Pick-offs to Avr to slow non-stealing runners

StickWillett · 11-20-2017, 11:30 PM

I don't understand why pick-offs occur in these games when you have a non-stealing avr to slow runner on a base. Nothing more frustrating when you get one of your pitchers or average to slow runners get on first base, who has no intentions of stealing, to find him getting picked-off that base. The at-bat mgr is not given any choice to stand on the base so by not choosing the steal attempt that is the only option the mgr has to keep this runner from taking any chances so we think. This is an unpreventable play for the offense that seems to be not fair or non-realistic. Maybe by adding the choices for the runner like "no lead", "average lead", or "steal" (same as large lead) then an occasional pick-off to the "average lead" runner can reflect that occurrence of catching the runner off-guard or "sleeping" during his lead and the "no lead" choice for the runner can reflect the very cautious and base-hugging runner who is not going to get picked-off but then his chances for beating out a throw to the next base will be hampered....

EuphoniAl · 07-01-2020, 01:14 PM

Thank you! Well said. I'm tired of having runners picked off that I had no intention of sending. I seriously feel like I'm being cheated by the computer. It's ridiculous.

Rain King · 07-01-2020, 01:42 PM

I mean, this also happens in MLB all the time, I'm guessing they are using real pick-off averages.

It seems like 5 or 6 times a game you see a pitcher throw over to a base where a runner has a 1-foot lead.

There are a number of reasons this happens that often have nothing to do with the runner.

- Just as a general distraction for the batter, getting them out of rhythm.
- Pitcher is slowing themselves down or changed their mind about the pitch they were about to throw
- Wasting time to allow bullpen to warm up
- Want to see if a hitter will give away a bunt attempt

11-20-2017, 11:30 PM	#1
StickWillett Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 90	Pick-offs to Avr to slow non-stealing runners I don't understand why pick-offs occur in these games when you have a non-stealing avr to slow runner on a base. Nothing more frustrating when you get one of your pitchers or average to slow runners get on first base, who has no intentions of stealing, to find him getting picked-off that base. The at-bat mgr is not given any choice to stand on the base so by not choosing the steal attempt that is the only option the mgr has to keep this runner from taking any chances so we think. This is an unpreventable play for the offense that seems to be not fair or non-realistic. Maybe by adding the choices for the runner like "no lead", "average lead", or "steal" (same as large lead) then an occasional pick-off to the "average lead" runner can reflect that occurrence of catching the runner off-guard or "sleeping" during his lead and the "no lead" choice for the runner can reflect the very cautious and base-hugging runner who is not going to get picked-off but then his chances for beating out a throw to the next base will be hampered....

07-01-2020, 01:14 PM	#2
EuphoniAl Bat Boy Join Date: May 2020 Location: Towanda, PA Posts: 2	Thank you! Well said. I'm tired of having runners picked off that I had no intention of sending. I seriously feel like I'm being cheated by the computer. It's ridiculous.

07-01-2020, 01:42 PM	#3
Rain King Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,072 Infractions: 1/1 (1)	I mean, this also happens in MLB all the time, I'm guessing they are using real pick-off averages. It seems like 5 or 6 times a game you see a pitcher throw over to a base where a runner has a 1-foot lead. There are a number of reasons this happens that often have nothing to do with the runner. - Just as a general distraction for the batter, getting them out of rhythm. - Pitcher is slowing themselves down or changed their mind about the pitch they were about to throw - Wasting time to allow bullpen to warm up - Want to see if a hitter will give away a bunt attempt