Inside move or glove side pick at 2B?

When attempting a pickoff at 2B, the pitcher has one of two optons to consider. Should he spin towards his glove side and make a throw to 2B, or should he inside move and attempt a pickoff at 2B?

The first thing that needs seriously considered is whether the pitcher has the coordination to execute the glove side pick. It is a dynamic pickoff move that has the pitcher spin towards 2B trying to throw to the bag. At amateur levels of baseball this is a difficult proposition. If it can't be done, it shouldn't be tried.

So, the discussion as to which pickoff to use assumes that a pitcher is capable of both moves.

The glove side move is usually used in conjunction with wahat is commonly referred to as the "daylight" play. In other words, when the SS begins to move towards 2B, the pitcher sees space or daylight between the SS and the baserunner and he turns and fires to the bag in an attempt to retire the runner. It is definitely a timing play and requires lots and lots of repetitions. This glove side pickoff is a good thing to do with 2 out as sometimes the runner attempt to get to big of a lead. And, if the ball is thrown into centerfield, the offense still needs a hit by most accounts to score the run.

The inside move is a deception move. It is primarily used in 1 out situations where the base runner might be trying to gain an advantage by getting to 3B with 1 out. The pitcher lets the runner at 2B think he is fine with his lead and the middle infielders are at a comfortable distance away. When the pitcher lifts his leg and the runner at 2B begins to steal 3B, the pitcher swivels inside for the pickoff at 2B.

The major difference between the two is timing vs. deception.

If the pickoff at 2B is what you're looking for- the glove side move is the method of choice. If the deception of throwing home is what you're looking for- the inside move is the method of choice.

Keep an eye on the outs when watching these pickoff plays. The number of outs are a great indicator as to which one professional teams will use.