Okay, so I was messing around in MLB The Show 23 the other day, trying to get better at pickoffs. I’ve always been trash at it, so I figured it was time to practice.
First, I watched some videos online, but they weren’t very helpful. They were all like, “Just press the button at the right time,” but they didn’t really explain what the “right time” was. So, I decided to just jump into a game and figure it out myself.
I started a game against the computer, and I immediately gave up a single. Great start, right? The runner on first was pretty fast, so I knew I had to keep an eye on him. I tried to pick him off a few times, but I kept messing it up. Either I’d throw it too early, and he’d get back easily, or I’d throw it too late, and he’d steal second.
Then, I started to notice a pattern. Before the runner would try to steal, he’d always take a few extra steps off the base. It was subtle, but it was there. So, I started to time my throws based on that. I’d wait for him to take those extra steps, and then I’d fire the ball to first.
- Waited for the runner to take a lead.
- Pressed L2/LT to start the pickoff.
- Quickly pressed the base button to throw.
And you know what? It worked! I started picking off runners left and right. I even managed to pick off a guy trying to steal third, which felt amazing. The more I practiced, the better I got at reading the runners and timing my throws.
It’s still not easy, mind you. It’s like trying to thread a needle while riding a rollercoaster. You really gotta be quick and pay attention to what the runner is doing. But it’s definitely doable. I’m not saying I’m a pickoff master now or anything, but I’m definitely not as terrible as I used to be. You can do it too with the same methods I used.
My tips
The key is to be patient and to watch the runner closely. Don’t just throw the ball over there willy-nilly. Wait for the right moment, and then make your move. And don’t be afraid to mess up. It’s part of the learning process. Keep practicing, and you’ll get better. It’s all about timing and paying attention, like that old saying, “Keep your eye on the ball,” but in this case, it’s “Keep your eye on the runner!”
So yeah, that’s my story about how I finally learned how to pick off runners in MLB The Show 23. It was a struggle, but I eventually figured it out. If I can do it, anyone can. Now, you can use my tips and dominate MLB The Show 23 in no time. Go ahead and give it a try!
