Two Things Baseball Pitchers Can Do To Successfully Pick Off Sneaky Base Runners

Baker University (Kansas) pitcher Nathan Schweitzer, on the mound, tries to pick off a runner at first with a quick move and throw to Dan Carr at first base. He didn't get him, though.

The key to successfully picking a base runner off at first base is two things.

1. You've got to have quick feet.
2. You've got to make a short-arm throw.

Short-arm throws involve "shortening" your backward arm path and speeding up your arm swing. One way to speed this up is to break your throwing hand a split-second prior to jump turning.

Quick feet involves keeping your feet at about 12 inches from one another, and then moving them at the same time -- always keeping them about 12 inches apart, when you make your jump turn and throw.