Pick Off Party is an advanced drill for pitchers and infielders to practice pick off moves.  With four areas of instruction available, much can be accomplished with this drill.  There are lots of moving parts, and baseballs flying in many different directions.  Therefore, Pick Off Party should only be ran when safety is not an issue.  Pick-Off Party is an efficient way to drill picks AFTER they have been taught.  This is a chaotic drill and therefore can be tough to teach specifics for the first time.  However, it is a great way to reinforce fundamentals associated with 1B Pick, 2B Pick, 3B Pick, middle infield signs, verbal picks, phew!!

EXECUTION – Set up a complete diamond with bases and infielders (4), pitchers (4), and catchers (1-2).  At full go, this drill involves four actions and therefore four pitchers are required.  Place cones down to mark where the pitchers will make their moves from (only 2B picks will use the pitcher’s rubber).  Execute three throws to a base before rotating to next position.  Move from: P-1b –> P-2b –> P-3b –> P-home –> 3B –> SS –> 2B –> 1B

• Picks to 1st – On first base side of the mound, pitchers make moves to 1B
• Picks to 2nd – On the mound (actual rubber), start by assigning a single pick (spin-move or inside-turn).  Older teams: Pitchers can take signs from middle infielders and execute picks to 2nd.  These “signs” can involve number of looks, type of pick (spin vs. inside-turn), or a pickoff play unique to your team.
• Picks to 3rd – On third base side of the mound, pitchers make moves to 3B.  Third baseman breaks on right-handed pitcher’s first movement (leg lift).
• Pitchouts to Home – Pitchers start from in-front of the mound, standing in the landing area, and execute pitchouts from the stretch-position.  Other options: Pitches in dirt, signs, etc.

DC KEYS

1. Pitcher Connect with Pick-Partner – Loads of chaos and we need to do our best to control it and avoid injury.  RULE: Pitchers engage their pick-partner before each movement.  Point, eye-contact, verbal.
2. Middle Infield Signs – Infielders should practice giving signs… or flashing ‘daylight’.  Advanced ideas to consider: (1) Looks vs. Picks.  (2) Which picks?  (3) System for communication.  (4) Verbal picks from coach.
3. Throws to Home – Options: pitchouts, intentional walks, balls in dirt, dropped third strike, fielding bunts, mix it up

EQUIPMENT LIST