Favorite Trick Play

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

What is your favorite trick play?(hidden ball trick, etc...)

[E.Banks#14]

One that's has worked a few times for my team this year: With a runner on second, we have our CF come in slowly to pick the guy off. The SS and 2B just play in their regular spots and when the CF gets there, the pitcher guns him down.

[Kroxquo]

When my dad coached high school ball, he had a play that would occasionally work, but he said that you really have to have the right guy catching. The play went like this. The pitcher walks the batter (this even walked on an intentional walk one time). Catcher takes the ball and starts walking back in the direction of the mound keeping up a chatter with the pitcher - "Shake it off, no problem, let's get the next guy, etc." Meanwhile he's keeping an eye on the batter, who if he goes even a little past first base or leaves the base at all, the catcher throws over for the tag. It was really neat when it worked.

[YankeesCatcher]

Hey! That's pretty cool.

My favorite trick play is anything that will piss off the umpire...

[Bluesteve32]

Originally Posted by YankeesCatcher

Hey! That's pretty cool.

My favorite trick play is anything that will piss off the umpire...

You are a catcher, right? Of anyone on the field, you ought ot get a rapport with the umpire and be very friendly with him. Protect him from getting hit and he will warn you if the pitcher is doing something illegal like not coming set and other infractions rathing than balking him or calling some other infraction.

You piss him off, you may not get borderline calls and he'll be more than happy to balk your pitcher. Of course, if you really tick him off, you may end up watching the rest of the game.

Oh yeah, while we are at it, do publically humiliate an umpire like when coach ask where was that pitch and tell him "on the corner" or something like that. Say "outside" and in the dugout he missed that pitch. Often an umpire will admit that he missed a pitch to you, that is if he trusts you.

This about what you do out there. Those guys are human too, and must put up with too much (excrement) way too often.

[ElHalo]

My favorite trick play is when the third baseman grabs hold of the belt of a guy who's tagging on a pop fly, preventing him from getting a jump on the ball.

[Bluesteve32]

Originally Posted by ElHalo

My favorite trick play is when the third baseman grabs hold of the belt of a guy who's tagging on a pop fly, preventing him from getting a jump on the ball.

John McGraw was know for that. One day his opponant unbuckled his belt and was left hanging on to a blet according to one story.

[YankeesCatcher]

Originally Posted by Bluesteve32

You are a catcher, right? Of anyone on the field, you ought ot get a rapport with the umpire and be very friendly with him. Protect him from getting hit and he will warn you if the pitcher is doing something illegal like not coming set and other infractions rathing than balking him or calling some other infraction.

You piss him off, you may not get borderline calls and he'll be more than happy to balk your pitcher. Of course, if you really tick him off, you may end up watching the rest of the game.

Oh yeah, while we are at it, do publically humiliate an umpire like when coach ask where was that pitch and tell him "on the corner" or something like that. Say "outside" and in the dugout he missed that pitch. Often an umpire will admit that he missed a pitch to you, that is if he trusts you.

This about what you do out there. Those guys are human too, and must put up with too much (excrement) way too often.

Nah I was joking, I never piss off the umpire, it's always yes sir or no sir.

He even tells me where to pitch batters sometimes....

[Bluesteve32]

Originally Posted by YankeesCatcher

Nah I was joking, I never piss off the umpire, it's always yes sir or no sir.

He even tells me where to pitch batters sometimes....

Ok, that's good.

[masterchief2402]

I like the hidden ball trick myself. Standard, not really complex, and I've pulled it off a couple times at first.

[Bluesteve32]

Originally Posted by masterchief2402

I like the hidden ball trick myself. Standard, not really complex, and I've pulled it off a couple times at first.

Doing it right and not balking is a great play. Also you can't do it after a dead ball, but in youth leagues you may get away with it.

[wogdoggy]

favorite trick play? FIRST PITCH STRIKES THREE UP THREE DOWN.trick plays are for the weak?

[Utter Chaos]

I have two from back in the day.

1) With a runner on first, have the pitcher pitch from a stretch but never look over there but instead look at the 3rd baseman. The 3B counts the steps on the runner's lead. Usually each pitch the runner takes a bigger lead than before. When the 3B reaches a certain number (like 4 or 5) the pitcher throws over to first and picks the guy off.

2) The other play is when there's a runner on 2nd. The shortstops distracts the runner by throw a pebble or kicking dirt to the runners right. When the runner turns his head to see what's going on the SS cuts to the bag and the pitcher throws to pick him off.

[TwelveGage]

not really a trick play, but back when I pitched, I'd work that 45 degree angle you're allowed when doing a pick off at third. Come up and put my foot down right at 45 degrees and catch the runner standing stupid, the coaches would get so pissed, but for one the umps liked me, and 2, i was in the clear. another thing i liked to do when pitching was pull a "Nomo". not really a trick play again, but it'd keep the guy on second honest.

[wilbur775]

the best trick play i have seen was "oh ****". my high school team ran it quite often(even against one team twice and it worked both times). with a runner on second the pitcher picks to second but in stead of throwing the ball he leaves it in his glove. the short stop and second run into the outfield gap and so do the out fielders. meanwhile the first baseman covers second and the runner is caught trying to take third. classic

[MPAAshortstop23]

not sure if this is a balk or not, but here we go. just thought this up during some past games, and it really would have worked, if it's not a balk.

runner on second, and you know for a fact that he's running, perhaps its a 3-2, 2 outs or maybe youve stolen a sign and know hes takin off to third. pitcher comes from the stretch of course, but insted of a slidestep move, you move to the normal stretch. lift the leg, runner decides you've commited, and the pitcher picks off to third, catchign the runner dead or forcing a hotbox... any feedback?

[nothing but baseball]

Yeah thats what I was just about to post. Ive never brought it up to the pitcher but it would for sure work.

[mobile eggroll]

balk u can't pick to an unoccupied base

[E.Banks#14]

I just thought of this today watching the game on ESPN. Runner at third. Flyball to any OF, deep enough for the guy to tag. Hold your glove up like you're gonna catch it above your head, but at the last second, drop your glove down to make a basket catch. If the runner was timing your catch and watching the baseline instead of watching the OF, he will leave early and the defense could appeal at third.

[wogdoggy]

sorry ,my bad boys

[WinOrDieTrying12]

YEAH! i'VE DONE THE CENTERFIELD TRICK MANY TIMES. sO MANY TIMES EVERYTIME WE PLAYED SOMEONE THE RUNNER WOULD JUST LOOK AT ME. iT WAS GREAT. aNOTHER ONE WAS THE HIDDEN TRICK PLAY. iT ONCE WON US A wORLD sERIES VICTORY. i FELT BAD FOR THE KID WE DID IT TO


gO wHITE sOX!!!!!!

[warriorxlegolas]

Originally Posted by mobile eggroll

balk u can't pick to an unoccupied base

You sure about that???
If he is running I believe you can throw to third. Or do you have to step off first???

Fishers Webb

[Bluesteve32]

Originally Posted by mobile eggroll

balk u can't pick to an unoccupied base

Nope, 8.05d says it is a balk to throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play. If the runner breaks to third, the pithcer may step, and throw to third without disengaging the rubber.

NFHS and NCAA rules concur.

[mobile eggroll]

there is no play since the runner is not even remotely close to the bag, therefore it is still a balk. infact i saw it called tonight by an experienced umpire. runner on first breaks for second. pitcher spins on the mound an throws to second but tis an overthrow, umpire still calls a balk an the runner goes to second.

also what would be the reasoning behind the rule, when are u not going to pick to an unoccupied base to make a play?

[BristolBoy]

Humour a novice of the game - what exactly is the hidden ball trick? I've heard it mentioned a few times but I've no idea what's involved. Baseman has the ball in his mitt unknown to a runner, and then tags him while he's taking his lead?