A 6-Year-Old Just Made the Toughest Play in Baseball
- Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:00am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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There have only been 15 unassisted triple plays in the history of Major League Baseball. In fact, there hasn’t been one in the majors since 2009. But don’t tell that to this 6-year-old, who looks to have accomplished the feat last week during a little league game.
HuffPo describes the play:
In the clip [...], a 6-year-old (according to the YouTube title) shortstop catches a fly ball with men — boys, actually — on second and third. With both baserunners on the move, the kid was able to touch third base and then tag the runner coming from second for the unassisted triple play.
Now Business Insider is quick to call this “adorable,” but still has some critiques:
I don’t know what that kid on third was thinking heading that far down the line on an infield fly, but I blame him less than I do the coach. That’s just a poor job of teaching the fundamentals.
The boy’s identity is somewhat of a mystery. ESPN identified him as “Ross Burnath” from Atlanta when he topped SportCenter’s Top 10 plays on Wednesday night. But confirming his identity beyond a first name has been hard.
That probably doesn’t matter much, though: he’ll always be “that incredible 6-year-old who turned an unassisted triple play.”
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Comments (91)
Tickdog
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:41amI smell MAJORS coming his way!
Report Post »Reason365
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:59amAwesome dude!!!!!!!
Report Post »netmail
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:07pmRight place, right time, sound and fast thinking…..a few of the ‘secrets to success’ all wrapped up in just a few seconds. Love it!!
Report Post »getalong
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:46pmBrings back fond memories of my son playing little league. I will never forget the day when he was about 8 and he got into the car after practice and said, “Mom, baseball is my life”, and then without taking a breath said, “Oh, and I need a nut cup, Mom…coach said”. Priceless. My son went on to play ball through his grade school and high school years, and I think that the game taught him many important lessons about life.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 3:06pmPlaying sports instead of watching sports; just what these Children need. Outdoors, fresh air, exercise, simply Fantastic!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 3:15pmSweet!!!!!
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 3:17pmQuick thinking kid
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 3:19pmOutstanding play! I hope his parents have him picking their lottery numbers.
I’ll bet that never happens to *him* again. lol
Report Post »t00nces2
Posted on May 11, 2012 at 7:23amThey blame the coach for the 6 year old kid almost at third on an infield fly?! Really? You are lucky to get nine six year olds that actually pay close enough attention to run when the ball is hit. I would rather herd cats!
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on May 11, 2012 at 7:54amHeck of a lot different in that age group than even in the 8 year old group, depending on the leagues, it’s not uncommon for kids to get homeruns on walks.
Report Post »Norcalgal
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:33amGiving props where props are due. Way to go, kid.
Report Post »Keeping the american dream ALIVE!!!
Mainer forever
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:03amO.K….got it now…I saw the catch and the two tags to get the tripple play. Nice job. Kids are cute when little….too bad they grow up.
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:59amWhat? I watched it two times? I saw the kid get tagged out at third base…..where were the other “outs”? (They are so darn cute in thier little uniforms)
Report Post »chazmo
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:08amfly ball caught, 1 out, Step on 3rd Base for Force out, 2 outs, tag runner from second, 3 outs.
Report Post »Redmanblackdog
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:41amYou watch, Barry will invite this kid to the White House, for pictures and publicity.
Report Post »MiddleAmerica2012
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:05amno he wont the kid is not black, hispanic, gay or a looser……
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:30amWow, that kid really knew what he was doing.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:30pmToo bad they don’t keep score anymore, don’t praise that kid for playing heads-up ball. He wouldn’t have gotten the play without the other clueless kids playing . Everyone gets a trophy.
Report Post »Mad_as_Hell...
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:24amThanks guys, i enjoyed that.
Report Post »OhSnappage
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:15pmThe Holy Grail of little league baseball. NOICE!
Report Post »GollygeeMrwilson
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:17amAbout all I can sat is WOW!! Also the guy talking was pretty matter-of-fact.
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:42amThe guy who was talking was very likely the dad of the kid on third base…he told him to “Go back!”.
Report Post »Plus…he was probably at home plate to tape his kid scoring.
I imagine he was none to thrilled by the triple play against his kid’s team.
MBA
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:00amBet he could run this country better than the illegal in chief! Cute!
Report Post »Ty Coon
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:52amBrilliant ! Simply brilliant !!! The young man will remember that play his entire Life ! It may take him a wee bit to comprehend the greatest play in baseball and, how easy it seemed to him !
Report Post »Common.Cents
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:48amMy brother also had an unassisted triple play in little league. His triple play involved him chasing everyone down because he knew nobody could catch the ball.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:00amGood point. Thanks for reminding us that the kids on base were also 6 years old and clueless. But the kid did show some awareness of what was going on.
Report Post »Abigail Adams
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:00pmYes for a young kid he sure seemed to know what he was doing. When my son was that age we had to remind them of some of the rules each practice & we usually had players distracted by bugs, clouds, dogs, snacks, other people, & everything else in the world. They didn’t have such expensive uniforms, either.
Report Post »I hope they teach the kids the most important thing – having fun.
Snidely
Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:41amA friend of mine in grade school had a similar situation. Caught the fly ball. Was standing by second base and stepped on it. Tagged the runner from first. Except there was already one out, so it was technically a double play and the inning was over before he tagged the runner.
Report Post »Cardsfan1972
Posted on May 11, 2012 at 10:37amLol! My son is the same way. We are always telling him “play your own position!” He actually had two unassisted triple plays in the same inning last year, I swear he did, (everyone gets to bat) playing 2nd base. But, alas, no video. These people are lucky they have video of this! I bet it happens more than people think with this age group. You usually have a couple of kids who really understand the game and the rest are clueless. Bravo, boys!
Report Post »TWO BITS
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:44amThat six year old has a lot on the ball…impressive!
Report Post »LetsBeSmartAboutThis
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:39amThat was incredible!!! What a heads-up play! WAY TO GO!!!
Report Post »hi
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:36amawesome!
Report Post »80mesh
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:31ami an proud of the fact they are outside playin a game instead of their nose stuck in some electronic device….
oh blame oh … will come out that he was against triple plays before he was for them
the runners acted stupidly
bush pitched him high and inside
a case of hope and swwwwwwwinnnng battah !!!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 12:09pmCollect you participation trophy at Glenns Dallas studio!! Great comment.
Report Post »Sh3LLz
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:10amYou’re out! You’re OUT! Aaaannd YOU’RE OUT!
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:05amI hope we’re saying that to Obama, Biden and Reid this November.
Report Post »ubtaught
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:50am“I don’t know what that kid on third was thinking heading that far down the line on an infield fly, but I blame him less than I do the coach. That’s just a poor job of teaching the fundamentals.”
Hey, the kid is SIX years old. Count ‘em…six.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:05amExactly what I was thinking! At six they are usually picking daisies in the outfield and shuffling their feet in the infield waving to mom and dad.
Report Post »Singlespeeder
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:10amThe base runner on third was thinking here comes the kid from second base. I had better get home. It was just as much that runners judgement quit bagging on the kid on third. They are SIX you clown! Hats off for playing ball not video games I’m going outside to work now. Killer play SS.
Report Post »FreedomWitness
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:49amAwesome! What a great play!
Report Post »1WhoQuestions
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:31amGood for him. :) Just don’t think we should punch his ticket to the majors right now.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:30amAll that for a participation trophy too…Poor kid, he gets the same crappy trophy as the right fielder out there eating his boogers…
Report Post »ritonmom
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:57amSooooooFunny! Cannot stop laughing!
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:00amGo kick your dog you miserably POS.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:31am@SimpleTruths, I’m guessing you were the kid in right field eating his boogers…..
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 12:07pmNice comment simpletruth. You win a participation trophy and a bag of boogers!!!!
Report Post »davidwjohnson
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:29amAmazing, and without using steroids. Obviously he’ll have no future in Major League Baseball!
Report Post »Tankgod
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:25amLOL Now THAT’s funny! Made my morning.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:23am“I don’t know what that [kid on third] was thinking heading that far down the line on an infield fly, but I blame him less than I do the coach. That’s just a poor job of teaching the fundamentals.”
Unless I read this wrong, the Business Insider doesn’t know the difference between a Third Baseman and a Shortstop. I give the Shortstop credit for identifying a possible week position player [Third Baseman], taking charge by calling off that Third Baseman, making the play and retiring the side all by himself, lol.
This kid has definately got quick thinking and fundementals down pat for his age level.
Report Post »Welcome Black Carter
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:41amAs I remember it, at 6 it’s not that far from when the whole team piles on the ball when it gets to the outfield. Good job kids.
Report Post »mikefromaltoona
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:52amYou are reading it wrong. He’s not talking about the fielder, he’s talking about the base runner.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:04amMIKE. Ty… it’s happened before. Lol. Makes a little more sense now.
Report Post »BigDaddyTex
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:18amO.K. They’re SIX. But that was STILL a SWEET effort and play! Good job!!!
Report Post »Hobo Gator
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:17amWhat I saw were two volunteers out there teaching youth the finer points about life. The camera stopped time for a view of proper coaching. No yelling, high fiving, just proper instructions of what to do when. Just another play in baseball, but a true picture of real life in America. Great job Coaches, and the kids participating.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:04amWell, WOW! Keep it up, young ‘un. That was something to see.
Looks like a natural, but I bet his dad spends lots of time with him working on technique and reaction times. NICE.
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