CATCHER IN THE SLY

By Dan Miller
July 24, 2007

I don't know if such a sneaky tactic is against the rules in pro baseball.
I do know I saw it used in a game many years ago, and I've never seen it again.

People tell me I'm wrong.... that it didn't happen.... but it did.
My boyhood buddy Michael Danish and I were attending an Augusta Tigers game (Class A Sally League).

It was late in the game.
(I'm certain that's the case because, in the mid-1950s, Michael and I had very little cash so we'd usually wait in the parking lot behind homeplate, trying to catch foul balls, until the bottom of the 7th when they'd open the gates and we could get in free.)

I don't remember specifics about the game.... but I clearly recall there were runners on base when this unusual defensive strategy was put into play.

The Tigers pulled one of their outfielders from the outfield.... put catcher's equipment on him.... and positioned 2 catchers behind the plate.
One of them squatted in his proper position directly behind the plate, while the other catcher squatted about 2 or 3 feet to his right.
This allowed the pitcher a choice.... he could either throw the ball directly over the plate, or outside to the 2nd catcher.

Such a defensive strategy (if it's legal) would seem to make sense if you've got a predictable hitter at the plate, dangerous runners on base, and a "2nd catcher" with a rocket arm who can prevent a steal.

Several people, including a former major leaguer, have told me it can't be done in a professional game.... that it would be against the rules.
Well, I don't know.
I know I saw it.

I've searched the official rules of baseball on the internet and -- so far -- I find no reference to it whatsoever.

Whether it's legal in baseball -- and in the rule book -- I don't know.....
If it's not.... the umpires in Augusta that night didn't know it either.

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