THE THREE IN ONE DRILL

PART II – SET IV (Continued)

I. The Flipper Play: Pitcher/Catcher/Middle Infielder Pick off at Second Base.

• This pick off differs in that the pitcher does not look at the middle infielder prior to throwing to second base. He relies solely on the catcher to tell him when to turn and throw. The effectiveness of his pick off is the fact that the pitcher does not look at second base, but makes what appears to be a “blind” throw to second base.
• In reality, this is a rather simple pick off attempt. This pick off play can be used any time there is a runner on second base… second base only, first base and second base, or when the bases are loaded.
• Purposes:
  1. To teach the pitcher, catcher, and middle infielders the timing necessary to execute the “no look” – “blind” pick off play.
  2. To take advantage of the base runner that expects the pitcher to look back at him before making a pick off attempt or delivering the ball to home plate.
• Procedure
  1. Pitcher on the mound with a baseball.
  2. Catcher behind home plate.
  3. Middle Infielders (shortstop and second baseman) in their positions.
• Coaching Points:
  1. Pitcher:
     • Receives middle infielder’s verbal and physical sign for pick off play
     • Must know which infielder has second base responsibility.
  2. Acknowledges and replies with a “brush down” the shirt or pants with his glove or bare hand.
  3. Infielder's Verbal Sign � "Come on flipper!"
  4. Infielder’s Physical Sign –“Tug on right ear lobe.”
  5. Goes into set position looking at the catcher � does not look back at the runner at second base.
  6. On catcher's signal, an upward motion of the right hand on the chest protector (a flip) the pitcher makes a spin jump and throws to second base.
  7. Right-handed pitcher turns to his left when throwing to second base…counter clockwise.
  8. Left-handed pitcher turns to his right when throwing to second base… clockwise.
  9. Remember...Pitcher does not have to throw to second base! It is not a balk! Do not throw if there is a break down in the timing of the play.
• Catcher:
  1. May initiate the play by using verbal and physical signs.
  2. If play is initiated by one of the middle infielders… acknowledge the sign by “tugging on right ear lobe with right hand.”
  3. Catcher assumes his catching stance with his open right hand in the middle of his chest protector.
  4. Watches middle infielder break for second base when he sees middle infielder is near the base and will beat the base runner, he makes an upward sweeping motion on his chest protector with his right hand… A flipping motion!
  5. This is the pitcher's sign to pivot and throw immediately to second base.
  6. Catcher must, through practice, learn to time the “flipping action” to coincide with the middle infielder’s arrival at second base…remember the pitcher’s throw should be late rather than early.
  7. If the timing of the play breaks down, the catcher should yell, “step-off” to the pitcher.
• Middle Infielders: Shortstop and Second Baseman
  1. The middle infielder may initiate the “flipper” pick off play by use of the verbal and physical signs.
     • Verbal Sign –“Come on flipper!”
     • Physical Sign –“Tugging on right ear lobe.”
  2. If play is initiated by the catcher the middle infielder who has second base responsibility must acknowledge the sign by “tugging on his right ear lobe.”
  3. Although this play works well with either the shortstop or second baseman, it is slightly more effective when initiated by the second baseman.
  4. Second baseman is the pick off man with a right-handed hitter at the plate.
     • The base runner can be “set up” by telling the shortstop to play the hitter to pull (so that the base runner can hear.)
     • The shortstop moves farther from second base toward third base as a decoy.
  5. The second baseman's takes a position six to eight feet from second base.
  6. The second baseman should begin his “fake” toward the runner at second base when the pitchers hands are at the top of his stretch and starting down.
  7. The "fake move" is executed by anchoring the right foot and using it as a pivot. Taking a crossover "jab step" with the left foot toward second base and simultaneously "pounding the glove" will drive the runner back toward the base.
  8. After making his initial fake, the second baseman "squares up" toward home plate and takes a "lateral scoot" away from second base. He must be balanced, have lateral movement, and be ready to return to second base.
  9. The base runner seeing the second baseman move away from the base will start to reestablish his lead off the base.
  10. The second baseman breaks for the base when he sees the base runner change direction and begin to reestablish his lead off second base. This “timing” increases the defense’s chances of catching the base runner with his weight going toward third base, losing lateral movement and becoming and easy pick off victim.
  11. When the catcher sees the second baseman break for second base, he gives the “flip sign” to the pitcher who pivots and throws to second base.
  12. The second baseman covers second base and receives the pitcher's throw by squaring up back of second base (to establish lateral movement) and when it is determined that the throw is accurate stepping across the base with the left foot, making the catch and applying the tag on the base runner.
• Shortstop
  1. Will have second base responsibility with a runner on second base and a left-handed hitter at bat.
  2. Assumes a position approximately six feet behind the base runner.
  3. Shortstop's right foot in line with base runner's left foot. This gives the shortstop inside position, which is critical for the success of any pick off play.
  4. The shortstop should begin his "fake" toward second base when the pitcher is at the top of his stretch and starting down.
  5. The “fake move” is executed by anchoring the right foot and making an aggressive “jab step” with the left foot toward second base and simultaneously “pounding the glove.”
  6. After making his initial fake, the shortstop squares up into his normal stance and waits for the base runner to move away from second base and start to reestablish his lead off second base.
  7. The shortstop breaks for second base as the base runner begins to take his lead off second base.
  8. When the catcher sees the shortstop break for second based, he gives the “flip sign” to the pitcher who pivots and throws to second base.
  9. The shortstop covers second base and receives the pitches throw by squaring up back of second base (to establish lateral movement) and when it is determined that the throw is accurate stepping across the base with the left foot, making the catch and applying the tag on the base runner.

II. Conclusion

• The “flip play” may be used any time there is a runner on second base. It is particularly effective with runners on second and third bases only.
• With two outs, the runner at second base is extremely vulnerable because he becomes complacent and therefore, careless with his attention directed more toward the hitter and away from his base running responsibilities. The third base coach tends to direct his attention to the runner at third base leaving the runner at second base on his own.

Good Luck!