Pickoff Plays Part 1: Runner is on either First, Second, or Third Base 

The goal of any pickoff play is to keep a base runner from gaining an extra step in order to score, while potenially getting an out in the process. Today I will be going over pickoff plays that have a single base runner on. The base runner could either be on first, second, or third base. The keys to a successful pickoff play are communication, trust, quality fundamentals, and confidence. Without each of these elements, then a successful pickoff play will not happen. 

First Base

First Base Pickoff: 

With this pickoff play, the first baseman will be playing behind the base runner. The catcher is the one who puts the pickoff play on for a right handed pitcher. If there is significant daylight (distance) between the runner's lead and the first baseman then the catcher can signal to both the first baseman and pitcher to throw over to the first baseman. The play is called on by the catcher by popping his mitt with his hand. When the glove is popped by the catcher, the pitcher throws over to first base and the first baseman crashes towards first base. For a left handed pitcher, the first baseman has the biggest responsibility with the play. The left handed pitcher will look over and when the first baseman crashes towards first base, the left handed pitcher throws over to first base. The goal of this play is to keep the runner at first base to have a conservative lead or to potentially get an out. 

First Base Pickoff 2: 

The first baseman puts this play on by stepping in front of the runner as the pitcher comes set. If the base runner gets off farther than the first baseman, then the first baseman crashes towards first base and the pitcher will throw over. The pitcher will have to read if the first baseman crashes towards first base or not in order to throw over or not. For the first baseman, he does not go towards first base if the base runner stays even with him in distance. 

Second Base

Daylight: 

There is no sign needed for this pickoff play. After the pitcher has come set, the shortstop will come up behind the base runner and attempts to bluff him back to second base to shorten his lead. If the runner doesn't step back towards second base, the pitcher throws to the shortstop crashing towards second base. If the shortstop gets the base runner to step back to second base, the shortstop will slap his glove to signal to the pitcher to make the pitch. The shortsop will then go back to his position. 

Count Pickoff:

The pitcher will get the sign from either the second baseman or the shortstop depening on who will be covering (with a right handed hitter up second covers and with a left handed hitter up the shortstop covers). This play is all based off of timing. When the pitcher starts his stretch, the infielder who is not covering will bluff the runner at second base. As the pitcher has come set he will count one one-thousand, two one-thousand, or say U-C in UCLA. The middle infielder covering will then break to the bag, and the pitcher will throw to second base in order to pickoff the unsuspecting base runner. 

Leg Lift Pickoff:

This play is based off of the pitcher and the shortstop. The shortsop and pitcher must put this play on (often a saying or a hand signal). After the pitcher has come set the pitcher will reverse pivot towards second base. When the pitcher starts to left his leg, the shortstop will cover second base and attempt to pickoff the runner at second base. 

Third Base

Third Base Pickoff:

This play is all about timing. When the right handed pitcher lifts his leg, the third baseman crashes towards third base and the right handed pitcher doesn't break the 45 degree plane and throws over to third base. For a left handed pitcher, the third baseman crashes and the left handed pitcher will step off seeing the third baseman crashing and throws over to third base. 

15: 

This pickoff play is put on by the catcher. The pitcher will be in the windup with a runner on third base for this play. If the catcher sees significant daylight (distance) between the the third baseman and third base the catcher will pop his mitt with his hand and the pitcher will jump turn and throw to third base. 

All of these pickoff plays have been tried and true pickoff plays that have worked for many baseball programs. My suggestion would be to try out these plays and find out which play works best for your team. You don't have to have every play in your playbook, you just have to have the ones that work best for your team. The goal for any pickoff play is to prevent the base runner from taking an extra step and potentially gain an out. When a pickoff play works momentum goes towards the defense and can turn the game around for your ball club.