:isurrender: I am not a baseball person. Could someone please explain to me what is happening? I have watched it a couple times and I cannot figure it out. Thanks.

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Pitched acted like he was throwing it to 2nd base to get the runner out but also acted like the throw went out to the outfield. The fielders also take off like the ball went to the outfield. The runner on 2nd thinks the ball is in the outfield so he thinks he can get to 3rd base.

 

Problem is the pitcher never let go of the ball so when the runner heads to 3rd base the pitcher still has the ball and is waiting on him. Tags him. Runner is out.

:isurrender: I am not a baseball person. Could someone please explain to me what is happening? I have watched it a couple times and I cannot figure it out. Thanks.

 

The pitcher turns to attempt a pickoff at second base. But instead of throwing the ball, he fakes a throw. The infielders and outfielders then act like the ball was thrown poorly, pretending to chase after it. The runner was going back to the base, and seeing the defense act like the balls been thrown into the outfield, takes off for third. The pitcher (who has the ball), runs over and tags the runner out.

For or against this type of play in a high school playoff game?

 

Baseball Trick Play Helps Lead to a State Title

 

We had a similar play during my NewCath days, but it was to 1st base. 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, and right-fielder would all go running to foul territory telling each other where the imaginary ball was.

 

It worked like a charm the 1st time I did it in practice, only 4 of us knew what was going on. Tried it once in a game........FAIL!!!! :lol2:

I'm OK with it. as long as the rules say you can do it (or don't say you can't) I'm good with it.

 

Yep it's within the rules. But it does straddle the border of what some consider "bush league" stuff, like fake tags, a runner yelling "I got it" while an infielder is attempting to catch a fly ball, etc. I don't like those "deception" plays in baseball. But as I said before, well coached, attentive teams, don't get caught by these moves. So while I'd never use them, I'd certainly practice like teams would use them against my team. And if you use them against my team and they work, shame on me.

Yep it's within the rules. But it does straddle the border of what some consider "bush league" stuff, like fake tags, a runner yelling "I got it" while an infielder is attempting to catch a fly ball, etc. I don't like those "deception" plays in baseball. But as I said before, well coached, attentive teams, don't get caught by these moves. So while I'd never use them, I'd certainly practice like teams would use them against my team. And if you use them against my team and they work, shame on me.

 

Those plays you reference are obstruction in high school.

We had a similar play during my NewCath days, but it was to 1st base. 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, and right-fielder would all go running to foul territory telling each other where the imaginary ball was.

 

It worked like a charm the 1st time I did it in practice, only 4 of us knew what was going on. Tried it once in a game........FAIL!!!! :lol2:

 

What were the mechanics with this play?? This play works at 2nd base because you can fake the throw. You can't fake a pickoff to first.

What were the mechanics with this play?? This play works at 2nd base because you can fake the throw. You can't fake a pickoff to first.

 

Step off the mound first and then fake your throw.

What were the mechanics with this play?? This play works at 2nd base because you can fake the throw. You can't fake a pickoff to first.

 

Step off the mound first and then fake your throw.

 

BINGO

Step off the mound first and then fake your throw.

 

I guess. With a first base coach right there, I can't see this working. Just thinking there might have been more to the play than stepping off, and faking the throw and then oscar award winning acting.

I guess. With a first base coach right there, I can't see this working. Just thinking there might have been more to the play than stepping off, and faking the throw and then oscar award winning acting.

 

You never know who isn't paying attention. :lol2: Plus, sometimes the base runner takes off on their own thinking the ball was thrown away before a coach can says differently.

 

Bottomline: pay attention.

You never know who isn't paying attention. :lol2: Plus, sometimes the base runner takes off on their own thinking the ball was thrown away before a coach can says differently.

 

Bottomline: pay attention.

 

That would be that first base coaches last inning coaching first.

I guess. With a first base coach right there, I can't see this working. Just thinking there might have been more to the play than stepping off, and faking the throw and then oscar award winning acting.

 

If both the runner and the coach have tunnel vision on the pitcher's feet, then I could see where it could happen. The only difference there is that if it's such a good "move" to first by the pitcher, you could have the runner diving back into the bag. That extra time needed to get back on their feet might be all that's needed for the coach and/or runner to realize the ball's not where they think it is...and may not wander far enough off the bag for the pitcher to come make the tag.

If both the runner and the coach have tunnel vision on the pitcher's feet, then I could see where it could happen. The only difference there is that if it's such a good "move" to first by the pitcher, you could have the runner diving back into the bag. That extra time needed to get back on their feet might be all that's needed for the coach and/or runner to realize the ball's not where they think it is...and may not wander far enough off the bag for the pitcher to come make the tag.

 

You would have to depend on the runner getting up and breaking for second and get him there (the first baseman is chasing after the imaginary ball and not going to be on first for a throw). And I just can't imagine a first base coach not seeing the ball wasn't thrown. Unless there is another player coaching first, then I could see this working.

 

Now I have seen the hidden ball trick working at first. Batter reaches on an infield hit where the first baseman ends up with the ball. First baseman runs over to "hand" the ball to the pitcher, but keeps. Walks back to the bag, waits for the runner to take his lead and tags him. For this to work, the pitcher can't go anywhere near the rubber, or else it's illegal.

Yep it's within the rules. But it does straddle the border of what some consider "bush league" stuff, like fake tags, a runner yelling "I got it" while an infielder is attempting to catch a fly ball, etc. I don't like those "deception" plays in baseball. But as I said before, well coached, attentive teams, don't get caught by these moves. So while I'd never use them, I'd certainly practice like teams would use them against my team. And if you use them against my team and they work, shame on me.

 

Those plays you reference are obstruction in high school.

 

Clyde beat me to it. Totally different. I've done the chat with first baseman and secretly hand him the ball. All is fine as long as pitcher does not get on the rubber.

I read the rule books, knew what you could do and not do.

I also bent a rule during a flag football game in college. Read the rules, had the play happen during a punt/return. Refs threw a flag and was going to penalize our team. I pulled out the rule book and he ended up calling off sides on the other team. The rule was rewritten the next year. :sssh:

I don't think it's "bush league."

 

I like it a whole lot better than a batter dropping his bat and grabbing at his face and yelling...as if something is hurting his eye...just as the pitcher starts to release the ball. Hard for the pitcher not to balk.