Third baseman fooling the runner without fake tagging

[Guest Mk87]

Without faking a tag, slapping the glove, or committing any verbal obstruction, can the third baseman act as if the ball is being thrown to him? I. Getting into a ready position, pretending to scoop the ball, jumping as if it was a high throw over your head, faking a throw to 2nd base, or basically anything that would deceive the runner. For example, the runner is running towards third, (well off the baseline so as to not interefere) i dive /move toward left field in an attempt to simulate an errant throw getting passed me. Hopefully, this will entice the runner to run home when the situation would not be favorable to do so.

[Senor Azul]

From the 2016 Baseball Rule Differences by Carl Childress (section 372, p. 249):

FED only. As B1 is streaking between first and second following a hit to the outfield, F4 pounds his glove as if about to receive a throw. BR slows down and stops on second. Ruling:  F4’s action is not a fake tag but a legal decoy.

FED Official Interpretation:  Hopkins:  Any verbal decoy, such as “I’ve got it,” is obstruction. (Website 2001 #14)

Official Interpretation:  Rumble:  As the catcher throws a pop fly to F4 with a runner stealing, if a team member bangs bats together to simulate the sound of the batted ball, the umpire calls obstruction and ejects the offender. (Website 1999 #6)

Note:  The interpretation—by inference—legitimizes the catcher’s pop fly. “Because of the clanging of bats, obstruction will be called” is the language of the ruling. But the second baseman must not augment his acting with verbal communication.

Note: Almost all physical decoys, “dekes” as they are called, are legal: pretending to field a grounder, catch a popup, glove a throw, or throwing a “popup” into the air on a steal. The one physical decoy that’s forbidden is the fake tag.

[noumpere]

A "fake tag" is a "fake tag."  Don't try to extend that rule to other situations.

[maven]

The purpose of the fake tag rule is to prevent unnecessary slides, which are a primary cause of injury in baseball.

Dekes that slow down runners are otherwise legal.

[Thatsnotyou]

1 hour ago, maven said:

The purpose of the fake tag rule is to prevent unnecessary slides, which are a primary cause of injury in baseball.

Dekes that slow down runners are otherwise legal.

It's odd that faking receiving a throw isn't illegal, if that's the rationale, because as soon as a base runner thinks a fielder is in position to get the throw on a steal, he's going to slide. The damage has already been done. He's not waiting for a tag attempt to start his slide.

[Velho]

New here so not sure anyone cares too much, but fwiw... in Little League even the decoy is illegal and considered obstruction.

[Jimurray]

33 minutes ago, Velho said:

New here so not sure anyone cares too much, but fwiw... in Little League even the decoy is illegal and considered obstruction.

Do you have access to the RIM:

"ÎÎ A “fake tag” is a dangerous play and must not be allowed to continue. In addition to the calling of obstruction, the player and team should be warned. Further
instances could result in ejection.
ÎÎ There is a difference between a “decoy” and a “fake tag.” A decoy results in confusing the base runner who is not watching his/her base coaches A fake tag
results in the player sliding when he/she doesn’t have to slide."

[Velho]

Thanks for the detail. I was (poorly) referring to a decoy that causes the player to slide, e.g. act like your about it catch the ball and tag the runner out.

 

add : and now that I figured out what you meant by "RIM" I registered and have access. Thank you much @Jimurray