THE THREE IN ONE DRILL

PART I – SET III

• Purpose :
  1. To teach the pitchers and middle infielders the timing for the “count pick off play” at second base.
     • Pitcher and Shortstop
     • Pitcher and Second Baseman
  2. To teach the third baseman how to field slow rollers and throw to first base.
  3. To give the first baseman practice fielding the bunt (simulating the first and second bunt defense situation) and throwing to third base.
• Procedure :
  1. Count Pick Off Play at Second Base
     • Pitcher
       1. Steps on the rubber and goes into his stretch.
       2. Looks at the middle infielder for physical sign for pick off play after he comes to the set position.
       3. Makes a deliberate head turn toward home plate after receiving middle infielders sign for the pick off attempt… middle infielder keys on pitcher’s head!
       4. Pick off throw should always be too late rather than too early.
       5. When pitcher turns his head back toward home plate, he will begin his count (1,001 – 1,002) and then whirl and throw to second base.
       6. Firm throw waist high over the base.
       7. Pitcher should make a “spin jump” replacing his feet.
       8. Remember! You do not have to throw to second base.
       9. Pitcher must know which middle infielder has second base responsibility before stepping on the mound.
       10. Pitchers will alternate pick off throws between shortstop and second baseman during drill.
       11. A verbal sign should be incorporated by the middle infielders to alert the pitcher of an impending pick off attempt. The verbal sign is given between pitches and before the pitcher steps on the mound.
       12. Pitcher may acknowledge verbal sign by “brushing down” his pants with his throwing hand.
     • Middle Infielder :
       1. Must let pitcher know who has second base responsibility that is, who will cover second on the pick off attempt before pitcher steps on mound.
       2. Middle infielder gives pitcher the pick off sign when he comes set and looks at him.
       3. Keys on the pitcher’s head! Pitcher must make a “distinct” even exaggerated head turn toward home plate.
       4. Breaks for second base when pitcher turns his head toward home plate.
     • Slow Rollers to the Third Baseman and First Baseman
     • Purpose :
       1. To give the third baseman practice fielding slow rollers.
       2. To give the first baseman practice fielding the bunted ball and throwing to third base.
     • Procedure : While pitchers and middle infielders are practicing the “count pick off play” the coach fungoes slow rollers to the third baseman and then to the first baseman.
     1. Third baseman is in his defensive position.
     2. First baseman at first base.
     3. Coach fungoes slow rollers to the third baseman who fields the ball and throws to first base.
     4. After several slow rollers, the third baseman covers third base and the first baseman assumes a defensive position halfway between the mound and first base and is in a trackman’s stance for a quick start…his sacrifice bunt defensive position with runners on first and second bases.
     5. Coach fungoes – sacrifice bunt like –slow rollers to the first baseman in his first and second sacrifice bunt position.
     6. The first baseman fields the ball and throws to the third baseman covering third base.
     7. The third baseman should assume his sacrifice bunt position with runners on first and second bases and practice returning to third base to receive the first baseman’s throw.

      

     Good Luck!

      

     For further instructions on this drill see JNL #65 November.