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[This is part of a series exploring the Baseball Tarot. If you would like to prompt for a part of the game or a card from the deck, all the rest of the month is available for your curiosity, about either baseball or Tarot. Leave a comment with a prompt if you want in. All other comments are still welcome, of course.]
Runners on base are only safe when a part of their body is in contact with the base. If the ball is in play, any time a runner is touched with the baseball (or the globe that has the baseball inside), they're out. The safest way to avoid this fate is to stay with a foot in contact with the base while the play develops. And if tags are the only way that a player could be put out, feet in contact with the base all the time would be the way to go. However, since runners can be forced to try and take the next base, and be put out if the player with the ball gets to that base before the runner does, the runner has leave the safety of the base to try and close the gap between them and the next base. Or try to steal the next base on the defense so that there isn't a forcing situation any more. This creates leadoffs, where the runner exchanges safety for a little bit of extra distance, and pickoffs, where the defense tries to catch the runner too far away from the base to get safely back by throwing the ball to the runner's base and applying a tag.
Pickoffs can happen either from the pitcher or the catcher, before a pitch or after one, but commentators will often refer to a catcher attempt as a "snap throw" or some other method and leave "pickoff" as a thing just for pitchers to perform. There are a couple of types of throwing over to a base that can happen. One is done mostly with the idea of "I don't like your lead, but I'm not trying my hardest to get you out." Because pitchers know as much as runners do how far is still safe for them to lead, but they want to keep their runners honest and not heading for the next base as soon as they start to deliver to home. A few of these throws over to a base in a row riles up the fanatics that are looking for an action sequence, so they may start booing the pitcher for these tactically sensible acts.
The other type of throw is meant to try and catch a runner far enough off to make a play on them, moves much more swiftly than the other, and is generally what's referred to as the "pickoff move" by the commentators. For right handed throwers, this usually means a quick spin around and throw to first base. For left handed throwers, since they are already facing first base, there's often some deception involved where what looks like the beginning of a normal pitch turns into a throw over to the base. As much as pickoff attempts happen, they rarely succeed at the goal of getting a runner out. They are much better at keeping a runner from taking a bigger lead and from trying to steal successfully, so they may indirectly contribute to outs on ground balls by giving the defense a little extra time to execute their plays.
Pickoffs come with risks, though. The first is that a move done improperly is a balk and the runner will be awarded the next base anyway. Rule 8.05 governs the majority of these issues.
The other danger of a pickoff is throwing the ball out of the reach of the fielder and the runners advancing anyway from the wild throw. Considering a good pickoff will probably arrive at the right place for a swift tag, it's entirely possible to misjudge when the runner will be occupying that space and hit them with the ball, or to step or throw without good mechanics in the hurry to get the runner and have the ball sail through the air or strike the dirt on front of the fielder. This kind of mistake can give a runner more bases than they would have had by stealing. For this reason, pickoff technique is often discouraged in the early learning leagues, and the rules are modified such that runners can't take leads until after the pitch has crossed home plate (or left the pitcher's hand) so as to remove that part of the game.
If this card appears in your reading, it indicates the presence of close scrutiny. If you're the runner, the lead you're taking is making the pitcher uncomfortable, or they think there's an opportunity to get you out because you're taking too much risk. Even if your ultimate goal is to steal the next base or advance on a hot, you're not going to get the opportunity until you can make the pitcher comfortable enough to deliver the ball to the batter instead of at you. Sure, there's a possibility things might go wild, but it's far more likely that you will get what you want by being a little bit closer to the base for the next few pitches.
If you're the pitcher and you think a pickoff is warranted, remember that a proportionate response is best - sometimes, all you have to do is throw over to get the runner to shorten their lead by a step or two. Engaging the full process when it isn't warranted increases the risks of throwing wild or being called for a balk. Remember, too, that you have the rest of the fielders to help out - even if the runner tries to steal, the catcher can still put them out if you deliver a good pitch to the plate. It's not your responsibility to get every out all by yourself. Honest.
A successful pickoff is a brilliant move with long-lasting consequences. A failed pickoff move is not so good, and carries long-lasting consequences itself. Use wisely and sparingly.
Runners on base are only safe when a part of their body is in contact with the base. If the ball is in play, any time a runner is touched with the baseball (or the globe that has the baseball inside), they're out. The safest way to avoid this fate is to stay with a foot in contact with the base while the play develops. And if tags are the only way that a player could be put out, feet in contact with the base all the time would be the way to go. However, since runners can be forced to try and take the next base, and be put out if the player with the ball gets to that base before the runner does, the runner has leave the safety of the base to try and close the gap between them and the next base. Or try to steal the next base on the defense so that there isn't a forcing situation any more. This creates leadoffs, where the runner exchanges safety for a little bit of extra distance, and pickoffs, where the defense tries to catch the runner too far away from the base to get safely back by throwing the ball to the runner's base and applying a tag.
Pickoffs can happen either from the pitcher or the catcher, before a pitch or after one, but commentators will often refer to a catcher attempt as a "snap throw" or some other method and leave "pickoff" as a thing just for pitchers to perform. There are a couple of types of throwing over to a base that can happen. One is done mostly with the idea of "I don't like your lead, but I'm not trying my hardest to get you out." Because pitchers know as much as runners do how far is still safe for them to lead, but they want to keep their runners honest and not heading for the next base as soon as they start to deliver to home. A few of these throws over to a base in a row riles up the fanatics that are looking for an action sequence, so they may start booing the pitcher for these tactically sensible acts.
The other type of throw is meant to try and catch a runner far enough off to make a play on them, moves much more swiftly than the other, and is generally what's referred to as the "pickoff move" by the commentators. For right handed throwers, this usually means a quick spin around and throw to first base. For left handed throwers, since they are already facing first base, there's often some deception involved where what looks like the beginning of a normal pitch turns into a throw over to the base. As much as pickoff attempts happen, they rarely succeed at the goal of getting a runner out. They are much better at keeping a runner from taking a bigger lead and from trying to steal successfully, so they may indirectly contribute to outs on ground balls by giving the defense a little extra time to execute their plays.
Pickoffs come with risks, though. The first is that a move done improperly is a balk and the runner will be awarded the next base anyway. Rule 8.05 governs the majority of these issues.
8.05The rules say to penalize the intent to deceive, but successful pickoffs are often disguised as regular motions, with the exception of the contact foot swiftly moving off the pitcher's plate before the pickoff attempt so as to avoid the penalty of the balk. The umpires have to have good vision to be able to see which rules apply.
If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when --
(a) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery;
- Rule 8.05(a) Comment: If a lefthanded or righthanded pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher’s rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except to throw to second base on a pick-off-play.
(b) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw;
(c) The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base;
- Rule 8.05(c) Comment: Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk.
A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base but does not require him to throw (except to first base only) because he steps. It is possible, with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal. However, if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in practically the same motion “wheels” and throws to first base, it is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at first base, and in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward first base before the throw to first base, and such a move shall be called a balk. Of course, if the pitcher steps off the rubber and then makes such a move, it is not a balk.
(d) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play;
(f) The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while he is not facing the batter;
(g) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitcher’s plate;
(i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher’s plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch;
- Rule 8.05 Comment: Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire’s mind, the “intent” of the pitcher should govern. However, certain specifics should be borne in mind:
(a) Straddling the pitcher’s rubber without the ball is to be interpreted as intent to deceive and ruled a balk.
(b) With a runner on first base the pitcher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first, and throw to second. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to an unoccupied base.
The other danger of a pickoff is throwing the ball out of the reach of the fielder and the runners advancing anyway from the wild throw. Considering a good pickoff will probably arrive at the right place for a swift tag, it's entirely possible to misjudge when the runner will be occupying that space and hit them with the ball, or to step or throw without good mechanics in the hurry to get the runner and have the ball sail through the air or strike the dirt on front of the fielder. This kind of mistake can give a runner more bases than they would have had by stealing. For this reason, pickoff technique is often discouraged in the early learning leagues, and the rules are modified such that runners can't take leads until after the pitch has crossed home plate (or left the pitcher's hand) so as to remove that part of the game.
If this card appears in your reading, it indicates the presence of close scrutiny. If you're the runner, the lead you're taking is making the pitcher uncomfortable, or they think there's an opportunity to get you out because you're taking too much risk. Even if your ultimate goal is to steal the next base or advance on a hot, you're not going to get the opportunity until you can make the pitcher comfortable enough to deliver the ball to the batter instead of at you. Sure, there's a possibility things might go wild, but it's far more likely that you will get what you want by being a little bit closer to the base for the next few pitches.
If you're the pitcher and you think a pickoff is warranted, remember that a proportionate response is best - sometimes, all you have to do is throw over to get the runner to shorten their lead by a step or two. Engaging the full process when it isn't warranted increases the risks of throwing wild or being called for a balk. Remember, too, that you have the rest of the fielders to help out - even if the runner tries to steal, the catcher can still put them out if you deliver a good pitch to the plate. It's not your responsibility to get every out all by yourself. Honest.
A successful pickoff is a brilliant move with long-lasting consequences. A failed pickoff move is not so good, and carries long-lasting consequences itself. Use wisely and sparingly.
