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Trick Plays are part of the game of baseball. Sooner are later every coach will either use one or face a team that
uses them. Some are smart, some are "shady" and some are just plain "cheating". Even if you choose not to use any
trick plays, you should make sure that you are aware of any trickery that may be used by an opposing team and coach.
Don't get fooled!
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| Some are just smart baseball. |
Name - "Deep Outfield Lead at First" or "Skunk in the Outfield"
Type Play - Offensive
Situation - "Runners at 1B and 3B"
Objective - This play can be run by the offensive team to:
- Use as a "Safety Steal"
- Force a defensive "blunder" and score the runner from 3rd base.
Details:
The unique thing about this play is where the 1B runner takes his lead. The firstbase runner will take
his lead in the outfield. Do not confuse this play with the typical "cat and mouse" or "get in a
rundown" play often ran by offensive teams to score a runner from thirdbase. In this play the firstbase runner
will take his lead 15-20 feet out on the "outfield grass" half-way between firstbase and secondbase. This lead
location will put the runner approximately 65 feet from both firstbase and secondbase. The runner will simply
turn and sprint to this "spot" when he take his lead.
When the firstbase gets to his "lead location" the runner will "hold the spot" until a defender,
with the baseball, approaches him and is within 15 feet. He should make sure that when he makes a move,
he goes directly toward firstbase or secondbase. He must not take a step back under any circumstance. A step
backwards will make him in violation of the "base path rule". The "base path rule" is not enforcable until a runner is
attempting to avoid a tag or play by the defender. If a runner leaves the base path to avoid a tag or play by a defender,
he is out. Many people misinterpret this rule. This rule in no way restricts where a runner may take his lead. He can
legally take his lead anywhere he wishes. The runner's base path to firstbase or secondbase is determined by where he is
when the defense begins to make a play on him.
If the defense makes no play on the firstbase runner, he will sprint directly to secondbase as quickly as
he can on the next pitch. He has used the play to easily steal second safely. If the defense makes a
play on the runner he will not panic but will rather hold his spot and wi break at the last possible moment.
The thirdbase runner will take a safe but aggressive lead and will read the actions of the defense. When
the thirdbase runner or coach feels that the defense has moved out of position or has taken the ball too far
out to make the play at home, the runner will break and attempt to score. Copyrighted Dixon 1999
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1st and 3rd - "Stop and See" Steal
Type Play - Offensive
Situation - Runners at Ist and 3rd base with 2 outs.
Objective - The offense will use this play to achieve one of the following 3 results:
- The ID runner wants to steal and draw a throw to 2D in hopes of scoring the 3D runner.
- The ID runner will advance to 2D if a throw down is not made by the catcher.
- The ID runner will try to create a rundown if a throw down is made. The offense trys to force a defensive error or "buy time" for the 3D runner to score.
Details:
The 1 B runner will take his normal lead. He wants to make sure that he does not get picked off by the pitcher. The offensive team wants the catcher to throw to second. The 3B runner will take an aggressive but safe lead. The 3B runner will make sure that the catcher's throw down clears the pitcher or any possi-ble cut-off man. The 1B runner will execute a straight steal and will look in, like a hit and run, but he is reading the catcher's actions and not the batter's contact. The batter will be taking the pitch. If the I B runner sees the ball going down to second, he will stop. He will stop and retreat quickly back toward fIrst base. If the defense quickly throws to first base, he will get in a run down. If the defense throws to home to get the 3B runner who has his break for home, the 1B runner will advance on to secondbase. The 3B runner will also read the catcher's actions. He will expect a full arm fake and check back to third base. If the catcher releases the ball toward second base, the 3B runner will make sure that the ball clears the pitcher and any possible cutoff man. If the 3B runner "reads the ball through" he breaks hard and slides hard in home.
How do you stop it?
It is hard for the defense to stop this play. They are not aware that the 1 B runner may stop. The best method of defending this play is for the shortstop or secondbaseman to take the throw and quickly throw to homeplate. The defense must communicate.
Points to Remember:
- The 1 B runner has to make sure not to get picked and that he properly reads the catcher .
- The 3B runner must take an aggressive but safe lead. He is expecting a pitcher or infield cut or a fullarm fake by the catcher .
- The "stop and see" play is great for scoring a "cheap" run when the weak part of the batting order is up.
©COPYRIGHTED NICK DIXON 1999
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| Some are "shady" rule benders. |
"Fake Walk" - A Distraction Play
The play is used to distract a catcher in order to allow a first base runner to steal second. The batter has a 2-ball count on him.
The pitcher throws ball "3". The batter leaves the batter's box and starts to go to first acting as if he truly believes he just got
walked with a ball "4". As the batter leaves the box, he looks back at the umpire and ask "that is ball 4 isn't it?". An
unprepared catcher will look back at the umpire and tell him that that was only the 3rd ball. Meanwhile, the 1B runner is
looking and creeping toward 2B looking for an opportunity to steal the base while the catchers attention is diverted. Of course,
the umpire will correct the batter's "misunderstanding" and bring him back to the box. However, many times the "plot" works
and the runner gets safely to 2B. Even if a strike is called on the batter for stepping out of the box, the advance of the runner
to scoring position is certainly worth a strike. Catchers should be aware of this play and not fall victim to it. |
Spectator "Cut-Calls" - Verbal Interference
This is a tactic used by many coaches to disrupt or mislead opposing teams defensive players. The coach will have a spectator or
fan verbally "obstruct or interfere" with the defensive team's play. Whenever there is a close play about to occur on a runner at
home and a "cut-man" is involved in the play, the spectator will yell "cut two, cut two!", to draw the cut and throw way from the
play at the plate. The defender hears the "cut" call and cuts the ball. The offensive team scores a run that may have been an
out, without the fan's interference. This is a real "shady" play that bends the rules. Players need to be instructed to listen to
and know the voices of their teammates and coaches while "tuning" out what may come through the fence or from the stands.
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Some are just plain "cheating".
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Switched Baserunner - Don't get cheated!
The situation is that the offensive team has two or three runners on the bases. Like in most cases the three runners have
varying running speeds. The defensive team has called a time out so that the coach can go out to talk to his pitcher. The 3rd
base coach calls his runners over for a conference. The coach that will cheat will decide where he needs the speed the most
and will move fast runners in front of slow runners to give his team an advantage. To prevent this from happening to you make
sure to have your score bookkeeper check the locations of all runners after runners have had conferences with their base
coach.
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"It is a baseball coach's responsibility to learn, know and understand this great game we play. I think a coach's greatest sins are not doing his "Homework", not
knowing the game and not properly preparing his team. You have to know all trick plays to prevent falling victim to them. If we are all aware of them, then we can keep
each other honest and concentrate on the most important tasks, teaching correct fundamentals!"
Coach Nick Dixon '98 |
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| If you would like to submit at play to appear at this site, please email your play to Coach Dixon.
Look for many more Trick Plays in the future. Be aware! Don't get fooled! |
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Baseball Coaches Trick Play Guidebook
Includes 16 Trick Plays That Every Coach Should Know!
Don't Get Fooled! Do Your Homework!
Have an Advantage Over The Competition! The Guide fully explains Offensive and Defensive Trick Plays.
Each Play has a "How to Stop It!" section also.
Some of the plays covered in this Guide are:
"Baserunner Switch"
"Stupid at Second"
"Sucker at First"
"Fake Walk"
"Fan Cut Call"
"Hand-Held Runner"
"First Baseman Runner Obstruction"
"Illegal Courtesy Runner"
"Double Squeeze With a Corner Cut"
"Fake Passed Ball"
"Fake Foul Ball"
"Skunk in Rightfield" |
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