The first time I saw this play we are watching
I was really impressed with the ability of these youth players to pull this off so successfully. In one sense this is really a simple plan
to throw the runner out at second. However, the amount of time for the play to
develop and the patience needed by each player it is quite remarkable that they were able
to make it work. The idea is to lull the runner on second into
complacency. To get that runner used to a rhythm and routine
so that he can be caught off guard. In order to make this happen, the catcher,
pitcher, and shortstop need to be in on the fairly long process. Unfortunately we don’t get to see the short
stop in the video, but presumably, the shortstop is doing the same exact thing on every pitch. He doesn’t suddenly act different on the
final play that catches the runner. After each pitch, every single time, the shortstop
is running over to second to cover a pick off throw. But he isn’t really acting like he’s expecting
a throw. He’s just going through the motions - as
it were - leaving the runner to believe that this is simply what always happens. Nothing here to be concerned about. The pitcher needs to be ready to catch each
throw back from the catcher which comes back quickly and hard and the same every pitch. Even when they get the strike out, the throw
back to the pitcher is the same every single time. The catcher is the key and this catcher is
one of the best at this age level I’ve seen. He’s skills are really good. He needs to pop up and throw quickly and hard
to the pitcher after every pitch. This constant throw is key. The runner on second sees this throw about
ten times before he’s caught. Ten times to see the same thing by the catcher,
pitcher, and shortstop. Then, all of the sudden, the pitcher doesn’t
catch the ball. It rather comes all the way to the shortstop
and by the time the runner realizes this throw was different, it’s too late. It’s brilliant. It’s obviously planned out this way and
while the premise is simple, but the time it takes to develop is quite impressive. Maybe the coach gave a final go ahead sign
off camera? Or maybe the catcher simply decided on his
own that this was the time? Either way, it caught that runner. Is this a play that can be used by other teams? Obviously yes, but my guess is that the excitement
and anticipation by the defense would be too much and either act too soon, or be too obvious
in their movements. We will be posting many more videos. Subscribe so you can be notified when new
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We definitely did this and worked on it in practice when I was in little league. It only works because there are so many lazy base runners at that age.
Still a smart play and good commentary by the uploader.
An amazing play and an even more amazing commentary. The guy clearly described what was happening and made the whole build up interesting.
This is really less of a trick play and more of a demonstration on how to exploit lazy base running. When I think of trick play, I think of hidden ball tricks, fake throws from 3 to 1 after a pickoff, pointing to a nonexistent fly ball. I could be wrong, though.
At 1:52, the pitch before the backdoor, you see the catcher look at the bench and then touch his chest protector. That's the sign the play is on.
These kids are smooth.
The fucking long game is real
This isn't really a trick play; it's actually pretty standard. Although well executed, it's more terrible base running than anything. In little league, the runner can't leave the base until the pitched ball crosses the plate so there is no reason for the kid to be jumping off the base that far after the pitch (in regular baseball the runner would be on his way back to the base at this time). So it's not a lead, he's just being stupid and obnoxious. He probably thinks he's going to trick the catcher into thinking he's going to steal, but no one ever steals in little league on a cleanly caught ball so he's not fooling anyone, especially after he's done it ten times in a row.
How is this a trick play again? This is just standard baseball. I did enjoy the commentary though. haha
r/headsupbaseball
baseball play* It isn't some trick