Pitchout

In baseball, a pitchout is a ball deliberately thrown wide of the plate to allow a catcher to throw out a baserunner attempting to steal a base. It is typically thrown high and outside to the catcher's glove side, making it difficult for the batter to hit, but providing the catcher with a good opportunity to catch a runner trying to advance. The pitchout is a strategic play generally called when the defensive team anticipates a steal. Its effectiveness depends on the runner's lead, speed, and the catcher's arm strength and accuracy. A pitchout is a risk-reward play; if the runner doesn't steal, the team risks falling behind in the count and giving the batter a better opportunity to reach base.