Hidden ball trick
Encyclopedia
In the game of baseball
, the hidden ball trick is a play in which the runner is deceived about the location of the ball, in an effort to have him tagged out
.
However, the hidden ball trick is illegal (and a balk
is called) if the pitcher is standing on or astride the pitcher's rubber. This makes the hidden ball trick far more difficult to successfully pull off.
Third baseman
Matt Williams used a different technique. On more than one occasion, he asked the runner to step off the bag so that Williams could sweep the dirt off it, then tagged out the runner when the runner complied.
Passing the ball to another player during suspension of play is not a valid hidden ball trick, as it is not possible to tag a runner out this way - play does not resume until the ball returns to the pitcher on the pitcher's mound.
. On June 8, shortstop
Julio Lugo
of the Boston Red Sox
caught Alberto Callaspo
of the Arizona Diamondbacks
. However, teammate and third baseman Mike Lowell
claims it was not a true hidden ball trick since the pitcher did most of the work "selling" the trick. The previous successful hidden ball trick was August 10, , when Lowell (with reliever Todd Jones on the mound), then of the Florida Marlins
, caught Arizona Diamondback
Luis Terrero
, who represented the tying run, taking a lead off third base in the eighth inning, with Florida leading 6–5. Florida won the game, 10–5. The previous victim was Brian Schneider
of the Montréal Expos
, who was caught in , also by Lowell.
Third baseman Bill Coughlin
was reputed to have been the master of the hidden ball trick. Although not verified, Coughlin reportedly pulled it off seven times. He pulled it off on May 12, against Hobe Ferris
of the Boston Red Sox
. He did it again on September 3, , catching George Stone in the first inning. In Game 2 of the 1907 World Series
, Coughlin caught Jimmy Slagle
with a hidden ball trick, the only one in World Series history until Dick Groat
of the St. Louis Cardinals
pulled the hidden-ball trick on Mickey Mantle
of the New York Yankees
in the 1964 World Series
. The play went from Germany Schaefer
to Coughlin.
Willie Kamm
was considered another master of the hidden ball trick. On April 30, , in a game against the Cleveland Indians
, Kamm was involved in a rare triple play
involving a hidden ball trick. The Indians had baserunners on second and third bases when Carl Lind
grounded out to the shortstop
. Johnny Hodapp
, who had been on second base, erroneously thought the runner on third base, Charlie Jamieson
had scored, so he advanced to third base on the ground out. Kamm retrieved the ball and tagged
both runners, whereupon the umpire ruled Hodapp out
. Kamm then hid the ball under his arm and waited for Jamieson to step off the base. When he did so, Kamm tagged him out to complete the triple play.
A hidden ball putout is scored as an unassisted putout for the fielder making the play.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, the hidden ball trick is a play in which the runner is deceived about the location of the ball, in an effort to have him tagged out
Tag out
In baseball, a tag out, sometimes just called a tag, is a play in which a baserunner is out because he is touched by the fielder's hand or glove holding a live ball while the runner is in jeopardy...
.
Execution
Typically, the hidden ball trick is tried when the runner has beaten the throw to second base. There are a number of ways that this play can be executed:- The second basemanSecond basemanSecond base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
mimes throwing the ball to the pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, or goes to the mound and appears to give the ball to the pitcher, but actually hides the ball on his person. When the runner takes his lead off second base, the second baseman tags him out.
- The second baseman, shortstopShortstopShortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
or other nearby fielder will pretend to drop the ball into the outfield for an apparent error (after hiding it on himself). If executed correctly, the runner will begin running for third, setting up the easy out.
However, the hidden ball trick is illegal (and a balk
Balk
In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that constitute a balk. In games played under the Official Baseball Rules, a balk results in a dead ball or delayed dead ball. In certain other circumstances, a balk may be wholly or partially disregarded...
is called) if the pitcher is standing on or astride the pitcher's rubber. This makes the hidden ball trick far more difficult to successfully pull off.
Third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Matt Williams used a different technique. On more than one occasion, he asked the runner to step off the bag so that Williams could sweep the dirt off it, then tagged out the runner when the runner complied.
Passing the ball to another player during suspension of play is not a valid hidden ball trick, as it is not possible to tag a runner out this way - play does not resume until the ball returns to the pitcher on the pitcher's mound.
Examples
There have been fewer than 300 successful executions of the hidden ball trick in Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. On June 8, shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Julio Lugo
Julio Lugo
Julio Cesar Lugo is a Dominican professional baseball infielder but is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed. Lugo is the older brother of baseball pitcher Ruddy Lugo....
of the Boston Red Sox
2007 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox' 2007 season began with the Boston, Massachusetts-based Major League Baseball team trying to rebound after a disappointing 2006 season, in which they finished third in the American League East behind the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays, and missed the postseason for...
caught Alberto Callaspo
Alberto Callaspo
Alberto José Callaspo is a baseball second baseman and third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Career:Callaspo was originally signed by the then-Anaheim Angels in , playing for the Aguilas Cibaeñas of Dominican Summer League...
of the Arizona Diamondbacks
2007 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2007 season started with the Diamondbacks attempting to win the NL West Division. The Arizona Diamondbacks' biggest move in the offseason was when, on January 9, 2007, they got their 2001 World Series co-MVP back, pitcher Randy Johnson after making a blockbuster deal with...
. However, teammate and third baseman Mike Lowell
Mike Lowell
Michael Averett Lowell is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball third baseman. During a 13-year career, Lowell played for the New York Yankees , Florida Marlins , and the Boston Red Sox...
claims it was not a true hidden ball trick since the pitcher did most of the work "selling" the trick. The previous successful hidden ball trick was August 10, , when Lowell (with reliever Todd Jones on the mound), then of the Florida Marlins
2005 Florida Marlins season
The Florida Marlins' 2005 season started off with the team trying to improve on their season from 2004. Their manager was Jack McKeon. They played home games at Dolphin Stadium...
, caught Arizona Diamondback
2005 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The 2005 Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team looked to improve on their 51-111 record from 2004. They looked to contend in what was once again a weak National League West Division...
Luis Terrero
Luis Terrero
Luis Enrique Terrero is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently playing for the Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican League. Terrero debuted with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2003 and remained with the team until 2005. He has also played for the Baltimore Orioles in 2006 and the...
, who represented the tying run, taking a lead off third base in the eighth inning, with Florida leading 6–5. Florida won the game, 10–5. The previous victim was Brian Schneider
Brian Schneider
Brian Duncan Schneider is an American Major League Baseball catcher.-Early life:Schneider was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Peter and Karen Schneider...
of the Montréal Expos
2004 Montreal Expos season
In 2004, the Montreal Expos played their 36th and final season in Montreal. The team finished in fifth and last place in the National League East at 67-95, 29 games behind the Atlanta Braves...
, who was caught in , also by Lowell.
Third baseman Bill Coughlin
Bill Coughlin
William Paul Coughlin , was a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers...
was reputed to have been the master of the hidden ball trick. Although not verified, Coughlin reportedly pulled it off seven times. He pulled it off on May 12, against Hobe Ferris
Hobe Ferris
Albert Sayles "Hobe" Ferris, , was a Major League second baseman during the 1900s. He holds the record for the lowest on base percentage of any player in Major League Baseball history with over 5000 plate appearances, recording an OBP of just .265...
of the Boston Red Sox
1905 Boston Americans season
The Boston Americans season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Americans finishing fourth in the American League with a record of 78 wins and 74 losses.- Offseason :...
. He did it again on September 3, , catching George Stone in the first inning. In Game 2 of the 1907 World Series
1907 World Series
The 1907 World Series featured the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers, with the Cubs winning the Series four games to none for their first championship....
, Coughlin caught Jimmy Slagle
Jimmy Slagle
James Franklin Slagle was a professional baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from 1899 to 1908.Slagle started his professional career in 1895, at the age of 21...
with a hidden ball trick, the only one in World Series history until Dick Groat
Dick Groat
Richard Morrow Groat is a former two-sport athlete best known as a shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played for four National League teams, mainly the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in after winning the batting title with a .325...
of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
pulled the hidden-ball trick on Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 1964 World Series
1964 World Series
The 1964 World Series pitted the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals against the American League champion New York Yankees, with the Cardinals prevailing in seven games. St...
. The play went from Germany Schaefer
Germany Schaefer
Herman A. "Germany" Schaefer was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played fifteen seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Newark Pepper, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Indians....
to Coughlin.
Willie Kamm
Willie Kamm
William Edward Kamm was an American professional baseball player. He played as a third baseman in Major League Baseball from to . Kamm played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox before finishing his playing days with the Cleveland Indians...
was considered another master of the hidden ball trick. On April 30, , in a game against the Cleveland Indians
1929 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the American League with a record of 81-71, 24 games behind the Philadelphia Athletics.- Offseason :...
, Kamm was involved in a rare triple play
Triple Play
A triple play is a baseball play in which three outs are made as a result of continuous action without any intervening errors between outs.Triple play may also refer to:...
involving a hidden ball trick. The Indians had baserunners on second and third bases when Carl Lind
Carl Lind (baseball)
Carl Lind was a Major League Baseball second baseman who played for four seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians from 1927 to 1930. He finished 15th in MVP voting in 1928.-External links:...
grounded out to the shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. Johnny Hodapp
Johnny Hodapp
Urban John Hodapp played major league baseball in the 1920s and 30s, mostly for the Cleveland Indians. He primarily played second base. He had a 9-year career, hitting for a .311 batting average...
, who had been on second base, erroneously thought the runner on third base, Charlie Jamieson
Charlie Jamieson
Charles Devine Jamieson was an American baseball player, an outfielder for the Washington Senators , Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Indians ....
had scored, so he advanced to third base on the ground out. Kamm retrieved the ball and tagged
Tag out
In baseball, a tag out, sometimes just called a tag, is a play in which a baserunner is out because he is touched by the fielder's hand or glove holding a live ball while the runner is in jeopardy...
both runners, whereupon the umpire ruled Hodapp out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
. Kamm then hid the ball under his arm and waited for Jamieson to step off the base. When he did so, Kamm tagged him out to complete the triple play.
A hidden ball putout is scored as an unassisted putout for the fielder making the play.