The next four videos will deal with Baseball Trick plays….not including the hidden ball
trick….
There isn’t a lot of room within the rules of baseball to allow for trick plays, so I
will be using a wide definition of the term TRICK.
The first video will focus on two tricks the defense can use against runners on second base.
The next video will focus on two tricks runners can use.
The third video will have one of each.
The fourth and final video is a work in progress.
Reactions to these videos will vary and for the record, I’m not a big fan of using up
practice time to work on trick plays when I could be working on teaching the game; that
being said, kids do like them so picking one to try and have fun with isn’t really that
bad.
Our first trick play is a High School play almost exclusively.
I’ve seen a college team try it, but the runner didn’t bite and they looked a little foolish
Here are a few examples of the play.
llllIt’s self explanatory so I’ll spare you the needless commentary.
This next trick play was done against us in the spring of 2018.
It’s a play to get the runner at 2nd and I’ll let it run out and then add some context.
The the key to this play is to use it sparingly.
They did attempt it twice prior to catching this runner and when I checked the video I
realized that when I brought it up to the dugout telling kids to watch for it, this
runner that was caught was up to bat so he was the one player who didn’t hear me and
likely didn’t notice it from the batter’s box.
There are two things I really like about this.
1) It’s simple and simple plays can work.
They don’t eat up hours of practice time.
2) The trick would actually work a lot as runners on 2nd routinely extend their lead
when the shortstop returns prior to the pitch.
Finally, it even earned the respect of at least one kid in the dugout.