Situation #2:   Hidden Ball Trick

          Though you don’t see it very often, the hidden ball trick is a legal play and one that can cause a lot of embarrassment….hopefully, not for the umpire.

            It will often occur after a runner has slid into a base and is unaware of where the ball is

OR following a pickoff attempt he’s distracted and loses track of the ball.

            As the umpire, you must always know where the ball is and the status of the pitcher. That’s especially important on this play. If the pitcher assumes a position on or astride the rubber without the ball in his possession, a balk shall be called.

            In this first play, you will notice that the pitcher has not engaged the rubber when the tag is applied to the surprised runner. In this case, the play is legal and the runner is out.

            In the second play, the pitcher has engaged the rubber before the tag.  Once the pitcher touches the rubber, the umpire should signal “Balk!”…call “Time,” and award the runner third base.