Why Baseball Pitchers Should Use A Different Arm Action On Pickoff Moves

There is a different arm action the right hand baseball pitcher uses for throws to first base. A pitcher's normal arm movement is out of the glove: down, back, up and then throw. The pitcher should not use this same motion to throw to first base. It takes too long. Instead, he should short-arm this throw (infield technique). As he makes his jump or spin move he takes the ball out of the glove and goes straight back to the cocked position, not down and back, just back. (Elbow shoulder high) This gives him a split second edge. Young players have to be taught this move. It does not come naturally.

Pitching Fundamentals: Fielding Skills For Baseball Pitchers

Here are some common fielding situations that you may find yourself in as a baseball pitcher. Knowing what to do ahead of time can really make a difference.

Covering 1B - Run to line and run up line with glove up, receive throw and step on bag with right foot

Fielding  Come backer - Know who has bag, turn and throw to bag, on plays to first field ball and step and make a good sharp throw- no lobs or soft throws

Covering Home - If pitch is in the dirt charge home right away, do not wait to see if runner is going look at 3rd while charging, field throw and swipe the tag

Backing up bases - Runner on 1B back up third on base hit, no runners on back up 2B on base hit to outfield

How To Back Up Bases Correctly As A Pitcher

The pitcher's role in backing up bases is critical. Usually, the ability of the pitcher to stop overthrows (to 3rd and home) determine if the overthrow will cost any more extra bases.

To determine which base to back up -- 3rd or home -- it is important to understand the throwing rules of outfielders.

In most multiple runner situations, the outfielder is going to throw to third to keep the hitter at second base (double with runner one). Remember most outfielders at the college and pro levels can throw to the plate on hard hit balls right at them, depending on where they are playing (depth) and the strength of their arm.

The most important aspects of backing up a base are to:

1. Get as much depth as the field allows. Get all the way back to the dugout (when backing up 3rd) or to the fence (behind home plate).
2. Keep your knees flexed and be ready to smother the ball to keep it out of the dugout or off the fence. When backing up bases, you essentially become a goalie. Keep the baseball in front of you. The farther back you are, the easier this is to do. You must hustle to get into position.

Where to make the play in 5 defensive situations

How to cover first base correctly

• You need to cover first on all balls hit to the right or first-base side of the infield. Here are some tips to do help you do that more effectively.
• Sprint to the foul line, two-thirds of the way toward first base, and then run up the line on the inside of the foul line.
• Hold your glove up and catch the ball with one hand while stepping on the base with the right foot. If the throw isn’t there, hold the bag by dragging the right foot.

How to make a play at home on a comebacker

• Square up the shoulders before throwing home on a comebacker.

How to make a play at second base on a comebacker

• On bunts, square your shoulders to second base before you field the ball, and then stay low, take a quick step with the left, and throw to the bag, not the fielder, because the base is the one immobile constant.
• On comebackers, do a quick crow-hop to square-up, and again throw to the bag. If the fielder is not there, it’s not your fault. Do not hesitate, he will be there.

How to field a bunt with a man on first base

• Charge directly at the batter, and think aggressively about getting the lead runner. If not, reset your feet and throw to first.

How to field a bunt with men on first and second base

• Cover the right side (third base side). Break for the halfway point of the foul line between third and home.
• Call for the ball, and do a reverse pivot to throw to third without hesitation...
• Or reset your feet and throw to first.

How pitchers should field their position

This article was written by Bob Byrd of Baseball Excellence and first appeared in his newsletter, "Tip of the Week."

Pitchers must become proficient at fielding their position. PITCHER'S FIELDING PRACTICE is a very important part of pre-season practice. These are easy, routine plays but it is vital that the pitchers get to the point where it is second nature to them and they make no mistakes.    

• Covering first base on all ground balls hit to the right side of the infield. Don’t forget it is the catcher’s responsibility to call out loud and clear, “Get over there!”
• Comebackers with no one on base. He must field the ball, get a four-seam grip, set his feet and throw a strike to the first baseman. Mistakes here are made because the pitcher throws flatfooted or rushes the throw. As Roy Campanella once said, “You know your can’t outrun that ball.” Take your time.
• Comebackers with a runner on first base or first and second. This is an easy 1-6-3 double play and it should be made every time. Coaches should demand perfection on this play in practice. Mistakes to look for are not closing off the glove-side shoulder to second base, not moving the feet or hurrying the throw (usually resulting in throwing from a low arm slot and the ball sails). Also the pitcher must have in his mind where he will throw the ball with runners on first and second. He should not try for the lead runner here. He should throw to the SS to begin the double play. Do not even practice throwing to third. Even if you are successful you probably won’t be able to get the DP.
• Bases-loaded comebackers. The ball should immediately be thrown, chest high over the plate to the catcher to start the double play. Mistakes here are usually mental. The pitcher didn’t run the scenario in his mind before the pitch.
• Bunted balls. These are usually routine and are dependent on the pitcher’s athleticism, technique and mechanics. (Does he have solid mechanics in that he is facing the catcher after ball release? If he falls off one side of the mound or the other he will not be able to field all bunted balls. The opposing team will easily recognize that and you can be assured they will bunt on your pitcher.) After a pitch to the catcher the coach, in the batter's box may underhand a ball on the infield for the pitcher to field. Tossing balls for bunts is more accurate than hitting fungoes.

Line your pitchers behind the mound and have them take multiple turns for each play. They may simulate a pitch to the catcher if it is a rest day or they may throw fastballs to the catcher, working on accuracy.

PFP should be a high-speed, intense drill with coaches teaching and correcting at every turn. Successful PFP will pay many dividends during the season.

How baseball coaches can run a better "pitcher's fielding practice"

I don't pike too many baseball products on my blog because many aren't worth their salt on the field. But this product is different. And now that I'm a coach and a fungo-hitting machine :-) I find it to be very useful.

I'm talking about the Fango. It's a a rubber gizmo that fits on the end of your fungo to pick up loose baseballs. When a ball is on the ground near you, just push the Fango down over it, and pick the ball right up. No bending over. Not bad.

I particularly enjoyed it while hitting PFPs to the 13-year-old pitchers I was working with this season. Too bad this thing wasn't around during my college days, when, as a starting pitcher, I had fungo duty like it was my second job. Still can't hit pop-ups on home plate to the catcher, though.

Click here to order the Fango.

How pitchers can field their position on bunt plays

Part of being a successful pitcher is successfully fielding your position. Greg Maddux is a prime example. He's won numerous Gold Glove awards (it's baseball's highest honor for fielders) because he fields his position well. He's aware of the developing play around him. He knows what to do.

Part of Maddux's success at fielding is that he spends a lot of time and attention to being a quality fielder. It's important to him. He works on it in practice.

I teach the pitchers I work with to simplify things. If the hitter bunts the ball, for example, listen to your catcher. He can see the entire field. (You, on the other hand, are facing home plate, with your back to the field, so it's tougher for you to see the play develop behind you.)

It's your catcher's call on where you should throw the ball when you have to field your position.

Get to the ball quickly and anticipate a throw to the lead base. Set your feet as if you were going to throw to the lead base. For example, if there's a runner on first base, and the hitter bunts it, set yourself to throw to second base (the lead base in this situation). If your catcher tells you to throw to first base, it's easy to adjust your footwork and make a throw to first.

If you ever "fumble" the baseball or mishandle it, get an out where ever it's easiest to do so. (That's probably at first base.)

What pitchers should do on balls hit to the right side of the infield

It is a pitcher’s responsibility to cover the first base side of the infield on balls hit to the right side. That means ANY ball hit to the right side -- whether or not you've got a shot at picking it up and making a play.

If a pitch is hit between the first and second baseman, sprint directly to first base.

Grab the baseball en route to the bag ONLY if it is a slow-roller and does not take you off your direct path to first base. Otherwise, just keep sprinting over there and leave it for the first baseman to get and throw to you once you get to first base.

Once at first base, cover the bag like a first baseman, because it's likely either he or the second baseman has attempted to field the baseball.

If your second baseman fields it and the first baseman is able to get back to the bag, ease up on your sprint, and let him take it. Get out of the way.

How to do a right-handed pickoff move to first base

Most "steals" in the game of baseball are on the pitcher, not the catcher. You and only you control the running game. That's because you have the baseball. So you have to take ownership, and you have to work on it, just as you do every other aspect of the game.

There are three ways to stop the running game when you're pitching:

1. be quick to the plate
2. have a quick move to first
3. vary your looks and holds

But before I describe some of the tips and tricks I used to keep runners from stealing on me, I want you to know that for a right hander, the term "pickoff" can be misleading. That's because 99 out of 100 times you're not actually going to be able to pick off a runner. After all, your back is to him when he's at first base. That's already a strike against you. But that's OK. Picking guys off shouldn't be your goal. Your goal should be to make the runner STOP. Keep him from leaning or walking toward the lead bag. Don't allow the runner to develop momentum toward the lead bag. See that he stops.

Then, you should be quick to the plate, so if the runner goes, your catcher can possibly throw him out.

You need to get the ball to home plate in 1.3 seconds or less. It's pretty quick, I know. But it's doable. So it's something that you're going to have to work on, because it's expected that you can do that at the college and professional levels.

But it's easier to do than you may think. Come set with your weight favoring the back leg 60/40, and maintain a slight bend in your back leg. That bend in your back leg is helpful because it's the one you'll push and pivot off of, if you make a throw to first base. It's also the leg that you're going to "load up" on when you make your pitch to the batter. By coming set 60/40, you're weight is already shifted into position.

I'm also big advocate of using JUST ONE PICKOFF MOVE, ALL THE TIME. I know there are plenty of baseball coaches out there who teach their right handers to use pickoff moves of varying speeds, in order to "trick" the runner. (You know the scenario, right? You do a "slow" move first to "lure" the runner farther off the bag, in order to use your "fast" move in the hopes of catching him off guard.)

But remember: the "pickoff move" for a right hander is NOT actually meant to pick off the runner. It's meant to keep him from leaning or walking toward the lead bag. Your goal simply is to make him stop. So, USE YOUR BEST MOVE, ALL THE TIME. And make it quick by using jump pivot.

As you jump pivot, keep your feet close. Pretend you have a 12-inch stick between your feet that you have to take with you when you jump pivot. Don't separate your feet wider than that imaginary stick, as it'll slow you down.

The rules say you must "gain ground" toward the base you're throwing to, but I used to cheat by jump pivoting in the same place, keeping the pitcher's rubber directly underneath my body. Most umps don't check. And if you follow your throw by walking off the mound, you can "hide" where you stepped. This may shave off only a fraction of a second from your time to first base – but every second counts. (Note: this is harder to get away with in pro ball than it is in college ball.)

Remember, you can't "fake" a throw to first base without stepping behind the rubber before doing so. But something that's equally effective as throwing the ball over to first base with a quick move is NOT throwing the baseball at all. You can use this move to peek if a runner is giving any indication that he may be stealing on the next pitch.

This is where varying holds and looks come in. I used to utilize 1, 3, and 5 second holds. I'd vary them with runners on base. Sometimes, I'd hold the ball for 5 seconds, quickly step back off the mound, and then peek over to see which direction the runner was leaning. This is how to see if the runner's cheating on you toward the lead bag. But you really have to sell it. Be deliberate. Hold the baseball for five seconds and step back hard. If you see him leaning toward the lead bag, throw over. The key is to make the runner STOP. You must make him stop on both feet.

On throws to first base, make a good hard throw and aim for the first baseman's knee on the inside part of the bag, so he can make a quick tag. The inside part of the bag is where the runner will be diving back. So that's where you should put the baseball. Don't throw it high or wide, making your first baseman have to lean in one direction only to have to switch directions to make a tag. The better you become at making good strong throws to your first baseman's inside knee, the better chance you have at picking someone off – not that that's your goal, remember? :-)

How to teach a left-handed pickoff move to first base

I wasn't a left-handed pitcher, but I learned how to teach the left-handed pickoff move in professional baseball, mostly from my good friend Carmen Pignatiello, a Chicago Cubs left-handed reliever.

When it comes to the left-handed pickoff move, most umpires are looking at an imaginary line on a 45-degree angle from the left corner of the pitcher's rubber. If the left hander steps to the left of the line, a balk is called. But many lefties can get away with cheating a little if after the right foot hits the ground, they immediately step and walk toward first base. You want to step, throw, and walk off the mound. Do not give the umpire enough time to look at where you step (which is why you'll want to walk off the mound toward first base).

The key to having a successful left-handed move is to decide whether or not you're going to throw to first base BEFORE you actually come set. This way, you can avoid balking. Only in rare instances, say, if the base runner "tips off" that he might be going on the pitch of if he takes a very large lead should you break the rule and throw over to the bag. But mostly, keep it simple: decide early.

If you can retain your balance until the last moment without bringing your lift knee back past your posting knee, the base runner will have a difficult time reading your move. That's because by lifting your leg straight up in a balanced manner, you don't "project" what you're going to do next – you could be delivering the baseball to home plate or you could be making a throw over to the bag. This will help keep the runner close to the base. Once you cross your knees, however, you have to go home with the pitch. So try to bring your lift knee straight up and down, not side to side.

If you have a deceptive move, I think it's OK to sacrifice "quickness" in your delivery in getting the ball to the plate. If you don't have a deceptive move, it's important to get the ball to home plate in 1.3 seconds or less, just like a right-handed pitcher. Remember: holding runners is important, but getting the hitter out is most important – even for lefties. So be quick to the plate if you don't have a good move.

Avoid tipping off your "intent" by moving your head. Most base runners know that if you are looking at the runner when you start your motion, you're going to the plate. They also know that if you're looking at home plate when you start your delivery, you're likely going to make a throw over to the bag. Work hard on relaxing out there on the mound. Don't be predictable. Use the same head movement all the time.

Some coaches like to teach two and three pickoffs to a base – usually a slow move, a medium-speed move, and a "best" move. I'm not a big fan of this. I teach all my pitchers to use just one move – their best move. HOWEVER, I do think that lefties can utilize a quick "step back" off the rubber with the left foot and throw over to the bag, to keep the runner from cheating. I wouldn't rely on this move as your main pickoff, because it can be stressful on the arm, but it's OK to use it every so often.

Perhaps the best way to work on your move is to practice it in front of a full-length mirror without throwing. This way you can work on the mechanics of the move and train your body to be balanced and deceptive without stressing your arm. Then when you get it to a point where you're feeling comfortable with it, have a friend or sibling stand on first base and yell out whether you're going home or making a throw to first base. Try to get to where the person on first base can't tell which direction you're going. Then you know you've got a great left-handed pickoff move!

I'll address the right-handed pickoff move in tomorrow's pitching article.