Indiana State left fielder Adam Pottinger couldn’t help himself from playing a little in-game prank on Iowa’s Brayden Frazier. And it nearly ended up working better than Pottinger could have imagined.
First, we have to go back to Saturday’s regional matchup between the Hawkeyes and Sycamores. In that game, which Indiana State won, Frazier hit a deep fly ball to left-center field, and Pottinger made a spectacular leaping effort to rob the Iowa right fielder of a home run.
Fast forward to Sunday’s game between the two teams, and Pottinger had another chance to rob Frazier of a home run in nearly the same spot. This time, the ball cleared Pottinger’s glove and the fence. But Pottinger decided to play it off like he had caught the ball.
The left fielder pretends to rob a home run and EVERYONE believes it 😭 pic.twitter.com/MTxQy7Fir1
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 5, 2023
OK, that’s pretty funny. It might not have been the best sportsmanship, but Frazier’s reaction made the prank worth it.
Frazier was also lucky his teammates noticed the fake-out and stopped him from returning to the dugout because he technically could have been ruled out if he made it much further and abandoned the base path. With no outs in the inning, Pottinger wasn’t going to be able to completely get away with the trickery. But could you imagine if he tried that on a would-be third out? I would’ve loved to see how that could have played out.
Still, you don’t see an outfielder try to do that very often. Fans had plenty of thoughts on the prank.
This was how Twitter reacted
That little smile is too good. This game is fun, and he is having a lot of fun right now. https://t.co/WwVTn9jTUT
— Dave Wegiel Photo (@pinolaphoto) June 5, 2023
If there had been two outs in the inning he may have actually gotten away with it. Pretty bush league. But, I also don't hate it? 🤷🏻♂️
I almost wish the batter had crossed first on the way back to the dugout to see how the umps would rule his abandoning the basepath. https://t.co/7mPohknoI0
— Ryan Eades (@ryan2499) June 5, 2023
Might have to pull this move if I ever get the chance 🤣🤣 https://t.co/56napCs4Br
— Willy Jack 🦌 (@WillyJack14) June 5, 2023
LOL if there were 2 outs in the inning he was totally getting away with it https://t.co/S4XEJEeP7U
— J Fosty (@J_Fost25) June 5, 2023
I wanna see this with the batter being called out for abandoning the basepaths. https://t.co/BbWAo9oYBO
— Matt Sullivan (@sporkless) June 5, 2023
Brilliant & Diabolical all at once 😂 https://t.co/1RthKeLWzX
— Estee Morrison (@esteemorrisontv) June 5, 2023
You got me @adam_pottinger…tip of the cap to you sir… https://t.co/ibzoq9MB9G
— Sam Ravech (@Sam_Ravech) June 5, 2023
I wish he would have gotten away with it https://t.co/CkDpwpTDsX
— Unky (@tabasco_stan) June 5, 2023
His pitcher: https://t.co/QR3SzblkEJ pic.twitter.com/Bk58nvq4qV
— Cam (@coverton_) June 5, 2023
This honestly would be so smart with a runner on. Hope that the batter and runner pass each other and get an auto out https://t.co/LuKor4tIiS
— James Mitchell (@phillip_james) June 5, 2023
Got Heeeemmm!!! https://t.co/0k5JirPbfV
— Steven Miller (@DSports24) June 5, 2023
But why would he do this man 😭 https://t.co/H1Q6kWYa6I
— Reggie Chatman Jr. (@ReggieChatman) June 5, 2023
Indiana State went on to win and advance to the Super Regional.
