[AtlUmpSteve]

There used to be (not sure if still exists) a case play ruling that drew the line. It referred to a play like this, but in that play, the defense had left a ball along the fence/dead ball line (whether in or out was immaterial), so that runner and coach saw what looked like an overthrown ball.

The ruling specified that the use of the ball as a prop was over-the-line between legitimate trickery and unsporting deceitfulness. Otherwise, the play was to be ruled as legal.

General trickery is legal; otherwise we would have to address fake throws, changeups, and even fadeaway slides. Fake tags are illegal as unsafe and too likely to create an injury.

The line to be used is way farther to the right than this play.