There are two basic areas of how to improve a pitcher's ability to control the running game: the physical (picks, stretch deliveries, break time, etc.) and the mental (running, counts, who runs, why they run, when to pick, when to pitch, etc.). Both are very important and drill work should be done every day in order to improve each division.

1. runners
   • Stolen bases are their big weapon
   • Look to run regardless of score
   • More likely to run early in count
2. Count runners
   • Pick their spots (2-2 break ball pitcher, etc.)
   • Hit and run guys
3. Non-Runners
   • Definite "play-it-safe" guys

Classifying runners on the other team helps us to avoid trying to pick-off at unnecessary times. We predetermine, before we come set, whether we are going to pitch or pick-off. We never make this decision when we' come set. This prevents the pitcher from having a "division of mine set" in the set position, and allows the pitcher to concentrate 100% on the pitch or pick. It also allows the pitcher to go to a four-seam grip when picking (true flight) or a specific grip when pitching. In our system, picks can be sent in from coach through catcher, from catcher to pitcher, and from infielder to pitcher. A pitcher can also decide to pick-off on his own, but it is always predetermined.

The differences in how a right-handed and left-handed pitcher controls the running game.

RIGHT-HANDERS
Right-handed pitchers control the running game with quickness and disruption of runners timing. Our goal is not to pick runners off, but to cut down leads and eliminate jumps of runners.
This is accomplished by 3 basic actions:


1. Come set quickly with very little body movement. The "set" position is identical whether the pitcher is picking-off or pitching.
   
   
   1. Feet shoulder width apart
   2. Flexion in both legs with weight balanced on both feet
   3. Head and eyes on catcher's glove (very important)o We do not use "quick head turns". Tuck chin to front shoulder to pick or pitch.
   
   
   
2. Ability to vary the amount of time the pitcher holds the ball before picking or pitching. To do this, the right-hander must avoid the same body tempo. The hardest action to learn and thus the most effective tool for the right-hander is to be able to hold ball a long time (3-4 seconds) and pitch or pick.
   
   
3. Develop quickness to plate (break times 1.2 to 1.3) and quickness to pick-off. The running game is designed to force a pitcher to try to pitch "too quickly", thus losing the ability to locate. This is caused by failing to get arm swing up on back side before the front foot hits. This causes a lot of RHP's to miss high in the zone. The ability to pick-off is simply learning to get the ball in the air to first baseman fast - quick feet and arm. However, it is important to never sacrifice location of pick-off or pitch for quickness.

LEFT-HANDERS
Left-handers control the running game with deception. The deception comes in where the head and eyes are looking when the front foot loses contact with the ground. Most LHP's try to "be deceptive" by looking at the opposite action they are performing. Ex: look home to pick-off look at 1st to pitch - As a result , base runners "grow up" seeing this action out of LHP's, thus it becomes an easy read for them. We work on learning to mix the most effective action becoming "looking at what we're doing". (Look home - pitch, look at 1st - pick.) It sounds simple, but takes a lot of hard work (in drills) to perfect.

GOALS OF CONTROLLING RUNNING GAME


1. Pick-off at the proper time with the proper time set hold (RHP) and head look (LHP)
2. Never throw pick away