By Ricci Woodard, In my current head coaching
position at Southwest Texas State University, I put a tremendous
amount of responsibility on my catchers to control the game through
knowledge and confidence in their decisions behind the plate. I feel
the many years I spent as an All-American catcher at Louisiana Tech
and with the Raybestos Brakettes have provided me with keen insight
into the catcher position. Below, I outline strategies and key
elements to use to teach your catcher how to execute an effective
pick-off play.
Strategies of the Pick-Off Play:
1. The element of surprise! In
order to gain an advantage against the runner, don't throw to the
bases a lot. Carefully pick and choose when to use the pick-off
move.
2. Only call a pitch-out for a
pick-off when you are ahead in the count (0-1,0-2, 1-2). This will
not put your pitcher in a bad situation to have to battle out of.
3. Pitching out for a pick-off
can help you and your team be more efficient. At least 90 percent of
the time a pick-off should happen from a pitch out.
4. Trust your instincts as a
coach and teach your catcher to trust hers. When calling a pick-off,
it is often based on a gut feeling.
5. Know the tendencies of the
opposing coaches: Are they aggressive or conservative. Do they have
their base runners steal when the batter is ahead or behind in the
count? Do their base runners take aggressive leadoffs or
conservative ones? (Watch what the runner does after the ball has
been caught by the catcher, i.e. dropping her head, walking back to
the base, etc.)
6. Watch the first base coach.
Observe what he/she does when a runner gets on first or second. Is
he/she watching the catcher or the positioning of the infielders?
7. Make sure your entire defense
is clear on their positioning during a pick-off play relative to the
game situation.
For example:
Runner at first base with no outs -
second baseman takes the throw.
Runner at first base with one out - first
baseman takes the throw.
Runner at first base with two outs -
first baseman takes the throw.
Runner at second base - we don't throw
down to second.
Runner at third base with no outs -
shortstop takes the throw.
Runner at third base with one out -
shortstop takes the throw.
Runner at third base with two outs -
third baseman takes the throw.
Key Times to use the Pick-Off Play:
1. Bunt situation when the
pitcher is ahead in the count. In these situations, base runners
like to get a few steps ahead so they can be safe at the next base.
2. Following a strike out where
the batter swings, with less than two outs. In this situation, the
base runner sees the batter start her swing and wants to get a good
jump toward the next bag.
3. Late in the game and you need
a big out. If the catcher has not used a pick-off move but both you
and the catcher have been observing certain runners that are taking
big leads.
4. On the first pitch of a first
and third situation, pitch out and snap throw to third to see what
the runners might be doing.
5. When playing a team that is
very aggressive on the bases, after the first batter gets on, throw
a pitch out on the first pitch for a pick-off to establish that you
are aware their aggression on the bases.
6. Many coaches with two outs,
runner on first, leadoff hitter at the plate, behind in the count,
will steal in order to leadoff the next inning with that hitter.
Each of these principles will be executed to
varying degrees depending upon the skill level of your catcher.
Remember that the strength of your team lies in the mental toughness
and confidence your catcher displays behind the plate.
