The art of the pick-off move

Today, I would like to discuss the pick-off move from a left-handed pitcher. This is something that is often feared by youth league coaches and overlooked at the advanced levels. However, James Shields (RHP), Jarrod Washburn, Chris Capuano, and Andy Pettite are able to use it as a weapon. The pick-off move can be used to keep a runner close, and a great pick-off move can get a pitcher an easy out. I am going to be using the University of Central Florida's Chris Matulis as an example of how one little problem in your mechanics can make it easy on the runner. First, let me discuss some of the things Chris does correctly. His head movement is excellent, he is always looking to the plate whether he throws there or at the runner. Some LHP are so predictable that coaches/players will know where they are going to throw just by where they are looking. His does a good job of varying his timing. He pauses goes to the plate and one time pauses and throws to first. Another thing he does that is vital, he pushes that imaginary 45 degree angle the front foot has to step on to stay within the limitations of the "distance and direction" discussed in MLB rule 8.01(c). Another important aspect of a good pick-off move is the leg kick; you want to have the same leg kick towards first base as when you deliver the ball to the plate. Chris does an excellent job of replicating his leg movement. However, the reason Matulis is not deceiving the runner is because of his hand motion. When throwing to the plate, Chris breaks his hands at his chest, and when throwing to first he brings his hands down to his waist. When watching the video you can see as soon as his hands drop below his chest the runner appears on the screen. At the college level, these players will pick up on that slight mechanical flaw every time! Barry Zito does an excellent job of replicating his throwing motion (picture below), and he isn't known for a great pick-off move. As for Chris, he is making an amateur mistake, and I am not sure if anyone has even pointed this out to him before. I did not notice it until reviewing it last night. I think with this minor adjustment, he will see a vast improvement in his ability to keep runners close.