If my high school team had tried that, the pitcher would have forgotten not to throw the ball into center, all three runs would have scored, and four people would have been injured.

Is there anybody associated with youth or high school baseball that hasn't seen this play dozens of times? I mean, besides the runner and his base coaches?

The catcher has to get that tag on the ground. He tagged the runner very high and a better slide would've gotten the runner in under the tag.

That's a balk.

Looks like the second-base umpire totally bought it.

Is MLB going to outlaw this play next year too?

Is MLB going to outlaw this play next year too?

I wondered that at the time, whether all fake throws, to second or third, would be prohibited. I have no idea what MLB's incentive is for the rule change.

I'm not sure it is a balk. You are allowed to feign throws to occupied bases under the current rules. You aren't allowed to feign pitches to home (obviously) or feign throws to unoccupied bases. He does sort of just spin and doesn't really step towards second base when he feigns the throw, so maybe that right there is a balk.

I think it would probably be advantageous to disallow feigned throws to occupied bases.

As for whether this play would be outlawed, it depends on whether they disallow all feigned throws to occupied bases, or whether they simply specify fake to first, throw to third. I'm hoping it ends up being the more general rule.

runner was damn near safe.

That's because the catcher wasn't satisfied with getting an out--he wanted to also hurt and embarrass the runner. Notice his disdain as he turns his back and practically drops the ball on his face.

The only time I ever saw this play was at 1B. The pitcher was off the rubber, faked the throw and the 1B ran as if it was over his head. Our runner on 1b started drift off the bag and the pitcher ran at the bag hoping to beat him there. The brilliant 1b coach at the time sniffed it out.

I wondered that at the time, whether all fake throws, to second or third, would be prohibited. I have no idea what MLB's incentive is for the rule change.

I think I missed something - what was the MLB rule change, and when did it happen? Thanks.

The "fake to third faketo first" move is supposedly going to be outlawed for next year.