Runners, on the other hand, don’t have to follow this rule. They’re free to try to be as distracting or aggressive as they’d like.
This includes executing perfectly crafted maneuvers that catch the pitcher off-guard and allow the runner on third to steal home, as the Florida Gators’ Blake Reese (on third base) and Nick Horvath (on first base) pulled off in their Super Regionals matchup with the Auburn Tigers on Monday night. Horvath totally faked a fall-down between first and second, buying enough time for Reese to scamper home. That’s treachery!
Horvath was eventually thrown out at third after trying to take advantage of the chaos and advance an extra base, but no matter. Job well done with this one.
That sneaky run would prove important in the game, as the teams battled into the 11th inning, when the Gators won in especially dramatic fashion to punch their ticket to the College World Series for the 12th time.