University of Northwestern Baseball Pickoff Plays

1. University of Northwestern Baseball Pickoff Plays

2. Signs • 1st Base Picks • 2nd Base Picks

3. First Base Pick: Regular

4. Pitcher The pitcher comes to a balanced set point, turns and throws to 1st base • Catcher Cover Home • 1st Base Holds the runner on 1st base • 2nd base Backs up 1st base in foul territory • 3rd Base Covers 3rd • Shortstop Covers 2nd • Left Field Backs up 3rd Base • Center Field Backs up 2nd Base • Right Field Backs up 1st Base in foul territory

5. First Base Pick: 1st Base Back Door

6. Pitcher: After delivering the pitch, charge toward the 1st base line or throws the ball out of the strike zone outside • Catcher: After catching the ball, look to throw to the first baseman covering 1st • 1st Base: On the pitch, moves three steps to his right and breaks hard for the bag as the catcher comes up throwing to 1st • 2nd Base: Cover 2nd • 3rd Base: Charge the infield to receive a bunt • Shortstop: Cover 3rd • Left Field: Back up 3rd base • Center Field: Back up 2nd base • Right Field: Back up 1st Base Line

7. First Base Pick: First Base Charge Pick

8. Pitcher: After the pitcher releases the ball, he will charge forward as preparing to field the bunt • Catcher: Catch ball to right side of the body, if possible, and throw back to 1st • 1st Base: Charge 2-3 steps toward home and step back toward 1st to accept the throw • 2nd Base: Cover 2nd • 3rd Base: Charge the plate • Shortstop: Cover 3rd • Left Field: Back up 3rd • Center Field: Back up 2nd • Right Field: Back up 1st base line

9. First Base Pick: 2nd Base Back Door

10. Pitcher Deliver the ball to the plate and be ready to move forward off the mound • Catcher Catch ball and be ready to throw the ball to the 2nd baseman covering 1st • 1st Base Charge toward home as to field a bunt • 2nd Base Charge to 1st base behind the base runner and cover the 1st base bag • 3rd Base Charge toward home as to field a bunt, the retreat back to cover 3rd base • Shortstop Cover 2nd base • Left Field Back up 3rd base • Center Field Back up 2nd base • Right Field Back up 1st base line

11. First Base Pick (for LHP): 2B Charge Pick

12. Pitcher Comes to his set position and as he sees the 2nd baseman charge toward the plate, he goes into his move and throws the ball to 1st as the 2nd baseman runs past a straight line between the pitcher’s rubber and 1st base bag • Catcher Catch the ball if the pitcher throw to the plate • 1st Base As the pitcher lifts his leg to throw, the 1st baseman moves to cover the bag • 2nd Base As the pitcher comes to his set position, the shortstop hits his glove and the 2nd baseman charges toward the plate to field a bunt • 3rd Base Moves toward home as to field a bunt • Shortstop As he slaps his glove, he sprints to cover 3rd base. The shortstop must make it obvious that he will be at 3rd before the base runner at 2nd base can run to 3rd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st Base Line

13. First Base Pick (For LHP): Back Door Pick

14. Pitcher The pitcher is in the stretch and goes into a high leg kick and throws to 1st • Catcher Catches the ball if the pitcher throws tot the plate • 1st Base Plays off the base and moves toward 1st base as the pitcher raises his leg • 2nd Base Backs up 2nd • 3rd Base Covers 3rd • Shortstop Covers 2nd • Left Field Backs up 3rd • Center Field Backs up 2nd • Right Field Backs up 1st base line

15. First Base Pick: Right Field Back Door Pick

16. Pitcher Delivers the pitch to the outside portion of the plate, the pitcher does NOT throw a strike on this pitch • Catcher Catches the ball and looks to throw the ball to 1st • 1st Base As the pitcher comes to his set, charge toward the plate on the shortstop’s glove slap • 2nd Base Cover 2nd • 3rd Base Charge toward the plate on the shortstop’s glove slap • Shortstop Cover 3rd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 1st base line • Right Field Cover 1st base and be ready to take the throw from the catcher

17. First Base Pick: Wild Throw Pick

18. Pitcher The pitcher must step off the rubber and fake the throw to 1st base • Catcher The catcher alerts that the fake “throw’ got past the first baseman • 1st Base He must sweep the ground and act as if the “wild” throw got past him and runs into foul territory • 2nd Base Runs into foul territory to retrieve the “wild” throw • 3rd Base Covers 3rd • Shortstop Covers 2nd and prepares to take the throw • Left Field Backs up 3rd • Center Field Backs up 2nd • Right Field Runs to field the “wild” throw in the foul territory

19. Second Base Pick: Quick Pick

20. Pitcher As the pitcher catches the ball from the catcher, he looks to the shortstop or 2nd baseman and sees the shortstop/2nd baseman go to the cap. The pitcher goes to the set, looks home, counts 1,001, turns and throws to 2nd base • Catcher Cover Plate • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base If he gives the sign, after the pitcher looks home, count 1,001 and break for 2nd • 3rd Base Cover 3rd and be ready for a rundown • Shortstop If he gives the sign, after the pitcher looks home, count 1,001 and break for 2nd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

21. Second Base Pick: Sound Pick

22. Pitcher As the pitcher catches the ball from the catcher, he looks to the shortstop or 2nd baseman and sees the shortstop/2nd baseman go to his mouth. The pitcher goes to the set, looks home, listens for the shortstop’s glove slap, turns and throws to 2nd base • Catcher Cover Plate • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base If he gives the sign, after the pitcher looks home, listen for the glove slap from the shortstop and break for 2nd • 3rd Base Cover 3rd and be ready for a rundown • Shortstop If he gives the sign, after the pitcher looks home, slap glove and break for 2nd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

23. Second Base Pick: Slow Pick

24. Pitcher As the pitcher catches the ball from the catcher, he looks to the shortstop or 2nd baseman and sees the shortstop/2nd baseman go to the jersey. The pitcher goes to the set, Lifts front leg as to go home with the pitch and turns toward 2nd base • Catcher Cover Plate • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base If he gives the sign, after the pitcher looks home, as the pitcher lifts his leg break for 2nd. If he does not give the sign, move away from 2nd • 3rd Base Cover 3rd and be ready for a rundown • Shortstop If he gives the sign, after the pitcher looks home, as the pitcher lifts his leg, break for 2nd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

25. Second Base Pick: Daylight Pick

26. Pitcher As the pitcher catches the ball from the catcher, he looks to the shortstop or 2nd baseman and sees the shortstop/2nd baseman give an open glove/hand. The pitcher goes to the set, looks at 2nd and sees daylight between the base runner and the infielder. At that point the pitcher throws to 2nd base • Catcher Cover Plate • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base If he gives the sign, after the pitcher looks break for 2nd and be ready to receive a throw – if no throw is made, call step off to the pitcher • 3rd Base Cover 3rd and be ready for a rundown • Shortstop If he gives the sign, after the pitcher looks break for 2nd and be ready to receive a throw – if no throw is made, call step off to the pitcher • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

27. Second Base Pick: Catcher Glove Drop Pick

28. Pitcher Delivers pitch to the plate and acts as if he is going to catch the throw back from the catcher • Catcher Throw the ball hard to the pitcher just above the height of his glove side shoulder • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base Be prepared to back up in a rundown • 3rd Base Cover 3rd and be ready for a rundown • Shortstop Move to 2nd base behind the base runner and cover 2nd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

29. Second Base Pick: Catcher Pick

30. Pitcher Looks to the plate and throws to 2nd base when the catcher drops his glove • Catcher Looks for the shortstop to break to 2nd base and then drops his glove • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base Hold at 2nd and before the pitcher comes to the set, break away from the bag • 3rd Base Cover 3rd and be ready for a rundown • Shortstop When the pitcher comes set, count 1,001 and break for 2nd base • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

31. Second Base Pick: Fire Drill Pick

32. Pitcher The pitcher goes to the set, listens for the slap of the shortstops’ glove, lifts front leg as to go home with the pitch and turns toward 2nd base • Catcher Cover Plate • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base On the glove slap, he moves to cover 3rd base • 3rd Base On the glove slap, count 1,001 and rush for the plate • Shortstop As the pitcher lifts his leg, break for 2nd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

33. Second Base Pick: Center Field Wild Throw Pick

34. Pitcher The pitcher quick pick’s to 2nd base, but throws the ball over the middle infielder’s head • Catcher Cover the plate • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base Back up 2nd • 3rd Base Cover 3rd • Shortstop Cover 2nd and be ready for a throw back from center • Left Field Back up Center Field • Center Field As the pitcher comes to the set, run hard toward the pitcher and be ready for a bad throw. Do not let anything past • Right Field Back up Center Field

35. Third Base Pick: 3rd Base Charge Pick

36. Pitcher Deliver the pitch to the plate • Catcher Catch the ball and throw the ball to the inside of the bag at the height of the base runner’s head • 1st Base Charge to the plate • 2nd Base Cover 2nd • 3rd Base Charge 3 steps toward home and retreat to the bag and be ready for the throw from the catcher • Shortstop Back up 3rd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

37. Third Base Pick: Back Door Pick

38. Pitcher The pitcher comes to the set lifts his leg and throws to 1st – similar to LHP pick to 1st • Catcher Cover Home • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base Back up 2nd • 3rd Base Play off the bag, as the pitcher lifts his leg, creep in and be ready for a throw • Shortstop Cover 2nd • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

39. Third Base Pick: Shortstop Back Door Pick

40. Pitcher The pitcher goes into slow pick to 3rd – similar to LHP move to 1st • Catcher Cover Home • 1st Base Charge toward Home • 2nd Base Cover 2nd • 3rd Base Charge on the slap of the glove • Shortstop Slap the glove to get the 3rd baseman 1/3 the way to the plate, move to cover 3rd and be ready for a throw • Left Field Back up 3rd in foul territory • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

41. First Base Pick: Catcher Glove Drop

42. Pitcher Comes to the set and looks at home plate waiting for the pitcher to drop his glove • Catcher Look for the 1st baseman to break behind the base runner at 1st • 1st Base Play behind the runner at 1st. Wait for the pitcher to come to the set, count 1,001 and break for the bag • 2nd Base Move to 2nd to prepare for a rundown • 3rd Base Cover 3rd • Shortstop Back up 2nd base • Left Field Back up 3rd • Center Field Back up 2nd • Right Field Back up 1st

43. Phantom Double Play

44. Pitcher The pitcher MUST as if the ball is hit on the ground and calls for the ball to go to 2nd • Catcher Cover Home • 1st Base Cover 1st • 2nd Base No matter where the ball is hit – act as if you caught the ball and are adjusting your feet to throw the ball to 2nd • 3rd Base Cover 3rd • Shortstop Cover behind 2nd base and call for the ball (mine-mine- mine – flip-flip-flip) • Left Field Back up 3rd or go get the ball • Center Field Back up 2nd or go get the ball • Right Field Back up 1st or go get the ball