Trick-play pickoff move to end the baseball game

Trick-play fake pickoff move to end the baseball game (final out). Maryville College (Maryville, TN) vs. Carson-Newman College (Jefferson City, TN).
I'm on the mound for Carson-Newman during this play. Top of the 9th inning, 2 outs, and the score was 7-4 (I earned a save with this game-ending play).
And for the record; I did not call to put this play on, it was put on by my coach -- I (the pitcher) was just following orders given by the coach so save the hate mail "pitcher must suck" garbage.

The middle infielders dive inward, I fake throw, and the outfielders run towards the scoreboard (you can see the CF's feet at the top of the screen if you look for it). And when it's done successfully it will look something like this.

And ps., my acting job on the mound deserves a freakin' Oscar nomination!

Bush League? ...perhaps.
Funny as hell? ...you know it.

((As seen on SportsNation))

...and to settle any dispute; this play is not a balk. Nowhere in the balk rules does it state that the pitcher is not allowed to fake to second or third. The only base you have to completely disengage the rubber to FAKE to is first base. So, clearly, not a balk. Nor did the umpires think so during any of the FOUR times we performed this play throughout the year.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• trick play
• baseball
• pick off move
• pitching
• funny
• bush league
• epic
• final out
• Carson
• Newman
• Maryville
• College
• CN
• CNC
• MC
• sportsnation
• SN
• game
• balk

[MrAndrewk1234]

GOT HEEEEEEEEEEM!!!

[Shamless99]

Why is it not a balk

[nucifubuc8]

@MrShootducks Yes, on top of that, why would you even think to run if you can't see the ball...

[nucifubuc8]

@Shamless99 Because you don't have to pick off to second, you can spin and not throw the ball, first is the only base you have to throw to when you pick (unless you step off first).

[tgwinford]

@Shamless99 A pitcher can fake a throw to 2nd or 3rd without it being a balk.

[warsaw26baseball]

@michaeltbear They have to tag him with the ball to get him out. If he reaches the next base without being tagged with the ball, he's safe. Therefore, they throw it where he is going so he can't get there without being tagged.

[evanpickellbaseball]

@TheWaver22 nope, not if you step off behind the rubber

[MrShootducks]

Dumb base running. you should never make the last out at 3rd

[jpmatrixfan88]

My summer league team pulled this play off when I was 15 or 16. We actually practiced it for a while and did this exact same thing and got the guy out.

[cougarbsbll5]

Terrible baserunning...when you slide back you automatically look for the ball...and even if you did go, you pick up the coach who should be telling you to go back...busch

[TheWaver22]

Isn't that a balk.