The ‘3-2′ Move: A Revolution in Situational Pitching?
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Yesterday, I read a piece by Tim Brown of Yahoo sports about a move which may soon revolutionize situational pitching.
We’re not talking here about some secret strategy when the count is full. This is about a pick-off move with the sacks full or with runners on second and third.
Tim Brown explains;
The pitcher fakes the throw to third, then allows that momentum to carry him – 270 degrees counter-clockwise – into a throw to second base. It works best with the bases loaded, when it comes disguised as the more familiar third-to-first pickoff.
The story goes on to relate how righthanded reliever Matt Wilhite,
who had just been signed by the L.A. Angels, met minor league coach Keith Comstock, a former lefthanded reliever and veteran of 144 big league games spread over 6 seasons.
After retiring, Comstock became a coach, and while coaching third base one season began to consider the seeming invulnerability of the baserunner at second.
Comstock introduced Wilhite to “The’3-2′” , as he had introduced a number of other pitchers — mostly righthanders and preferably side-armers.
Brown continues with Comstock’s explanation of why “The ‘3-2′”;
“The guy at second just had a ridiculous lead, he was uncoached, and a lot of times he got into a funk where he’s thinking there’s no chance of getting picked off,” Comstock said.
The third-to-first move – or the threat of it – kept the runners at first and third close. The man at second was free from those worries, and therefore his lead often was large enough to score easily on even the hardest-hit singles. Comstock endeavored to change that.
“I’ve had four or five guys make a living on it,” Comstock said. “Matty, to his credit, has really polished it to perfection.”
The Brown piece gives a more background on pitcher Matt Whilhite, his use of the move in recent game situations and the reactions of the umpires and is well worth reading.
But my major question is how a righthanded side-armer who plants his foot toward third base can then fake a throw to third and then throw to second. I’ve not seen the film mentioned in the article, although I’ve done searches on Google, MYSpace and on YouTube, and so, to this unviewed eye, “The’3-2′” seems to defy natural forces.
If anyone reading this post comes across a film-clip of “The ‘3-2′”, please forward the link here.
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