Hitting For Excellence - Baseball Hitting Instruction, Batting Instruction!

Gives the pickoff sign to the pitcher and make sure that he gives you an answer. If he doesn't, give you an answer, call time out and go in and tell him to watch you. With a RHP, make sure he comes set, then when the shortstop fakes a move to second base, go to the base to receive the throw from the pitcher. REMEMBER, you have to set this play up by faking the runner often. With a LHP, you must time the pitcher's move so that when he lifts his leg, you break and cover the base for a pickoff attempt. It is important to know how quick the pitcher is to 1B so that you know how far to cheat. Alert the SHORTSTOP that there is a pickoff play so he will fake at second base.

PITCHER

Gets the sign from the first baseman and makes sure to answer. If you are right handed, wait for the shortstop to give a good fake to second base to make the third base coach yell back, then turn and throw a chest high throw to the first baseman. Make it look like you are looking for a pickoff attempt at second base, then go to first base. If you are left handed, then put your very best move to first base on, and the first baseman will react to it. If you are going to use the step-off move, the first baseman has to know in order to cheat.

SHORTSTOP

When the pitcher comes set, make a good fake to second base where you go right to the base, forcing the third base coach to yell "back". Make the offensive team think that there is a pickoff attempt taking place at second base. Get sign from first baseman.

PITCHER:

Covers home plate.

CATCHER:

Retrieves the ball.

FIRST BASEMAN:

Backs up the plate.

SECOND BASEMAN:

Covers second base.

SHORTSTOP:

Backs up behind the mound.

THIRD BASEMAN:

Cover third.

ALL OUTFIELDERS:

Move toward the infield area to help where needed.