion. However, if you can combine a base stealer with a hit and run guy, you often get successful steals or a two-base advance on an out.
Has anybody else noticed this?