University of Northwestern Baseball Pickoff Plays Signs 1

University of Northwestern Baseball Pickoff Plays

Signs • 1 st Base Picks • 2 nd Base Picks

First Base Pick: Regular

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

First Base Pick: 1 st Base Back Door

• Pitcher: After delivering the pitch, charge toward the 1 st 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 1 st • 1 st Base: • 2 nd Base: On the pitch, moves three steps to his right and breaks hard for the bag as the catcher comes up throwing to 1 st Cover 2 nd • 3 rd Base: Charge the infield to receive a bunt • Shortstop: Cover 3 rd • Left Field: Back up 3 rd base • Center Field: Back up 2 nd base • Right Field: Back up 1 st Base Line

First Base Pick: First Base Charge Pick

• 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 1 st • 1 st Base: Charge 2 -3 steps toward home and step back toward 1 st to accept the throw • 2 nd Base: Cover 2 nd • 3 rd Base: Charge the plate • Shortstop: Cover 3 rd • Left Field: Back up 3 rd • Center Field: Back up 2 nd • Right Field: Back up 1 st base line

First Base Pick: 2 nd Base Back Door

• 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 2 nd baseman covering 1 st • 1 st Base Charge toward home as to field a bunt • 2 nd Base Charge to 1 st base behind the base runner and cover the 1 st base bag • 3 rd Base Charge toward home as to field a bunt, the retreat back to cover 3 rd base • Shortstop Cover 2 nd base • Left Field Back up 3 rd base • Center Field Back up 2 nd base • Right Field Back up 1 st base line

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

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

First Base Pick (For LHP): Back Door Pick

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

First Base Pick: Right Field Back Door Pick

• 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 1 st As the pitcher comes to his set, charge toward the plate on the shortstop’s glove slap • 1 st Base • 2 nd Base Cover 2 nd • 3 rd Base Charge toward the plate on the shortstop’s glove slap • Shortstop Cover 3 rd • Left Field Back up 3 rd • Center Field Back up 1 st base line • Right Field Cover 1 st base and be ready to take throw from the catcher

First Base Pick: Wild Throw Pick

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

Second Base Pick: Quick Pick

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

Second Base Pick: Sound Pick

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

Second Base Pick: Slow Pick

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

Second Base Pick: Daylight Pick

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

Second Base Pick: Catcher Glove Drop Pick

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

Second Base Pick: Catcher Pick

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

Second Base Pick: Fire Drill Pick

• 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 2 nd base • Catcher Cover Plate • 1 st Base Cover 1 st • 2 nd Base On the glove slap, he moves to cover 3 rd base • 3 rd Base On the glove slap, count 1, 001 and rush for the plate • Shortstop As the pitcher lifts his leg, break for 2 nd • Left Field Back up 3 rd • Center Field Back up 2 nd • Right Field Back up 1 st

Second Base Pick: Center Field Wild Throw Pick

• Pitcher The pitcher quick pick’s to 2 nd base, but throws the ball over the middle infielder’s head • Catcher Cover the plate • 1 st Base Cover 1 st • 2 nd Base Back up 2 nd • 3 rd Base Cover 3 rd • Shortstop Cover 2 nd 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

Third Base Pick: 3 rd Base Charge Pick

• 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 • 1 st Base Charge to the plate • 2 nd Base Cover 2 nd • 3 rd Base Charge 3 steps toward home and retreat to the bag and be ready for the throw from the catcher • Shortstop Back up 3 rd • Left Field Back up 3 rd • Center Field Back up 2 nd • Right Field Back up 1 st

Third Base Pick: Back Door Pick

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

Third Base Pick: Shortstop Back Door Pick

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

First Base Pick: Catcher Glove Drop

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

Phantom Double Play

• Pitcher The pitcher MUST as if the ball is hit on the ground and calls for the ball to go to 2 nd • Catcher Cover Home • 1 st Base Cover 1 st • 2 nd 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 2 nd • 3 rd Base Cover 3 rd • Shortstop Cover behind 2 nd base and call for the ball (mine-mine – flip-flip) • Left Field Back up 3 rd or go get the ball • Center Field Back up 2 nd or go get the ball • Right Field Back up 1 st or go get the ball