How to Sell the Hidden Ball Trick in Baseball

Sometimes a pitcher and his defense need an out in the worst way imaginable. Perhaps the pitcher is struggling or the team is behind and they need something to get them emotionally back into the game. The old hidden ball trick is one of those plays that will make the fans go crazy, energize your team and greatly disturb the opposing squad. It will also get your team an out. Here is how to sell the hidden ball trick in baseball.

Instructions

1. Wait for the appropriate time to execute the hidden ball trick. You shouldn't attempt it when there is more than one base runner on as a teammate may notice what you are up to. Wait until there is a runner on base who is notorious for being somewhat “out there” on the base paths, a runner who doesn't always pay full attention to what's going on out on the field. You also should try it during a relatively unimportant part of the game, when the runner will be looking around instead of completely focusing on the game.

2. Have a meeting on the mound between the pitcher, catcher and all of the infielders. You could also bring the pitching coach out to the mound to give the meeting more legitimacy. The players should surround the pitcher as they normally would so that the runner cannot see what is going on.

3. Transfer the ball during the meeting on the mound to the player who will be closest to the runner. This, for example, would be the first baseman if the runner is on first. You must be sure to do this quickly and inconspicuously so that the runner, first and third base coaches as well as the bench coaches from the opposing side do not see the transfer take place. The ball must also be placed in the palm of the mitt so that it is not noticeable when the defensive player is running back to his spot on the mound.

4. Make sure that the pitcher keeps his back towards the base runner. This serves two purposes. First, the runner will not see that the pitcher doesn't have the ball if he can't see the pitcher's glove or hand. Second, the pitcher should have his back towards the runner if he is working out of the stretch position. Doing so will simply make the runner believe that a normal at-bat is about to take place.

5. Be sure to make no movements out of the ordinary. Whenever something like the hidden ball trick is taking place, it's human nature to stare towards the play in anticipation. Doing so, however, will simply make the runner and base coach suspicious. Everybody from the catcher to the pitcher to the other infielders must act as they do in between every other pitch during the game. Not glancing over towards the player holding the ball could be the difference between an out and a blown play.

6. Wait until the runner gets a normal lead before trying to make the tag. If you move towards the runner after he takes a single step, he will most likely head right back to the bag out of instinct. Let him move a few feet away and then fall back into defense as normal. Once he looks towards home, run up to him and apply the tag. Since your normal defensive stance should only be a couple of steps away from the runner, you should have the tag applied before he has any idea what has happened.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use the rosin bag as decoy. This is a stereotype found in many movies or shows. The fact is that a coach or player will be more likely to notice that the rosin bag is no longer on the mound. If he sees this, he will know that the pitcher is holding it and thus doesn't have the baseball.