Holding the runners on base.

Having explored the basic philosophy and principles of holding runners on base (in my article last month), I'd now like to analyze the actual mechanics of the basic moves.

HOLDING A RUNNER ON FIRST BASE, RIGHT HAND PITCHER

The objective is to get the ball over to the bag as quickly - rather than as hard - as possible. Many pitchers reach down and back to put some mustard on the ball. This is a mistake. The extra time it takes to execute the long arm arc will usually allow the runner to get back to the base rather easily.

The initial arm movement should be up and in close to the body, with the arm never going down below the waist or extending back. It is a snap throw that should be made with a short-arm arc and a lot of forearm action.

The step to first with the left foot should be rather short (to be quicker), but it doesn't have to be directly toward the base. A step a little off of a direct line between the mound and first base is quicker to execute and won't be called a balk, unless it is flagrant.

The pitcher should not step or pull his body around too far to the left, as this will retard his release and sometimes pull the throw into the runner.

Many pitchers try to make a perfect throw on the pick-off. They try to hit the corner of the base, just a few inches off the ground. A perfect throw will often catch the runner sliding back right into the ball.

Unfortunately, the margin of error is too great. An overly low throw will hit the dirt, while a throw a few inches up the line (toward second) will hit the runner.

We want our pitchers to put the ball between the first baseman's waist and knee, and rely on the first baseman's quickness to make the tag.

How many times have you heard a TV announcer exclaim after a close play on a pickoff attempt: "Boy, a perfect throw would have picked him off!" It's true, but a less than perfect throw might also have ended up in the right-field bullpen!

HOLDING A RUNNER ON FIRST BASE, LEFT HAND PITCHER

A real quick move by a left-handed pitcher may catch the runner flat-looted, but a move that starts more slowly will usually catch the baserunner leaning toward second or into his secondary lead, resulting in an easy pick-off.

Since the left-hander's move is based on deception, it has to be slower than the right-hander's move. Caution: The move cannot be too slow, as this could allow a runner who is breaking on the pitcher's first move to steal second before the first baseman can get the ball down to the bag.

The key for the left-hander is to stay consistent - always look the same whether going to first or to the plate. Any time the pitcher can look the same right up until his stride leg almost reaches its highest point, he will force the runner to wait before breaking for second on a steal attempt. That obviously should give the catcher a good chance to nail him.

The left-hander should start his initial movement fairly slowly and then quicken as he begins to move toward first base or the plate. When throwing to first, he must use a sidearm motion to accent the deception and be quicker.

Question: Should the left-hander have a set routine or a varied routine?

Most southpaws will do the same thing at the beginning of every pitch - either to the plate or to first base. He may look at the runner, look at the plate, begin the leg lift, and then throw to first base or pitch to the plate.

Other left-hand pitchers will look at the runner one time and pitch to the plate, and the next time perhaps look at the plate and then pitch to the plate.

The main problem with varying the action is that the pitcher may get into a pattern the runner can identify.

Left-handers also have to be careful not to keep looking at the runner as they begin the pitching motion. It may make them late in getting their head turned to the plate, preventing them from concentrating on the target before releasing the ball.

This will obviously affect their control and effectiveness - which must be the main concern. The famous left-hander's "balk move" may take some time to master, but once mastered it can become a superlative weapon against the baserunner.

The progression is as follows:

1. Develop the pitcher's consistency in his mechanics from the set position to the plate. You (coach) can stand near the first-base foul line to observe the consistency of the set-delivery and make sure there is no obvious deviation.

2. Place a fielder on the foul line halfway between the plate and first base, and have the pitcher step directly toward that person and throw to him, making sure the pitcher uses exactly the same motions as he does in pitching to the plate.

Again, take up a position near the first-base line to check the pitcher's actions in pitching to the plate and in throwing to the fielder at the halfway point. The movements must be consistent!

3. Place the first baseman on the foul line about 20 feet from first base, and have the pitcher alternate between stepping toward the plate and pitching, stepping toward the half-way position and throwing there, and stepping toward the half-way position and throwing to the first baseman 20 feet from the base.

4. Move the first baseman to first base and have the pitcher alternate between (a) stepping toward the plate and pitching, (b) stepping toward the half-way point and throwing there, and (c) stepping toward the half-way point and throwing to first base.

Continued practice will enable the pitcher to deliver to the plate or throw to first base with exactly the same mechanics from the start of the leg lift until its highest point. It will make him very effective in holding runners close to first base.

BACK-OFF AND FLIP:

Many left-hand pitchers are now stepping back quickly from the rubber with the pivot foot (left) and flipping the ball to first without moving the stride foot.

The move requires considerable practice to perfect, but will give the left-hander an additional weapon against a base-stealer. It should be developed progressively, with the pitcher throwing the ball just a few feet at first and gradually increasing the distance as the throws become more comfortable.

The elbow should be kept in close to the body to enhance quickness and avoid excessive strain during the throw. The forearm should go out from the body as the elbow stays near the pitcher's side, and the ball should be flipped with a sidearm movement almost entirely with the forearm.

The pitcher must be sure to move his pivot foot before his arm to avoid being called for a balk.

HOLDING A RUNNER ON SECOND BASE:

The shortstop has a better chance to hold the runner close to second because he can move in toward the runner and stop his advance without giving up much range, whereas the second baseman, in moving toward the bag to work on the runner, gives up range.

It is thus wiser to have the shortstop work on the runner, unless the particular hitter makes it inadvisable.

The shortstop should force the runner to shorten his lead by taking short, choppy steps until he actually breaks for the bag, which he must do with hard running steps.

The shortstop should move up and back to fake the runner and go toward the base only on a pickoff attempt. The second baseman must move toward the base to fake the runner or to break for a throw.

Whereas any pickoff throw started toward first base must be completed or it will be a balk, the same is not true on moves to second or third base.

The pitcher should understand that any time he begins an action toward second base and realizes he has no chance to get the runner, he should just hold the ball.

The pivot should be tight, with the glove and throwing arm up and close to the body, and the steps should be short and quick. The pivot is usually made toward the glove side, and the arm action can begin as the body is turning.

While quicker, this pivot may be a little more dangerous since the pitcher will temporarily lose sight of his target and have to re-establish eye contact with it before releasing the ball.

Though the pivot toward the throwing side is slower, since the body must complete its turn before the arm can begin the throwing action, it is safer since the pitcher's eyes never leave the fielder.

A young or inexperienced pitcher might choose to use the slower, safer method, while an experienced pitcher would probably use the quicker but more dangerous method of turning toward the glove side.

The throw to second base should be waist high over the bag, allowing the infielder to make the tag. The pitcher should be cautioned about making the "perfect" pickoff throw to second. Infielders who have to catch the ball on the run and then apply the tag can wind up with all sorts of problems on throws just a couple of inches off the ground.

LOCK PLAY:

This isn't really a play as much as a procedure on an age-old problem - a pitcher turning to throw to second and finding no one covering the base or an infielder breaking to the bag while the pitcher is delivering to the plate - which can be even worse, since it leaves a big hole in the defense.

These two misconnection problems can be virtually eliminated with a "lock play."

1. The pitcher cannot pitch if he sees a the middle infielder responsible for keeping the runner close is leaning or moving toward second base. The pitcher is locked in (cannot pitch) until the infielder stops moving or leaning.

2. The infielder cannot break to the base - is locked in - whenever he sees the pitcher looking away from him.

Whenever the infielder leans toward the base and then breaks for it, the pitcher must either pivot and throw to the base or back off the rubber.

Examples of the "lock play" at work:

1. The pitcher comes to the set position and looks at the shortstop, who is leaning toward second base. The pitcher is locked. He continues to look at the shortstop; if the SS breaks for the bag, the pitcher turns and throws.

2. The pitcher comes to the set position and looks at the shortstop, who is standing still. The pitcher turns his head to the plate. Now the shortstop is locked. He cannot break for the bag. The pitcher is free to pitch to the plate.

3. The pitcher comes to the set position and looks at the shortstop, who is slowly moving toward the runner. The pitcher is locked. He cannot pitch. The runner shortens his lead and the shortstop retreats toward his normal position. The pitcher is unlocked and he can now turn and deliver to the plate.

HOLDING A RUNNER ON THIRD BASE:

One method of holding a runner close to third is for the pitcher to go to the set position as he would with a runner on first or second. If the pitcher is comfortable working from the set position, this procedure is very effective.

If the pitcher prefers to use a full wind-up with a runner on third, he can use a "1-2-3-4" sequence to keep the runner from breaking early and trying to steal home:

"1" - get the signal and look at the target.

"2" - look at the runner of third.

"3" - start the wind-up while looking at the runner.

"4" - as the glove starts up, look back to the catcher's target and pitch.

Two potential problems with the sequence method:

First, the pitcher will use 1-3-2-4, but start the wind-up before looking at the runner, which may lead to a balk if the runner breaks for the plate and surprises the pitcher.

Second, if the pitcher stays in the "3" position too long and continues to look at the runner on third as he goes into his wind-up, he may shift his eyes to the plate too late to be able to concentrate properly on the target.

If the runner is going to try to steal home, he must break as soon as the pitcher begins his wind-up. So the pitcher doesn't have to continue to look at him for any length of time after starting to move toward the plate.

These mechanics can be mastered by any pitcher who is willing to work hard and purposefully on them in practice. We often have our pitchers work in pairs so that they can coach each other on the mechanics. We utilize our bullpens and our practice infield for these drills and usually conduct them while batting practice is being held on the main field.

Since pitchers spend a lot of time standing around in the outfield during batting practice (occasionally chasing a ball and throwing it back to the infield), it makes more sense to have them utilize the time to work on their own skills rather than serve as fly-chasers.

Pitchers who can hold the runners on base will definitely slow down the opponents' running game.