Successful hidden ball trick

The clip link didn't work but you are correct, in HS he can't be with-in five feet of the rubber without the ball. In Pro it's on or atride the rubber.

Thanks MST - I hope you can get the link to work because I'm thinking he was inside the 5 feet but it's close. Then again the field ump watches the whole time so I guess he feels he was outside of the 5 feet.

Also it seems that the 2B says something to the runner to get him to step off the bag. Isn't that some sort of rules violation as well? You can't tell if he does or doesn't say anything but it just looks like he did.

Pretty interesting play and I hope you can get it to work.

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:

Hey guys this was posted on the main forum and a couple of us were wondering if this violated a rule or something. One guy said a team tried it against him but it was a balk because he was on the mound. I was thinking if he is within 5 feet of the mound / rubber then it's a violation (not sure if it's a balk or not).

What is the rule on this?

Thanks guys

Like Michael said, in HS it's 5' from the rubber. Most umpires, in lieu of a tape measure, use the dirt area of the mound as their guide.

I couldn't open it either.

In HS if the fielder intices him off the bag then that's verbal obstruction, the runner gets a base and the fielder gets a warning. Repeat offense is an ejection.
The link is sending to the video site but it says is temporarily out of order. If you can access it maybe you can move it to youtube or photobucket for a new link.

I can see the video. The pitcher was not within 5 feet, and was tying his shoes, while resting on one knee, and then the other.

Nowhere close to a balk, in my opnion.

3FG, what is the trick to get the video to open?

I tried and got an error as well...

This video is also posted in the general forum and the link to the video is working there.

Hidden Ball Trick
Here is a working clip.
Three things:
1. The pitcher is fine, definitely farther than 5ft.
2. If the F4 enticed him off the bag verbally then it should be verbal obstruction, third base.
3. Never wear long sleeves under a short sleeve shirt.

Found it interesting that the ump didn't call time out to clean the plate. I always do. Don't want something happening behind me that I can't see.

quote:

Originally posted by pilsner:
Found it interesting that the ump didn't call time out to clean the plate. I always do. Don't want something happening behind me that I can't see.

Do you work without a partner?

pilsner, I always call time to wipe the plate also! Don't want a pitcher to throw the ball either!

We were always told even in minor league training to call time when you are turning your back to the field. Anything that happens when your back is turned is bad news. I know some of you say it speeds the game up but it also opens the door for controversy.
In this case, there had to be something said that caused the runner to move off the bag and that is obstruction. But it seems the umpire in the field knew it was coming because he is standing right there waiting for something to happen.
Also, who doesn't call time for the pitcher to tie his shoe?

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Connell:
We were always told even in minor league training to call time when you are turning your back to the field. Anything that happens when your back is turned is bad news. I know some of you say it speeds the game up but it also opens the door for controversy.
In this case, there had to be something said that caused the runner to move off the bag and that is obstruction. But it seems the umpire in the field knew it was coming because he is standing right there waiting for something to happen.
Also, who doesn't call time for the pitcher to tie his shoe?

We've had different experiences working MiLB ball, then.

I am not concerned about the length of the game. I am concerned with the "flow" of the game. A good flow benefits both teams. When time is called, players tend to wander, mentally and physically. Limiting that is good for the game. It's the same thing when a batter steps in with his hand up. I will not call time. I WILL protect him if I see the pitcher is goint to try to take advantage of the situation by calling time at that point, but that, in my experience is one out of 100 instances.

Our association trains that, when you have a partner, time is not called for cleaning the plate. We have two sets of eyes, at least, and the BU knows the field is his when his partner cleans the plate.

I'll be happy to grant time for F1 to tie his shoe, if he asks. However, if he ties his shoe and does not request time, he get what he asks for. In this case, a live ball hidden-ball trick. In rare cases, a runner taking advantage of him. I am not the 10th defensive or the 10th offensive player, and none of this is a safety issue.

quote:

Our association trains that, when you have a partner, time is not called for cleaning the plate.

Ours trains that we always call time out when cleaning the plate. (with runners) Simply a difference in approach.

I don't believe the game flow is affected when time is called for the few seconds it takes to clean the plate. The batter isn't going to get into the box until the ump is done anyway...and certainly wouldn't want my back to the action with a runner at third who decided to make a break for the plate.

quote:

Originally posted by pilsner:

I don't believe the game flow is affected when time is called for the few seconds it takes to clean the plate. The batter isn't going to get into the box until the ump is done anyway...and certainly wouldn't want my back to the action with a runner at third who decided to make a break for the plate.

You have created an unnecessary dead ball. There is zero flow when the game is stopped.