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11 replies

Interesting Pick-off play

C C_PEN_Bears10+ posts
To all you coaches not that don't coach Junior College baseball (just b/c I don't want you to use it against us), I saw an interesting pick-off play that many programs could use to get themselves out of a bind w/ the bases loaded.

I saw this play last spring in a high school game. Although it was unsuccessful, my team used it this past summer in the TCL a couple of times that ended up getting us out of a bind.

With the bases loaded, and two out, the pitcher lifted his leg and did what appeared to be a third-first move. But instead of throwing to first, he continued to turn and threw to the short stop, who broke when the pitcher pump-faked to third.

Again, it was unsuccessful that time, b/c of a heads-up runner.

We used one pitch after showing the third-first move. The runner on second had no clue what hit 'em.

Hope someone can use this to get them into the playoffs. Like all other pick-off plays, it needs to be practiced, but it can really save your season, or at least that game.
Interested to see if anyone uses it, and if you had success with it or not.

www.blastbat.com
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L LOW337100+ posts
06Catcher,

Not a balk. RHP throwing from the set (stretch) lifts leg to perform and 3rd to 1st move would be disengaged from the rubber (after he gains ground toward 3rd then turns to 1st) hence making him an infielder (or fielder for that case) and would be free do to as he wishes. Example: man on second only....pitcher does an inside move to second and while lifting his leg the runner at second attemts to steal third. Pitcher lifts leg to do inside move, gains ground toward second w/ left foot. Left foot hits the ground, no throw to second, then right foot is disengaged he is free to throw where ever he wants.
L LOW337100+ posts
Could see it happening at very lower levels....However; as soon as pitcher picks leg and is performing the move to third everyone (hopefully, the third base coach) is yelling BACK....Runner at second isn't going to steal third so there should be no sense of ergency, just make sure pitcher is throwing the ball to the plate then get his secondary....as soon as the pitcher steps to third there is nothing for the man at second to do but go back to second base......Kids just learning to play w/ leads may be surprised and picked off...I don't think that it would be anything that a pitcher would use beyond 13 yrs of age......
C C_PEN_Bears10+ posts
LOW,
It worked for our team... twice. And we had guys from Texas A&M, McNeese St., Cal, Oklahoma... That's as close to pro-ball as you can get. As we all know, a baserunner is always supposed to sprint back to the bag... but when there are men on first and second, and the pitcher does an inside move to second, does the runner on first sprint back? Absolutely not. It's the same situation here b/c the man on second has never seen it before. The thought doesn't cross his mind that the ball could possibly make it's way to second base. All that needs to happen is a sellable 3rd-1st move. Sellable enough to make the runner on second begin taking his secondary lead.

www.blastbat.com
06catcherdad06catcherdad1,000+ posts
OK, I understand what you're saying. I thought the pitcher was lifting his leg as if to fake to third and then wheeling around and throwing to SS in his fielding position.

Interesting play, but not one I'd care to try at upper levels. Most every baserunner will be heading back to base, no matter which one he occupies. One thing to keep in mind is that at higher levels, trick plays almost never work, and they do have potential for disaster. If the probability of success is so low, no sense in going with something you may regret later.
H hsballcoach100+ posts
Interesting play. I have to admit that I do not think I would try it though. With two outs, there is a lot of pressure on the hitter. The bases are loaded and the force is in play everwhere. If the pick-off is not successful and the runner from third advances via the rundown play then you give up a run and lose the force situation. It seems alot more could go wrong, than for the chance it could go right with 2 outs. But, I will definitely have to give it some thought.
L larrythompson500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Coachric:
With runners on 2nd and 3rd or loaded we would usually pitch from the windup. We would then have our cathcer signal the pitcher to quickly step back off the rubber, wheel and throw to 2nd. With 2 outs this got us out of a couple of jams.


Coachric, are you saying your pitchers always throw from the windup with runners on 2nd and 3rd or loaded? If so, why? Aren't you less likely to turn a double play or get a force at home?

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