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NEW YORK —Yankees reliever Rafael Soriano stepped toward third base and
bluffed a pickoff throw, then twirled and made a soft toss to first. Adam Vinatieri Jersey . No dice, the Tampa
Bay runners didnt fall for that ol trick—theyd seen it too often. Starting
next year, no one might ever see that exact play again. Major League Baseball is
poised to pick off the much-maligned move, the fake-to-third, throw-to-first
ploy that often succeeds only in getting the whole ballpark to shout “Balk!” “I
think they should get rid of it,” Yankees reliever Boone Logan said. “Us lefties
cant do that. If we do, they call a balk.” “Besides, how often does it work?
Maybe once in never,” he said. The Playing Rules Committee has approved a
proposal to make it a balk, too, with MLB executives and umpires in agreement.
The players union vetoed the plan for this season to discuss it further. MLB is
allowed to implement the change after a one-year wait—no telling whether that
would happen if players strongly object. Under the new wording, a pitcher could
not fake to third unless he first stepped off the rubber. If he stayed on the
rubber, as Soriano did Wednesday night, it would be a balk. Most every pitcher
now makes the move the same way Soriano did. “Some people think youre just
trying to deceive the runner at first, that you have no real intention of
getting the guy at third,” Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “Youre
not trying so much to get a guy off third. Youre not going to do that very
often,” he said. “But it can be a huge deterrent for the runner at first.”
Scioscia is a member of Commissioner Bud Seligs panel for on-field issues. Would
Scioscia be sorry to see the play tossed? “I dont know if sorry is the right
word. It means youll just have to find another way to control the running game,”
he said. Scioscias team has had great success using what some clubs call the
“horn” play—the name comes from managers extending their index and pinky
fingers in a “Hook em Horns” gesture, indicating opposing runners at first and
third. Last August, with Los Angeles leading 6-4 at Yankee Stadium, New York put
men at the corners with two outs in the ninth inning. Rookie Jordan Walden
bluffed toward third a couple of times, then did it again and trapped
Curtis Granderson off first for the final out. This year, the Angels struck
again in the Bronx when starter Ervin Santana faked to third and nailed
Brett Gardner at first. The play is specifically addressed in the Official
Baseball Rules under Rule 8.05©, which states: “It is possible, with runners
on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely
to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for
second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal.” Hence, no
balk. Not yet, anyway. “Major League Baseball and the players decide what the
rules of baseball are. We just enforce them,” longtime umpire Jim Joyce said.
New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, chairman of the Playing Rules
Committee, points out “its evolved over time whats acceptable on what you can do
at different bases.” A bluff to third is legal, for example, but the same fake
to first is not. Fleet San Francisco leadoff man Angel Pagan isnt too worried
about whether the move is made illegal. “Ive been dealing with it my whole
career,” he said. “Theyre always trying to do something to trick you.” Same
first-and-third trap they pulled in Reggie Jacksons day. The Hall of Famer is
known for his slugging, yet he also stole 228 bases. “I wish they wouldnt get
rid of it. That plays been part of the game forever,” he said. “But I guess
thats part of change.” A pickoff move thats been part of baseball strategy for
years might get picked off next season. Andrew Luck Womens Jersey . The Lightning,
who acquired Pouliots rights from the Boston Bruins on June 23 – signed the
25-year-old forward to a one-year, $1. Delone Carter Jersey . Five different players
scored for the defending champions in the preliminary-round matchup at Stora
Hallen Arena. “I think it speaks to the depth that we have on our team,” said
head coach Dan Church. http://www.nikeindianapoliscoltsjerseyssale.com/andrew-luck-jersey
. “I didnt know until (Maryland radio play-play announcer) Johnny Holiday told
me while he was interviewing me,” said Vasquez about scoring a triple-double.
“Its a blessing and Im thankful. I dont have any words to describe this feeling
right now. Andrew Luck White Jersey . The excruciating
mountain climbs and the explosions of power that pushed him past other heaving
cyclists on narrow Alpine roads. The legions of fans wearing yellow Livestrong
bracelets cheering on the cancer survivor whose grit and determination gave them
hope. Reggie Wayne Womens Jersey . – Phillies RHP
Brett Myers allowed just one hit in 7 1/3 innings, the first time in five starts
he allowed fewer than three earned runs, but it wasnt enough to match Reds RHP
Edinson Volquez (2 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 8 K in 7 IP). The Erie Otters have made it
official, selecting 15-year-old Connor McDavid first overall in the Ontario
Hockey League draft. The centre with the AAA minor midget Toronto Marlboros was
granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada last month. The Newmarket,
Ont., native became just the third player to be given the draft exemption behind
New York Islanders forward John Tavares and current Barrie Colts defenceman
Aaron Ekblad. The Kingston Frontenacs selected Marlboros defenceman Roland
McKeown with the second pick. The Peterborough Petes picked Eric Cornel, a
centre with Upper Canada Cyclones, No. 3 overall. Jared McCann, a centre with
London Knights-Gold, went fourth to the Sault Ste. Johnny Unitas Jersey. Marie Greyhounds.
Joshua Ho Sang, a centre with the Marlboros, was selected by the Windsor
Spitfires to round out the top five. The Marlboros had five of their players
drafted within the first round. Kingston kept it within the family in the later
rounds, as general manager Doug Gilmour drafted his son Jake in the eighth round
and Owen Gill, the son of head coach Todd Gill, was taken in the seventh. “The
Fronts proudly select Jake Gilmour of the Jr. Canadiens with our 8th round pick!
.ProudDad,” tweeted Doug Gilmour. Jake Gilmour was with the Jr. Canadiens and
Owen Gill was with the Upper Canada Cyclones. ’ ’ ’