Pickoff attempt on runner (in red) at first base

A pickoff is an act by a pitcher, throwing a live ball to a fielder so that the fielder would tag out a baserunner who is either leading off or about to begin stealing the next base. A pickoff attempt occurs when this throw is made in an attempt to make such an out or, more commonly, to "keep the runner close" by making it clear that the pitcher is aware and concerned with the runner's actions. A catcher may also attempt to throw runners out who likewise "stray too far" from their bases after a pitch; this can also be called a pickoff attempt. Caption: 040229-N-8629D-070 USA Stadium, Millington, Tenn. ... Caption: 040229-N-8629D-070 USA Stadium, Millington, Tenn. ... In baseball, when the ball is alive (or in play), the game can proceed. ... Fielding in the sport of cricket is what fielders do to collect the ball when it is struck by the batsman in such a way as to either limit the number of runs that the batsman scores or get the batsman out by catching the ball or running the batsman... In baseball a tag out, sometimes just called a tag, is a play in which a baserunner is out because he is touched by the fielders hand holding a live ball while the runner is in jeopardy. ... In baseball, baserunning is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat. ... The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1985 In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate. ...

A pickoff move is the motion the pitcher goes through in making this attempt; some pitchers have better pickoff moves than others. Pitchers in professional baseball use the pickoff move often, perhaps several times per game or even per inning if speedy baserunners reach base. In lower-skilled amateur games, the pickoff move is less common due to the potential for an error if the pitcher throws wild or the fielder fails to make the catch. In youth leagues that don't allow leading off, such as Little League and Cal Ripken League, the need for a pickoff move is eliminated. An innings, or inning, is a segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably baseball and cricket – during which a side takes its turn to bat. ... In baseball, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or runner to reach one or more additional bases, on a play that would normally be completed successfully with ordinary effort. ... Little League is the name of a non-profit organization in the United States which organizes local childrens leagues of baseball and softball throughout the USA and the rest of the world. ...

Technique

A pitcher uses many tactics to attempt to disguise whether he is going to begin a pitch or a pickoff attempt. However, some deceptive actions are illegal and may be called balks. In baseball, a pitcher may commit a number of illegal motions or actions which constitute a balk. ...

When there is a baserunner on, the pitcher will pitch from the set, one of the pitching positions. For this example we will say the runner is on first base. From the set position the pitcher can still see the baserunner out of the corner of his eye, if it is a right handed pitcher. If it is a left handed pitcher then the pitcher has a clear view of the baserunner because of the way they are standing on the pitcher's mound. If it is a right-handed pitcher there is only one main method of this pickoff move. This involves a quick shuffle of the pitcher's feet to turn towards first base and throw the ball to the first baseman. The first baseman will then attempt to tag out the runner. The left handed pitcher, due to their natural stance and the way they are facing, has multiple moves. The two main methods are called the "snap throw" and "spin move". The snap throw is when the pitcher quickly lifts his back foot behind the pitching rubber and slings the ball to the first baseman. The spin move is when the pitcher lifts his leg like he is going to pitch the ball but then rotates his body toward first and throws the ball. The pitcher will try to vary this move by doing this move while looking at the runner or at the batter, which can be deceiving to the baserunner. The final pickoff move can be done by any pitcher called "third to first" and can only be done is there are baserunners on first and third. This move is very uncommon and not very useful but it's performed by the pitcher attempting to pickoff a baserunner at third, stop, spin and throw the ball to first base instead. In baseball, there are two legal pitching positions, the windup, and the set. ... The pitcher moves forward off the rubber as the pitch is released. ...

Purpose

There are a few reasons to resort to this tactic:

1. The obvious reason is to hope the runner is not paying attention or is attempting a stolen base. Sometimes the runner will be running on the first move of the pitcher and if the pitcher throws the ball to first then they will be able to try to get the baserunner caught stealing by tagging him out.
2. Another reason is to try to stop a fast runner from stealing. If a fast baserunner is getting a big lead off the base the pitcher will throw over a few times to try to get the baserunner to shorten his lead. After enough throws the runner will often either cut his lead down or sometimes be too tired from diving back to even attempt a stolen base.
3. Finally a pickoff is good for trying to see if the other team will give up their current strategy--this is the common use for the "third to first" move. What is meant by this is, for example, if there is a bunt situation the pitcher will attempt a pickoff move. What happens is that the batter will usually square around to bunt on the pitcher's first move. So when the pitcher throws the ball to first base the batter might start to show bunt, thus giving away the current strategy.

The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1985 In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate. ... TAG may stand for: Tag, German for day Techniques dAvant Garde, an investment company that sponsored WilliamsF1 in the early 1980s and funded the construction of turbocharged Porsche engines to Team McLaren in the mid 1980s. ... A bunt is a special type of offensive technique in baseball or fastpitch softball. ...

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pickoff move is a very effective and essential part to a pitcher's game plan. While not directly correlated, a pitcher with a great pickoff move can often lead to a pitcher's success. When the pitcher has a good pickoff move they are able to control the other team's running game to an extent. If a team that relies on speed and stolen bases is not able to incorporate that into their game play like they are capable of, the pitcher is at an advantage.