Pick Off Plays at 3B

We use numbers. For example we have our fielder play a "2." That "2" means that they will have 2 feet in the grass. Playing a 3 is one step behind the baseline and one-two step off of 3rd. Playing a "4" means that you are deeper and you'd better not get beaten on the line. Naturally, playing a "1" is when we are certain that they are bunting. I don't recommend that you have a 3rd baseman play so close that they are grave danger if the hitter swings. I know some coaches teach that.

We can call all pics with a series of verbals. For example, "How many down?" I never use that phrase and so, we've used the venacular of the day and we say to our fielders, "Are you down with this." In other words, "down" with the fact that Coach wants a pickoff. They then listen to other key phrases. We also have "wipe offs" like, "Kevin, how many down?" Name in front wipes it off. However, we are also saying that the fielder can expect a call AND they are looking for a good time. If they have it, they can then call one on their own after the initial pitch of the call. Hope this makes sense.

I have found myself very tenative to call for a pick at third. I look at the risk-reward. How many times do you get someone there? Very rarely is a team stealing/squeezing. I feel our pitchers are trained well enough to react to squeeze and a steal of home that we only need to pay attention to the runner. To me, this makes the reward possibility very low. The risk if there is a physical or mental mistake is a run for the other team.

BCRockets, very true on the dangers. However, the ability to show the pick, even if you don't throw, has to be accomplished. Knowing the squeeze is always an option, the ability to show the pic gives the baserunner at 3rd and/or the coach something else to consider when putting on that squeeze.

Coach B -

I couldn't agree with you more. We do call picks against teams who are aggressive and show they will squeeze. If I do not think a team is aggressive enough to squeeze, I will not risk making a pick at third.

It could be the area of the state, but we have not run into that many teams that will squeeze on a regular basis.

Found a play last year and used it in a playoff game this year and it worked great.

3rd baseman "wanders" onto the grass as the coach is telling the runner at 3rd to go as far as the fielder (believes the 3rd baseman is anticipating a bunt).

Meanwhile, our SS has moved closer to 3rd and P throws a pitchout. Catcher pops and throws to the SS at 3rd.

Worked like a charm the only time we ran it.

Good communication is needed so that the P does not throw anything in the strike zone...3rd and SS are obviously out of position.

Hope this helps!