Trick Baseball Plays

[mack 44]

The ultimate dick move is pulled off too much, when there's a hit-and-run, ball's hit and the SS or 2B pretends to field a throw from the catcher and makes the runner slide.

[Jason Harris 31]

New Player, I realize that most teams would be too much in shock to think properly, but wouldn't the proper defence of that play be to throw to the second baseman at the bag, who then takes a step toward the runner -- or prepares to throw home? In seems that stepping toward the running would establish his base path between second base and where he is currently standing. If so, the second baseman would have to slowly advance toward the runner, effectively backing him toward first base, while also looking out for the other runners dash home.

Now here's a question. Let's say a team defended the play as I'm suggesting, and tries to corral the runner toward first. Is his basepath still between first base and right field? In other words, if he got caught in a rundown, would he be going back and forth in that direction?

[New Player 0]

New Player, I realize that most teams would be too much in shock to think properly, but wouldn't the proper defence of that play be to throw to the second baseman at the bag, who then takes a step toward the runner -- or prepares to throw home? In seems that stepping toward the running would establish his base path between second base and where he is currently standing. If so, the second baseman would have to slowly advance toward the runner, effectively backing him toward first base, while also looking out for the other runners dash home.

Now here's a question. Let's say a team defended the play as I'm suggesting, and tries to corral the runner toward first. Is his basepath still between first base and right field? In other words, if he got caught in a rundown, would he be going back and forth in that direction?

If the play was deffenced as you suggest, the second baseman would take the throw from the pitcher and advance toward the runner while looking toward 3rd checking on him.

Throwing the ball to second will allow the runner on 3rd to at least double his lead. Then advancing the ball toward the runner in the outfield allows the runner on 3rd additional steps toward home. The runner on third is going to wait till you get as close as possible to the runner (and as far as possible away from him) in the outfield before he breaks to home. The runner in the outfield is just going to stand there as he is in no way obligated to run at any time. Just if he does run it must be toward either 1st or 2nd, any other move and he's out.

Should they get close enough to tag the runner and a rundown starts. of course he's going to wait till the last second and take a straight line toward 1st. if the second baseman throws the ball to first, baseline automatically changes to where the runner currently is to a directline to second since that obviously his next move. Every throw to a new fielder changes the baseline. Also should they stop the rundown and and throw home or start to run at the runner on third, they abandon their play on the runner between 1st and 2nd.

There are alot of baseball rules that the average player, manager, and even umps don't know. Try this one on for size. Lets say there are runners on 1st and 2nd. There is a left handed pitcher on the mound. He throws to 1st (which I know he probably wouldn't do but stay with me). In the act of doing this he balks and the ump calls this immediatly. But he also threw the ball down the right field line. While both runners are entitled to one base, they are free to advance further at their own risk and the ball is still live. So the runner on 1st could score if the deffence thinks it's a dead ball and don't hustle after it.

We are used to seeing that play being called with the pitcher or 1st baseman holding the ball. And the ump will call time and allow both runners to advance one base. Situation changes if the deffence doesn't have control of the ball anymore. It would also be the same deal had he threw to the plate wildly and a balk been called.

[93mom 0]

i've seen a funny one in little league where bases are loaded, kid on first pretends to be confused and try to steal second, rest of the kids yell "get back, what are you doing!?" but the runner continues to act dumb and the defensive team can't really figure out what to do, try to throw the "confused" runner out but both times i've seen it done, they're so confused that the ball is either overthrown or they waste time putting him in a pickle and a runner or two ends up scoring.

its pretty funny if the initial runner is a good actor

[Guy Incognito 0]

Haha.. that's a good one for kids. :)