How to Pick a Runner Off Second Base

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 One of the trickiest things in baseball is picking guys off bases. None are more intricate than attempting a pick-off play at second base due to the base’s location in relation to the pitcher, as well as the location of the defenders.

It takes well-timed execution to successfully pick a runner off second base.

Picking a runner off second base in theory

The goal in picking a runner off is trying to catch a runner overextended, and the hope is to. He usually has a base coach keeping him informed on where the defender is so you have to be a little sneaky.

You also need a quick spin from the pitcher with a perfectly timed throw and the defender’s arrival or an inside move to bait the runner into moving away from the base.

1.Timing

Timing is everything here. If the defender moves too early, the baserunner will be tipped off by the sound of movement or the base coach letting him know.

If the pitcher spins too early, the defender will not be there to catch the ball. A well executed pick off play will have the pitcher and defender making their move at the same time, and the defender and ball arriving at second base at the same time. 

2.The art of deception by the defender

You want to move in an unpredictable manner before you decide to do the pickoff play. Ideally your movement for a pickoff, or during the absence of a pick play, will basically look the same so as not to tip off the baserunner or coaches.

There is an art of deception here that is important not to overlook. If you stay a little close to the runner and “deek” him with a shuffle and glove pop it will keep you looking normal for when you want to break to the bag for a pick.

3.The defender breaks to the bag for the pick

When the defender breaks to the bag for the pick, the runner will rapidly break back to second so the timing with the pitcher needs to be on point so the ball arrives before the runner. There’s different ways to go about this but the most effective is the “daylight” pick.

It’s called daylight because the defender flashes his glove to indicate he wants the pick, and as soon as the pitcher sees “daylight” between the glove and the baserunner (which should be immediately or you’re flashing the glove too early) he spins and makes the throw. 

4.The pitcher sees daylight and spins to make the throw

When the pitcher sees an open glove and decides to spin and throw to second is probably the hardest part about executing a pick to second base.

This is because the pitcher has to make a blind 180 degree turn and throw the ball to a specific spot so the defender can catch the ball and apply the tag.

Practice makes perfect here. It is not easy to make this spin and throw the ball where you want it to go, but over time it will become second nature.

5.The defender stops at the bag and is positioned to receive the ball 

There is an art in doing this as a defender. Not only does the timing need to be on point, you need to position yourself properly so you can catch the ball, apply the tag, but you can also make it difficult for the runner to reach the base.

This is a little hack for picks at second if you’re a defender. If you, the ball, and the baserunner are all getting to second base around the same time it’s going to be hard for the umpire to absorb everything that is happening. 

Passive “obstruction” that rarely gets called

I call it passive obstruction because you’re not actively blocking the bag, but you’re also not NOT blocking the bag. If you position yourself between the baserunner and the base, it is difficult for the runner to reach the bag.

If you’re in this place just as the ball is getting there it seems as though you’re making a play on the ball, and not actually obstructing the baserunner.

However, if done properly you can receive the ball, be in the way, and place the tag on a runner who has no business being picked off the base. It’s competitive art at its finest in my opinion.

I had a game in my high school career where I actually put my leg down, blocked the runner from reaching the bag as he dove back, and slapped the tag on him for an out. We did this twice in a huge game and neither time did I get called for obstruction. 

6. Delivering the ball from a pitcher’s standpoint

As a pitcher, you want to put the ball where it’s easiest to apply the tag. Generally speaking, this is going to be about knee height on the third base side of second base. As previously stated, it takes some practice to be able to spin rapidly, find the base, and make a perfect throw.

Oftentimes near perfect throws are required to catch a runner on a pick-off because the margin is so small. You may only have a tenth of a second or so to catch and apply the tag so the ball has to be just in the right spot most times.  

Summary

In summary, the art to picking a runner off second base is intricate and is another reason why pitching is one of the hardest positions in baseball to play.. Timing, art of deception, and a little bit of finesse can be required to successfully capture an out on a back pick at second.

It is, however, one of the most fun plays to make in my opinion and when you get good at it, can be quite fun between a middle infielder and a pitcher. It’s also great fun to practice and can easily turn into pickle drills for the defense and baserunners which are also a good time.