LOCK PLAY

This isn’t really a play but a procedure to stop the problem of:

• The pitcher turning to throw to second and finding no one covering second.
  
  
• The middle infielder breaking to the bag while the pitcher is delivering to the plate.
  
  
• The pitcher delivering the ball and the middle fielders not in their fielding position.

To prevent these problems the following Lock Play rules must be followed:

1. The pitcher cannot pitch if he sees the middle infielder responsible for keeping the runner close is moving toward second base. The pitcher is locked in - cannot pitch until the infielder stops moving.

2. The infielder cannot break to the base - is locked in - whenever he sees the pitcher looking away from him.

3. Whenever the infielder leans toward the base and then breaks for it, the pitcher must either pivot or throw to the base or back off the rubber.

Note: It’s the Coaches call that determines what the pitcher must do. If the infielder leans and then breaks for the bag, if the coach has not called for the pick off, the pitcher is locked in - he cannot pitch until the infielder stops moving and gets back to his normal position. If the coach has called for the pick off, the pitcher makes the play.

Examples of the ‘Lock Play’:

• The pitcher comes to the set position and looks at the shortstop, who is leaning towards second base. The pitcher is locked. He continues to look at the shortstop, if the shortstop breaks for the bag, the pitcher turns and throws if the coach has called the pick off play. If the coach has not called the pick off play, the pitcher is locked until the shortstop retreats to his fielding position.

• The pitcher comes to the set position and looks at the shortstop, who is standing still. The pitcher turns his head to the plate. Now the shortstop is locked. He cannot break for the bag. The pitcher is free to pitch to the plate.