PGStaff,
I would like to hear your pick system.
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Coach,
OK, but I don't have time right now. If I forget please remind me. I'll be happy to give it here.
OK, but I don't have time right now. If I forget please remind me. I'll be happy to give it here.
PICK OFF SYSTEM
There are others we have used over the years, but this system worked the very best for us. It would take a long time to write it out completely, but here is the idea. Condensed version.
First you must know and understand your players. Certain players are better at certain things! The catcher has to be very alert for this system to work. In fact, a real smart observant catcher will put picks on without help from the bench. The first baseman has to be good with the glove, mostly to protect from bad throws.
Pickoffs could be called from the dugout or from middle infielders or first baseman. Any sign can be used from the dugout to the catcher for pickoff at any base. We used verbals.
We would have our standard pickoffs that were called or not called from the bench, but in most cases here was the way it went.
Runners at 1B with runner at 2B or bases loaded. 1st baseman playing behind runner.
We would have players in the dugout watch opposing base runners carefully. Since we specialized in base running our players were very good at finding base running weaknesses.
If a weakness showed up, we were notified. Example – Runner at 1st base getting too comfortable a lead with 1st baseman playing behind him. Another example - bad 1st base coach not watching our 1st baseman.
Coach verbals to 1st baseman and 1st baseman gives sign to catcher, catcher gives sign to pitcher. At this point everyone involved P/C/1B knows the pick is on and there will be no pitch towards home plate.
Catcher after giving (pick off 1st base) sign to pitcher – closes his hand (Thumb tip over finger tips with back of fist showing towrds the pitcher) The pitcher is looking in for signs and continues to look until the point the catcher snaps his hand open. This could happen at any time from the look in for signs to after the pitcher comes set or at any point between.
The 1st baseman watches the runner in front of him and once the runner is about to reach his final lead but before he gets set, the 1st baseman will quietly break to the bag. You want 1st baseman breaking towards bag while runner is increasing his lead... not after he has reached his final lead.
The catcher is watching the 1st baseman and the runner – the pitcher knows he will not be throwing a pitch and is ready to pick as soon as the catcher flicks his hand open. As soon as the catcher sees the 1st baseman will easily beat the runner back to the bag, he snaps his fingers open. As soon as the pitcher sees the catcher snap his fingers open he picks!
It’s a timing play, but it’s based on what the catcher is watching right in front of him and he becomes the timing device. If for some reason the catcher thinks there is not a good chance for the out, he calls off the pick and tells the pitcher to step off.
Hope I have described this well enough. Believe me… It is unbelievable how many tight situations we bailed out of with this pickoff. Of course, it most always happens in situations with a runner at 2B or even bases loaded. But we have ended games by having our 1st baseman play behind the runner (as if we are willing to give him 2B) and then picking him off.
For those that don’t believe…. Next time your at a game (any game) and you see the 1st baseman playing behind the runner… Ask yourself, if this was timed right could we pick this runner off? You’ll be shocked how often you will say YES Of course!
The same pick signal - catcher to pitcher works well when the 1st baseman is holding the runner. Only thing is, it’s not as necessary that anyone other than the catcher and pitcher know anything is on.
Once pickoff is given to the pitcher the catcher closes his hand (thumb tip to finger tip) when he sees the best possible instant for the pick he snaps his hand open. This can be at any point from first sign to after set. Pitcher is just looking for the fingers to snap open and make a quick move, he knows he's not going to make a pitch.
The catcher will actually guess or anticipate the exact right instant. Example – right before the runner lifts his right foot off the ground. This allows for perfect timing when done right, the pitcher picks while the runner has his right foot off the ground… He’s Cooked!
The catcher becomes the pitchers eyes! Our catchers received intense training and practice to be able to execute this properly. As did our first basemen regarding the pick playing behind the runner. The advantage in timing using the catchers eyes is very valuable.
That’s some of the 1st base stuff, I’ll write more later if anyone’s really interested.
By the way, I know these things are done in some programs. However, it surprises me how many great programs do not utilize this big weapon! It’s not hard to master, and I can’t tell you how many times it helped us win games.
Note: Many use catcher’s eyes plays for pick offs at 2B. Normally they drop their glove for the "pick now" sign. We found the finger tips to thumb tip snap, is quicker and easier for the pitcher to react quickly. Just tuck your index and middle finger under your thumb tip in a partially closed hand or fist, show the back of your hand to the pitcher and flick it open.
Please don't argue about this until you've tried it and won a few games because of it.
There are others we have used over the years, but this system worked the very best for us. It would take a long time to write it out completely, but here is the idea. Condensed version.
First you must know and understand your players. Certain players are better at certain things! The catcher has to be very alert for this system to work. In fact, a real smart observant catcher will put picks on without help from the bench. The first baseman has to be good with the glove, mostly to protect from bad throws.
Pickoffs could be called from the dugout or from middle infielders or first baseman. Any sign can be used from the dugout to the catcher for pickoff at any base. We used verbals.
We would have our standard pickoffs that were called or not called from the bench, but in most cases here was the way it went.
Runners at 1B with runner at 2B or bases loaded. 1st baseman playing behind runner.
We would have players in the dugout watch opposing base runners carefully. Since we specialized in base running our players were very good at finding base running weaknesses.
If a weakness showed up, we were notified. Example – Runner at 1st base getting too comfortable a lead with 1st baseman playing behind him. Another example - bad 1st base coach not watching our 1st baseman.
Coach verbals to 1st baseman and 1st baseman gives sign to catcher, catcher gives sign to pitcher. At this point everyone involved P/C/1B knows the pick is on and there will be no pitch towards home plate.
Catcher after giving (pick off 1st base) sign to pitcher – closes his hand (Thumb tip over finger tips with back of fist showing towrds the pitcher) The pitcher is looking in for signs and continues to look until the point the catcher snaps his hand open. This could happen at any time from the look in for signs to after the pitcher comes set or at any point between.
The 1st baseman watches the runner in front of him and once the runner is about to reach his final lead but before he gets set, the 1st baseman will quietly break to the bag. You want 1st baseman breaking towards bag while runner is increasing his lead... not after he has reached his final lead.
The catcher is watching the 1st baseman and the runner – the pitcher knows he will not be throwing a pitch and is ready to pick as soon as the catcher flicks his hand open. As soon as the catcher sees the 1st baseman will easily beat the runner back to the bag, he snaps his fingers open. As soon as the pitcher sees the catcher snap his fingers open he picks!
It’s a timing play, but it’s based on what the catcher is watching right in front of him and he becomes the timing device. If for some reason the catcher thinks there is not a good chance for the out, he calls off the pick and tells the pitcher to step off.
Hope I have described this well enough. Believe me… It is unbelievable how many tight situations we bailed out of with this pickoff. Of course, it most always happens in situations with a runner at 2B or even bases loaded. But we have ended games by having our 1st baseman play behind the runner (as if we are willing to give him 2B) and then picking him off.
For those that don’t believe…. Next time your at a game (any game) and you see the 1st baseman playing behind the runner… Ask yourself, if this was timed right could we pick this runner off? You’ll be shocked how often you will say YES Of course!
The same pick signal - catcher to pitcher works well when the 1st baseman is holding the runner. Only thing is, it’s not as necessary that anyone other than the catcher and pitcher know anything is on.
Once pickoff is given to the pitcher the catcher closes his hand (thumb tip to finger tip) when he sees the best possible instant for the pick he snaps his hand open. This can be at any point from first sign to after set. Pitcher is just looking for the fingers to snap open and make a quick move, he knows he's not going to make a pitch.
The catcher will actually guess or anticipate the exact right instant. Example – right before the runner lifts his right foot off the ground. This allows for perfect timing when done right, the pitcher picks while the runner has his right foot off the ground… He’s Cooked!
The catcher becomes the pitchers eyes! Our catchers received intense training and practice to be able to execute this properly. As did our first basemen regarding the pick playing behind the runner. The advantage in timing using the catchers eyes is very valuable.
That’s some of the 1st base stuff, I’ll write more later if anyone’s really interested.
By the way, I know these things are done in some programs. However, it surprises me how many great programs do not utilize this big weapon! It’s not hard to master, and I can’t tell you how many times it helped us win games.
Note: Many use catcher’s eyes plays for pick offs at 2B. Normally they drop their glove for the "pick now" sign. We found the finger tips to thumb tip snap, is quicker and easier for the pitcher to react quickly. Just tuck your index and middle finger under your thumb tip in a partially closed hand or fist, show the back of your hand to the pitcher and flick it open.
Please don't argue about this until you've tried it and won a few games because of it.
Thanks for taking the time for that! You were really on top of things. I hop[e we get a chance to use some of this!
You won't get any arguement from me. I'm always interested in reading how others do things.
Some will argue that the time spent on working picks could be better spent elsewhere. I feel just the opposite. If you don't have a pick system in place other teams will find out and take advantage. The psychological damage done to a defense that has no way to control runners often times means the game. Likewise, the psycho damage to an offense that has to be constantly thinking about getting picked, and the psycho boost the prepared defense gets is huge! I remind the kids that even if we don't get a successful pick, we win an advantage by attempting.
If I know a team has no, or has only routine picks......well, I feel sorry for them after the game.
If I know a team has no, or has only routine picks......well, I feel sorry for them after the game.
we work picks everyday in practice. the added advantage to that is offensively you players become better at avoiding the pick
we spend time working on holding runners - not any special pickoff plays. we will put in a pick at first for 1b playing behind. daylight pick runner on 2nd and one with secondbaseman. we spend time daily with our pitchers on holding runners. varying looks, varying hold counts, throws from various positions coming set, etc. this time in "our" opinion is more useful than fancy pickoff plays. just our philosophy not the only one that is right.
I agree. We spend our time ex. the play instead of learning a trick play, and we pick a lot. We picked 9 straight times without a throw to the plate and finaly got the runner at first. That said we do run the hidden ball trick at 2B.
I sure hope no one thinks what I mentioned above has anything to do with trick plays! Those things are standard plays using the catchers eyes.
Pickoff plays using the catcher (not trick plays) are indeed used to pick runners off, not just to hold them close. Holding runners close is one thing (and very important) Picking runners is another thing, a much more aggressive approach.
Pickoff plays using the catcher (not trick plays) are indeed used to pick runners off, not just to hold them close. Holding runners close is one thing (and very important) Picking runners is another thing, a much more aggressive approach.
What is considered trick and what is considered bush league?
I would think anyway you could get a runner out is fair game.
It will teach that runner to pay attention.
I would think anyway you could get a runner out is fair game.
It will teach that runner to pay attention.
PGStaff, we run a series of picks at each base. Our catcher is primary to most of them. We allow our SS and 2B to call picks as well. I decoy a lot. We are now to the point that I can keep an opponents runner close simply by yelling out of our dugout. When I'm not yelling some instruction is when our opponent should be worried. LOL!
