Does anyone know any cool trick baseball plays?

Question

I coach a little league team and we are in the championship.

Answer 1

In my high school my coach taught me to step behind the rubber when a runner is on base, and just throw him out in a pickoff, if you have any kids with strong enough arms then try to teach them the proper mechanics to throw a pickoff move, if these kids arn't old enough, then you probabley shouldn't try to teach them trick plays, when kids are younger it's about fundamentals more than anything.
At my high school, there are kids that think they can do tricky stuff, but that just gets them into trouble, and earns them plenty of bech warming time.

Answer 2

The Miami Play is a good one. Smart@ss or the guy before told you about it.

This is where there is a runner at 2nd and you fake the throw back, and you have 2nd, short, CF all running toward the ball.

In Little League, there should not be a balk, because the intent to deceive a runner is not there, because there are no leadoffs. This play would have to be done after a pitch.

Another good one, if you are trying to push across a run. Guy on first and third. When the pitch is thrown, have the runner run into right field. When the throw is made or the play is made near second he has to stop, so he does not forfeit his right to the basepath. then there is more room for a run down and it makes it easier to score the guy at third.

You can also have the runner on 1st fall down half way to 2nd, but you most of the time will not get a throw till late or they can throw it back to the pitch, which makes it easy to defend.

Like the guy before me said, you must be careful, because this takes away from the integrity of the game and can lead to an unsportsman called out, and possible ejection, but it is little league and shouldnt happen.

Baseball is still pure to those kids.

Answer 3

The hidden ball trick is a great trick if a runner is on base. For example the runner is on first. Call the infielders in and have a "talk" meanwhile have the pitcher sneak the ball to the first baseman, don't let anyone see. Then have the pitcher stand off the rubber and act like he's got the ball in his glove. The pitcher can put the glove up to his chest and act like he's reading signs from the catcher. Make sure the pitcher is off the rubber though, otherwise it is illegal. Then everyone goes back to their positions. The runner leads off and then the first baseman tags the runner and he's out. It works well if the pitcher is a good actor and the first baseman sells it well. Also if you are batting and you get walked touch first and keep running to second, many people don't expect it, but it is legal just make sure the pitcher and catcher are not paying attention.

Answer 4

If the other team has someone on 1st, have your pitcher step off the back of the rubber and fake the throw to first. The first baseman dives sorta to the side of the baserunner, just kind of letting him know that he's trying to get the ball. The left fielder runs towards the 1st base line yelling get the ball and so on. The second baseman does the same thing and the runner typically will take off for second. The pitcher has the ball the whole time and the out is fairly easy and an easy trick play to pull off. The umpires should be told of the play before the inning that you might run the play because the other team will contest that the pitcher can't fake the throw to first base. You can however, fake the throw if you step off the rubber.

Answer 5

be very very careful of trick plays, umpires don't like them. there are many technicalities in the rules that they can nail you on, not to mention, sometimes they will just say its unsportsman like conduct and eject you or the player. Although they may technically be wrong according to the rule book, what are you going to do about it?

be very careful of the hidden ball trick mentioned above, it is a balk to stand on the rubber or make any motion associated with the pitch without having the ball. Most umpires interpret this to include taking signs from behind the rubber (which is illegal anyway) and/or stradeling the rubber as though you are about to come to a set.

one trick that does work is a fake pick off, you can't do it to first, but I've seen it done to second base. the pitcher turns and makes a move to second for a pick off and makes a complete arm motion, but he never takes the ball out of his glove, the second baseman and shortstop both act as though they were caught off guard by the pick off move and quickly run toward the base and dive as though they are trying to stop the wild throw from going into center field, the center fielder goes running as though after the ball, if it works, the runner will get up and head for 3rd base, at which time the pitcher makes the easy throw to the 3rd baseman for the out.

Another trick is a fake intentional walk, it will only work once but have the catcher stand up with his arm out like its going to be an intentional walk, then throw a hard fastball right down the middle, you should get one free strike if it works.

these pretty much assume you are at the 13 year old and up level where runners can lead off, if you are at 12 and under with no leading off, there are very few trick plays available.

to the first person who answered: where the hell did you grow up? little league baseball is played in the spring, not the summer, and by mid june the only games left are playoffs. this question is legitamate, and your an idiot, stop answering questions for the points and say something useful.

Good Luck, and most of all, Have Fun.

Answer 6

Well first congratulations on being in the championships I also coach little league. Anyhow the coolest thing I have seen so far was something that happened to us. We had a kid slide into 2nd and when he did the base came out so he put his hand up to get the time out well all this time we figured the kid that caught the ball at 2nd threw it back to the pitcher well he didnt lol the pitcher is standing on the mound looking like he was going to pitch and our kid went to take his lead lol then the 2nd baseman reached out and tagged our kid leading off he kept the ball LOL. Now I have seen this play out before without the circumstances we had. We always tell our baseman to hold the ball for an extra second or 2 because little kids will inadvertantly go to take thier lead then your baseman can just tag them. Also if your baseman will just hold the ball on the sliding runners until they they stand up every now and them a kid will take thier foot off the bag and you can get the out. Other than that I'm not sure what other "tricks" there are

Answer 7

Okay..this was a very long time ago, but I remember doing some trick play (we are on defense) when there was a guy on first and a guy on third. If the guy on first was leading off and stealing the short stop would step up, the catcher would throw the ball to him, and as the guy on 3rd went running we would get him out. I think that's how it worked. It was basically baiting the 3rd baseman to run so we could get him out and not give up a run. Make sence?

Another good one was if a guy was on first, you have the pitcher go talk to him, or have a huddle w/ the first base and catcher. You find a way to get the ball to the first base man w/ out anyone seeing. When your guy goes back to first, and the player leads off, the first baseman tags him.

Answer 8

since its little league and there isnt any leading, hidden ball trick wont work

ive got a nice little one for ya called the "Wheel Play"

Defense. Runners on 1st and 2nd less than 2 outs and YOU KNOW the other team is bunting

the SS runs around to the 2B side of the bag and then sprints toward third. the 1B and 3B sprint in, and the 2B runs to cover first. the Pitcher throws the ball when the SS breaks for third.. this way you have the bunt covered on all 3 sides, and possible plays at first and third

Answer 9

I remember when I played little league my coach gave us this play where the pitcher goes to pick off the base runner on second base. (Use this one at night) He fakes the throw and puts the ball in his glove. Then right when he does that the shortstop and second baseman dive out towards second base to catch the ball. Then the center fielder runs back and yells "I got it" while both left and right fielders run for it also. Usually if played out correctly the man on second base will get confused and slowly move off the bag until his coach either falls for it or tells him to run. That's when the pitcher should run over and tag him.

Answer 10

yup

the florida marlins did this once there was a guy on third and the infielders had a meeting with the pitcher the pitcher secretly gave the ball to the 3rd baseman and they went back the pitcher kept his hand in his glove and the third baseman tagged the player on 3rd out when he took a short lead and it was legal and it worked