The first time I heard about this play was from Steve "Sizzler" Wingate telling me about how his grandfather performed this trick play back in the 1920s when he was the catcher for the Woronoco Baseball Club in the River Valley League here in Westfield. Upon further research, I learned this trickery dates back to the 1880s...perfect. I loved the idea and wanted to try it but because of my respect for the game I would only do it during exhibition type games.
We first tried this in 2007 during the Bill Lee game. Third baseman Mike "Ice Man" Arbour brought out the potato to his position in his back pocket. When the time was right (man on 2nd base) I called a meeting at the box with Ice Man and our pitcher to put the play in motion. Unfortunately Ice Man reached into his pocket only to produce a mashed potato. The play previous he made a diving stop of a line drive that cause the mash. We tried again this year during the Lius Tiant game but the Latin Stars knew we were up to something so it never came off. We then tried it during an exhibition match between the Canadian Professional Base Ball Club and the ad hoc team of vintage all-stars (Wheelmen, Stogies, Senators, Pioneers and the Mass Mutuals). This time perfection was achieved. Prior to the start of the 5th inning, I directed the famous Chris "Grit" Moran (in a rare pitching duty) to take a potato with him out to the box and explained to him and our third baseman Dan "Short Order" Cook (who was already schooled on the play since it was his potato) how the play would come off. As soon as one of the Canadian Professionals reached second base, Grit set in the box with potato in hand after making a quick, seamless switch to his back pocket (ball for potato), turned and fired to second base in a pick-off attempt, only to purposely toss the spud deep into centerfield much to the excitement of the Canadian runner who of course headed for third. At that point, Grit reached into his pocket for the ball, tossed over to Short Order at third and much to the surprise of the Canadian (shouted some Franglais) he was easily tagged out. Shouts of two balls being used was quickly dashed as the spud came hurling in from centerfield to the foot of the umpire Pops O'Maxfield who promptly smiled and directed the Canadian back to 2nd base. As rumor spread of the play, public address announcer, Bob "The Barker" Plasse made the announcement of the play to the roar of the crowd. This is vintage base ball at its best.
Warning - just becareful as to what the Wheelmen have in their ball bag.
