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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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