What are the limits on pickoff attempts?
Rule- Canada
- MLB
- Professional baseball
- Replay review
- 2026
- Fans
Under MLB's pitch timer rules, pitchers are limited to two disengagements (pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance.
- The limit resets if a runner or runners advance during the plate appearance.
- If a third pickoff attempt is made and does not succeed, the runner automatically advances one base.
- With runners on base, the pitch timer resets when the pitcher attempts a pickoff or steps off the rubber.
- Mound visits, injury timeouts and offensive team timeouts do not count as a disengagement.
Source: MLB, Pitch Timer (mlb.com/glossary/rules/pitch-timer).
Added 25 Oct 2026