The “Hidden Ball Trick”

Simple, Complicated, Deceptive

This play takes place with a limited amount of frequency, but when it does it is often problematic or completely booted. 

Here is the simple part:

1. While the defensive player hides the ball.

2. Base Runner believes the pitcher has the ball and steps off base.

3. Defensive player with ball tags runner off the base, for the out.

Here is the complicated part:

1. For a “Hidden Ball Trick” to be legal the pitcher cannot stand approximately within 5' of the pitchers plate without the ball or it is a balk. NFHS Rule 6-2-5, Pg. 42

2. For a “Hidden Ball Trick” to be legal the pitcher cannot stand on any part of the mound without the ball or it is a balk. NCAA Rule 9-3-f, Pg. 91

Here is the deceptive part:

1. The play is designed to deceive “trick” the base runner into believing the pitcher has the ball, while another close by defensive player hides the ball in his glove.

2. The play can and does deceive “trick” unsuspecting umpires as well. (This is a very good reason to follow the ball all the way back to the pitcher’s glove or until time is called.)

Things to know:

1. Where and who has the ball?

2. Where is the pitcher standing when a tag is applied?

3. Is the runner out or is it a Balk?

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Baseball Rules in Black and White