How To Hold Runners On Base

Learning how to hold runners on base is an essential component of the game for pitchers, since they do not want to allow runners to advance to free bases. The fact that their back is turned to the runner makes this task more difficult, in my opinion, for right-handed throwers. This disadvantage can be overcome.  The ability of a pitcher to successfully detain runners can be achieved in a variety of ways.

1) Mixing up their pick off move

  - Pick off when they are set

  - Pick off when they are coming set 

  - Pick off when they are getting the sign from the catcher

2) Changing their arm strokes when they pick off

  - Use a long arm stroke with quick feet

  - Use a short arm delivery with quick feet, therefore both moves look the same but the short arm stroke is much faster

3) Change delivery to home

  - Use a slide step (which is the quickest way to deliver a pitch home)

  - Use a modified slide step ( bring left knee in towards your right knee before you pitch, this gives your arm a little more time to catch up with your body) some pitching coaches use the term "knee to knee"

4) Change the Rhythm of the Game

  - Hold the ball for a count of 3 4 or 5 seconds then pitch or pick off

  - Quick pitch as soon as you get set pitch the ball 

  - Get set and hold the ball until the batter or runner calls time out

  *** These strategies are used so that the runner never gets comfortable in his lead and he will not get a good jump off of the pitcher

For the lefties the most important thing is to keep your delivery to home and your pick off looking the same for as long as possible. Some lefties tend to lean toward first when they pick off, some lefties only pick off when they are looking home and vise versa. For left handed pitchers to be effective holding and picking off runners they have to vary their times to home plate and use their head movements in ways to deceive the runner. The most important thing in a lefties pick off is his right leg, if the right leg comes strait at the runner  then the runner will retreat. If the right leg looks like its going home then the runner will steal or take his secondary lead and you can throw behind him. The speed and the angle will fool the runner but make sure you disengage from the rubber as soon as you pick off because the coaches will try to get a balk called.