Similarly I have a situation that happened over the weekend at a tournament for a 13U team at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen MD.
Runners on first and second 1 out. Ground ball to short, flip to second for the force and the throw from second to first is late. Runner from second stops and is standing on third. Firstbaseman throws ball to pitcher on mound. As the pitcher waits for the retired runner to jog off the field between he and third base... the runner on third slowly jogs down the line and crosses paths with retired runner about 2/3 down line toward home. Before anyone realizes, the runner touches home and scores. Or does he. Granted the pitcher had the ball in his hand, he seemed focused on the retired runner... who as I said then crossed paths with runner jogging home. Should that be dead ball as the retired runner passes the pitcher in a potential field of play?
In your opinion, do you think the opposing coaches had practiced and preplanned that situation? If so, it's in the same poor taste as the hidden ball trick is not?
Thanks!