| This offensive baseball trick play is often used by | | | | finish the pitch unless one of the umpires calls |
| youth baseball teams to confuse young and | | | | time. It is recommended that coaches make sure |
| inexperienced pitchers and to get balk calls. The | | | | that youth pitchers know that the only person |
| ploy uses the inexperience and lack of knowledge | | | | that can call time out is one of the umpires. If a |
| of a young pitcher to get a balk call. | | | | player, coach or fan yells "time", "stop", or |
| Here is how the "Fake Time-Out" play is done: | | | | anything abruptly, the pitcher should finish the |
| After the young pitcher begins his pitching motion, | | | | pitching motion. If it is the opposing team, the |
| the batter simply raises his front hand and acts | | | | umpire will rule verbal obstruction and warn the |
| as if he is asking for time to the pitcher instead | | | | other team. |
| of the umpire. The player will in most cases, not | | | | 2. If the batter steps out of the box, raises his |
| say anything, but simply raise the front hand as if | | | | hand or verbally calls time out, the pitcher should |
| calling time. This front hand movement mimics the | | | | not hesitate, stop, or change his delivery. The |
| raining of the back hand to the plate umpire to as | | | | pitch should be thrown. |
| for time to be called. The action is done to disrupt | | | | 3. Make sure that your youth pitcher knows that |
| the pitchers concentration. The very young | | | | one of the umpires is the only person that can |
| pitcher will fall for the "prank" and stop his | | | | stop play once the pitching motion has started. |
| delivery. If the pitcher stops or alters his normal | | | | In summary, this trick play does not work well if |
| delivery and pitching motion, it is a balk. | | | | coaches take the time to inform their players of |
| How does a youth baseball coach prevent his | | | | the rules regarding calling time. |
| young pitcher from falling victim to this trick? | | | | I hope that this article is useful to you and your |
| Here are 3 recommended coaching points: | | | | team. |
| 1. Coaches must coach their players to always | | | | |