Trick play question

FPMark said:

I'm just saying that if the runner is not attempting to advance, then how can you obstruct the runners progress? Yes a fake tag can cause the runner to stop at a base that they otherwise might not have, but trick plays can cause a runner to try to advance when they otherwise would not have.

If it's up to the runner to know what is happening during a trick play shouldn't they also be aware what is happening during the fake tag? I am just asking whats the difference between deceiving the runner to keep them from taking an extra base, and deceiving the runner to get an out? And just so you know, I am talking about deceiving without touching. I'm questioning the reasoning for deception being legal in one case, but not the other. Both include a defesive player pretending to have the ball when they don't.

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You are right, two different things which is pretty much what has been stated. However, a ball being elsewhere and no defender in the path of the runner or making an "attempt" to retire a runner is not the same as a defender on the basepath taking action to cause the player to check-up or slide.

Had a play a few years ago. SP, runner on 1B. Ground ball toward the right side and R1 is off toward 2B. SS comes across 2B as if taking a throw and came directly at R1 as if to complete a double play at 1B. R1 covers up and slides and out goes my left arm. At this point in time, the ball was still rolling toward the fence because RF misplayed the ball. BR saw R1 laying on the ground and stopped after rounding 1B. By the time R1 gathered himself and got to 2B, the ball was retrieved and on the way in.

Play was ruled dead when all obvious play was complete and R1 was awarded 3B and the BR, 2nd. F6 was warned for what we considered a fake tag. Now, if the SS just came across the base and made no move that indicated a play on R1, it would have been nothing.

Think about it, do you really want umpires to start determining what is unfairly deceptive? I've already seen umpires go as far as calling OBS because an infielder jumped up for a line drive and slapped his glove as if the ball made contact. Don't get me wrong, I know how ridiculous that is, but it has happened.