Hidden Ball Trick

[Mudder]

After all these years I finally had a game where the hidden ball trick was executed successfully

16-18 yr old Rec Ball (decent ball) I'm BU in C, R2, 2 out, Ball 4 to the Batter, he is very slow in starting to get down to 1B, (throwing his bat to the on deck circle, removing his batting gloves, etc), F2 throws ball back to F1, F1 (who is not on the rubber) receives the throw and very quickly in 1 motion throws the ball the F3, who is about 15-20 off 1B, then turns quickly and starts stretching out his arm on the mound. F3 catches it very casually and starts slowly walking to 1B to assume his position to begin holding the runner who just walked.

I see this and notice that nobody else in the ball park has seen this....not the batter, not R2, not the 1B coach, and nobody from the dugouts, not even PU. I figure out what they're up to and my eyes go immediately to the pitcher to see if he is on the rubber, he is on the mound but nowhere near the rubber the entire time, he has his back to 1B and is stretching out his arm. BR finally gets to 1B and is standing about 6" off the bag facing F1, F3 walks behind him to set up to hold R1 (of course with the ball in his glove). F1 is still stretching out his arm nowhere near the rubber. As soon as I see R1 commit the cardinal sin of starting his leadoff without the pitcher being on the rubber, I think to myself "they're gonna get him". F3 is standing next to R1 on the home plate side of 1B for a good 4-5 seconds before he finally lays the tag on him, and I punch out R1!

There's mass confusion from the offensive dugout and R1, "who's out, what, what's going on!!" Offensive coach starts complaining "he can't do that, the pitcher's on the mound" thats a bulls##t call, thats a bush league play, etc, etc."

It was very nicely done. Like the old saying goes...never take your eye off the ball, even during a relaxed moment anything can happen

[cyclonehokiece]

There's mass confusion from the offensive dugout and R1, "who's out, what, what's going on!!" Offensive coach starts complaining "he can't do that, the pitcher's on the mound" thats a bulls##t call, thats a bush league play, etc, etc."

It may be bush, but we don't enforce that code unless it is unsportsmanlike. The hidden ball trick is not, it is part of the game.

[Rich Ives]

Warning:

In OBR the play was good.

In FED the pitcher cannot be within "about 5 feet" of the rubber.

In NCAA the pitcher cannot be on the dirt.

[Mudder]

Warning:

In OBR the play was good.

In FED the pitcher cannot be within "about 5 feet" of the rubber.

In NCAA the pitcher cannot be on the dirt.

This was OBR, but thanks did not know about the FED and NCAA rules.

[Dannytheman]

I love a good story with a happy ending!!! Nice job seeing the set up!

[BigSimonia]

There's mass confusion from the offensive dugout and R1, "who's out, what, what's going on!!" Offensive coach starts complaining "he can't do that, the pitcher's on the mound" thats a bulls##t call, thats a bush league play, etc, etc."

It may be bush, but we don't enforce that code unless it is unsportsmanlike. The hidden ball trick is not, it is part of the game.

It's legal. It's not unsportsmanlike. We enforce the rules and not make up our own based on some goofy concept like "it's bush". And R1 is out.

[mstaylor]

Good stuff, it's a good play when they do it correctly.

[grayhawk]

Runners should always remember that the hidden ball trick can't possibly work on you if you stay on your base until the pitcher is on the rubber. It's just that simple. Great job on seeing it all unfold.

[SoCal Lurker]

After all these years I finally had a game where the hidden ball trick was executed successfully

16-18 yr old Rec Ball (decent ball) I'm BU in C, R2, 2 out, Ball 4 to the Batter, he is very slow in starting to get down to 1B, (throwing his bat to the on deck circle, removing his batting gloves, etc), F2 throws ball back to F1, F1 (who is not on the rubber) receives the throw and very quickly in 1 motion throws the ball the F3, who is about 15-20 off 1B, then turns quickly and starts stretching out his arm on the mound. F3 catches it very casually and starts slowly walking to 1B to assume his position to begin holding the runner who just walked.

I see this and notice that nobody else in the ball park has seen this....not the batter, not R2, not the 1B coach, and nobody from the dugouts, not even PU. I figure out what they're up to and my eyes go immediately to the pitcher to see if he is on the rubber, he is on the mound but nowhere near the rubber the entire time, he has his back to 1B and is stretching out his arm. BR finally gets to 1B and is standing about 6" off the bag facing F1, F3 walks behind him to set up to hold R1 (of course with the ball in his glove). F1 is still stretching out his arm nowhere near the rubber. As soon as I see R1 commit the cardinal sin of starting his leadoff without the pitcher being on the rubber, I think to myself "they're gonna get him". F3 is standing next to R1 on the home plate side of 1B for a good 4-5 seconds before he finally lays the tag on him, and I punch out R1!

There's mass confusion from the offensive dugout and R1, "who's out, what, what's going on!!" Offensive coach starts complaining "he can't do that, the pitcher's on the mound" thats a bulls##t call, thats a bush league play, etc, etc."

It was very nicely done. Like the old saying goes...never take your eye off the ball, even during a relaxed moment anything can happen

C'mon -- play is dead on a walk!!

Just kidding.

[Jocko]

After all these years I finally had a game where the hidden ball trick was executed successfully

16-18 yr old Rec Ball (decent ball) I'm BU in C, R2, 2 out, Ball 4 to the Batter, he is very slow in starting to get down to 1B, (throwing his bat to the on deck circle, removing his batting gloves, etc), F2 throws ball back to F1, F1 (who is not on the rubber) receives the throw and very quickly in 1 motion throws the ball the F3, who is about 15-20 off 1B, then turns quickly and starts stretching out his arm on the mound. F3 catches it very casually and starts slowly walking to 1B to assume his position to begin holding the runner who just walked.

I see this and notice that nobody else in the ball park has seen this....not the batter, not R2, not the 1B coach, and nobody from the dugouts, not even PU. I figure out what they're up to and my eyes go immediately to the pitcher to see if he is on the rubber, he is on the mound but nowhere near the rubber the entire time, he has his back to 1B and is stretching out his arm. BR finally gets to 1B and is standing about 6" off the bag facing F1, F3 walks behind him to set up to hold R1 (of course with the ball in his glove). F1 is still stretching out his arm nowhere near the rubber. As soon as I see R1 commit the cardinal sin of starting his leadoff without the pitcher being on the rubber, I think to myself "they're gonna get him". F3 is standing next to R1 on the home plate side of 1B for a good 4-5 seconds before he finally lays the tag on him, and I punch out R1!

There's mass confusion from the offensive dugout and R1, "who's out, what, what's going on!!" Offensive coach starts complaining "he can't do that, the pitcher's on the mound" thats a bulls##t call, thats a bush league play, etc, etc."

It was very nicely done. Like the old saying goes...never take your eye off the ball, even during a relaxed moment anything can happen

C'mon -- play is dead on a walk!!

Just kidding.

only if F1 got signs off the rubber and BU had the wrong count on his clicker

[BRUMP]

I love those calls where the umpire is the only one who sees it.

[renegadewolf]

Seems unfortunate that the only time anyone ever tries this when i am working is when time has been called.... I usually give em about 30 seconds before I tell the first baseman the pitcher has to have the ball and be on the rubber before I can put the ball back in play. They always seems so dissapointed

[mstaylor]

Seems unfortunate that the only time anyone ever tries this when i am working is when time has been called.... I usually give em about 30 seconds before I tell the first baseman the pitcher has to have the ball and be on the rubber before I can put the ball back in play. They always seems so dissapointed

I usually just say,"Boys, the ball is still dead."

[HWK34BB]

Mudder,

Excellent job with the situational awareness. I must share a similar hidden ball trick where my base/field partner was "clued in" and I, the PU, was not. This happened an NFHS national tournament: Top of 7th. Visitors chasing by one run. Runner at 2B, 1 out. Batter hits deep fly ball to center field, causing F8 to go back to the warning track. I rotate up 3rd base line to cover in the event F8 fails to make a catch. I was also convinced that R2 would advance to 3B on the catch since the fly ball was batted so deeply. F8 did catch the fly ball for out #2. I read the play. R2 tags up, stays put at 2B. I tell my partner, "I'm going back home". The ball is thrown to F6, who slowly trots back to the infield and apparently fakes a lob to the pitcher, retaining the ball. My partner is watching the entire time. R2 and base coaches are oblivious to it. Pitcher is just lingering along the backside of the mound, watching the next batter approach the batters box. As I am putting my mask back on and squaring up to receive the pitch, my partner is banging R2 out to end the game(R2 had drifted off 2nd base and F6 tagged him on the back). I see my partner trot off the field behind 1st base dugout, and, I see both dugouts clear to go shake hands. Me? I'm still standing behind home plate with that clueless "bibiddy-bibiddy-bibiddy" look on my face, asking myself what had just happened. I then caught some snap and made my way off the field.

[mrumpiresir]

I rotate up 3rd base line to cover in the event F8 fails to make a catch. R2 tags up, stays put at 2B. I tell my partner, "I'm going back home".

I hate to hijack the thread but is this the mechanic you guys usually use? With a runner on 2nd base and a fly ball to the outfield, the BU should have the catch, the tag up at second and the susequent play at third. The PU stays home. At least that's the way we do it here and it makes more sense. If there is an overthrow at third base the PU is already in position and does not have to hustle to the plate to make the call.

Comments?

[renegadewolf]

I rotate up 3rd base line to cover in the event F8 fails to make a catch. R2 tags up, stays put at 2B. I tell my partner, "I'm going back home".

I hate to hijack the thread but is this the mechanic you guys usually use? With a runner on 2nd base and a fly ball to the outfield, the BU should have the catch, the tag up at second and the susequent play at third. The PU stays home. At least that's the way we do it here and it makes more sense. If there is an overthrow at third base the PU is already in position and does not have to hustle to the plate to make the call.

Comments?

Depends where the fly to the outfield is. Strictly speaking if the fly is to the far sides of either field (outside of the "cone" area in the middle" that is the PU call and BU has the runners. Even when the fly is into the cone BU still has call on the tag up at 2 .

[noumpere]

Depends where the fly to the outfield is. Strictly speaking if the fly is to the far sides of either field (outside of the "cone" area in the middle" that is the PU call and BU has the runners. Even when the fly is into the cone BU still has call on the tag up at 2 .

The point of mrumpiresirs post was who has the tagup at second and the play into third and not who has the catch. I think the HS manual has PU taking it as in the play being discussed. Other manuals do not and even where the HS manual is generally being used this specific mechanic might not be.

[mstaylor]

R2 only, it's the BU, add a R1 and it's the PU's.

[Jimurray]

R2 only, it's the BU, add a R1 and it's the PU's.

TASO FED mechanics have R2 only tag at 3B as PU, everybody else has that as BU until you add R1, when it becomes PU again.

Kind of splitting hairs. Pregame it. Just don't do that BU to home rotation.

[JaxRolo]

We have PU take the play at 3rd with r2 or R1 r2

[Jocko]

We have PU take the play at 3rd with r2 or R1 r2

only with less than 2 outs, right?

[JaxRolo]

We have PU take the play at 3rd with r2 or R1 r2

only with less than 2 outs, right?

YES SIR!

[mstaylor]

We have PU take the play at 3rd with r2 or R1 r2

We used to do that but if it is caught then there is no reason the U2 can't take him to third. With R1,R2, the U2 stays at second for a possible advance by R1.

[jpperez14]

After all these years I finally had a game where the hidden ball trick was executed successfully

16-18 yr old Rec Ball (decent ball) I'm BU in C, R2, 2 out, Ball 4 to the Batter, he is very slow in starting to get down to 1B, (throwing his bat to the on deck circle, removing his batting gloves, etc), F2 throws ball back to F1, F1 (who is not on the rubber) receives the throw and very quickly in 1 motion throws the ball the F3, who is about 15-20 off 1B, then turns quickly and starts stretching out his arm on the mound. F3 catches it very casually and starts slowly walking to 1B to assume his position to begin holding the runner who just walked.

I see this and notice that nobody else in the ball park has seen this....not the batter, not R2, not the 1B coach, and nobody from the dugouts, not even PU. I figure out what they're up to and my eyes go immediately to the pitcher to see if he is on the rubber, he is on the mound but nowhere near the rubber the entire time, he has his back to 1B and is stretching out his arm. BR finally gets to 1B and is standing about 6" off the bag facing F1, F3 walks behind him to set up to hold R1 (of course with the ball in his glove). F1 is still stretching out his arm nowhere near the rubber. As soon as I see R1 commit the cardinal sin of starting his leadoff without the pitcher being on the rubber, I think to myself "they're gonna get him". F3 is standing next to R1 on the home plate side of 1B for a good 4-5 seconds before he finally lays the tag on him, and I punch out R1!

There's mass confusion from the offensive dugout and R1, "who's out, what, what's going on!!" Offensive coach starts complaining "he can't do that, the pitcher's on the mound" thats a bulls##t call, thats a bush league play, etc, etc."

It was very nicely done. Like the old saying goes...never take your eye off the ball, even during a relaxed moment anything can happen

I would of called a balk, pitcher cannot be anywhere on the dirt circle on the mound without the ball. thats what ive always gone on and i believe its in the MLB rule book too.

[Jimurray]

After all these years I finally had a game where the hidden ball trick was executed successfully

16-18 yr old Rec Ball (decent ball) I'm BU in C, R2, 2 out, Ball 4 to the Batter, he is very slow in starting to get down to 1B, (throwing his bat to the on deck circle, removing his batting gloves, etc), F2 throws ball back to F1, F1 (who is not on the rubber) receives the throw and very quickly in 1 motion throws the ball the F3, who is about 15-20 off 1B, then turns quickly and starts stretching out his arm on the mound. F3 catches it very casually and starts slowly walking to 1B to assume his position to begin holding the runner who just walked.

I see this and notice that nobody else in the ball park has seen this....not the batter, not R2, not the 1B coach, and nobody from the dugouts, not even PU. I figure out what they're up to and my eyes go immediately to the pitcher to see if he is on the rubber, he is on the mound but nowhere near the rubber the entire time, he has his back to 1B and is stretching out his arm. BR finally gets to 1B and is standing about 6" off the bag facing F1, F3 walks behind him to set up to hold R1 (of course with the ball in his glove). F1 is still stretching out his arm nowhere near the rubber. As soon as I see R1 commit the cardinal sin of starting his leadoff without the pitcher being on the rubber, I think to myself "they're gonna get him". F3 is standing next to R1 on the home plate side of 1B for a good 4-5 seconds before he finally lays the tag on him, and I punch out R1!

There's mass confusion from the offensive dugout and R1, "who's out, what, what's going on!!" Offensive coach starts complaining "he can't do that, the pitcher's on the mound" thats a bulls##t call, thats a bush league play, etc, etc."

It was very nicely done. Like the old saying goes...never take your eye off the ball, even during a relaxed moment anything can happen

I would of called a balk, pitcher cannot be anywhere on the dirt circle on the mound without the ball. thats what ive always gone on and i believe its in the MLB rule book too.

If you can get online then you can get the MLB OBR rulebook which would tell you that F1 has to be on or astride the rubber without the ball for a balk to be called. Your misconception might come from NCAA where that is the rule and high school which splits the difference as 5 feet from the rubber.