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Big League Stew

Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

Wicked video: Minor leaguer performs major league bat trick

By David Brown

If some mad genius ever creates a rodeo for baseball, his or her first call should be to the man in this video, Josh Womack, who currently plays for the Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League.

Womack, a second-round pick of the Mariners in 2002, didn't have enough success with them to advance beyond Class A (other than some apparently token at-bats) before being let go in '08.

That he is batting .293/.387/.402 for the Armada this season in a league that features the likes of Jose Lima(notes), Mac Suzuki and Hideki Irabu must be great for Womack. After all, he's still getting paid to play a kid's game.

But it's not Womack's hitting that has the Internet Tubes abuzz. Add a ball to the equation and, sorry Josh, but few care. It's his nimble digits, the lightest fingers this side of a cabal of Times Square pickpockets, that are providing him this 15 minutes.

If you listen to the video, you'll hear Womack say he bruised a palm sliding into home. He's doing magic while injured!

Of course, the first thing one thinks about this video in this cynical society probably is:

Is is fake?

It seems real. No Photoshop or Final Cut Pro kind of sleight of hand here. Steroids? Well, who knows in this day and age. Let's hope not.

In case you're not convinced, here's another routine caught on tape (VIDEO) that includes Prentice Redman, a former major leaguer.

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966 Comments

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  1. Buttcrack Alley
    1. Posted by Buttcrack Alley Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:30 pm EDT

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    First? Hello...? Is anyone there...? aw shucks...
  2. habs1rule
    2. Posted by habs1rule Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:35 pm EDT

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    Yankees care so much for their players and investment, they are waiting Five Hours to play in deplorable and dangerous conditions.
  3. Thomas M
    3. Posted by Thomas M Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:06 pm EDT

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    WTF? thats awesome
  4. Anrkist
    4. Posted by Anrkist Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:14 pm EDT

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    Well at least we know why he's no good... he's doing parlor tricks instead of learning how to hit a ball.
  5. Alexander W
    5. Posted by Alexander W Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

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    nasty
  6. 3/1
    6. Posted by 3/1 Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    Not fake. I just went out and could do it in about 5 minutes. Its not near as pretty or fast yet, but its just a quick, hard snap with your wrists. toss with the left or front wrist, and grab with your right. the other hands will follow. Thats why his hands jump back, its from the snap.
  7. Adam A
    7. Posted by Adam A Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:18 pm EDT

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    who cares?
  8. Joshua F
    8. Posted by Joshua F Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:20 pm EDT

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    I shot this video. It's legit. He's doing stuff like this all the time during BP.
  9. stlhockey
    9. Posted by stlhockey Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:46 pm EDT

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    Thanks Dave!
    That was fantastic!
  10. Thomas C
    10. Posted by Thomas C Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:48 am EDT

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    Josh Womack making the BLS!!! You should see what he did in high school as an outfielder, pitcher, and hitter. Bryce Harper today would have nothing on Josh when he was a prep.
  11. Honeybee
    11. Posted by Honeybee Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:22 am EDT

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    Come on....give the guy a break...At least it is better than having a game commentator (like we have with the
    Houston Astros) rave about a certain sorry, stuck up, ego lip puffing, spitting, center fielder who is not nearly as good as the manager and TV announcer thinks and says he is. It is sickening to watch every game we play.
    Honeybee
  12. Da Tennis God
    12. Posted by Da Tennis God Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:26 am EDT

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    Wow! That's so cool!
    I wonder how much of a distraction that is in batting practice.
  13. Uche Iwueze
    13. Posted by Uche Iwueze Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:42 am EDT

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    thats very easy . i do that all the time
  14. james k
    14. Posted by james k Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:48 am EDT

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    I have a hammer trick that is just as impressive, but really though, I think that took some good thinking to figure that one out and it is impressive and entertaining to watch and that is the point isn't it? Thanks for the clip there guy.
    in forever we have the time to think of these things and I'm not taking away from our genius to have the internet to show everyone who seeks such entertainment a chance to see it. great progress. well that's about all on this post for me.
  15. ^_^
    15. Posted by ^_^ Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:58 am EDT

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    Fake? C'mon, who would want to fake that? Anybody who says fake is jealous or has no skills in anything and needs to put someone else down to feel good about themselves.
    To #16: You don't do it with a pen in your hand, you do with a bat! LOL :P
  16. ^_^
    16. Posted by ^_^ Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:01 am EDT

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    To #13: Speaking from experience? ROFL
  17. maymal
    17. Posted by maymal Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:24 am EDT

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    Next video he should use a samurai sword.
  18. Rex
    18. Posted by Rex Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:50 am EDT

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    I have seen this clip before it has been floating around the net for a few years.
    If you look there is no shadow of the bat. Totally fake
  19. Jo C
    19. Posted by Jo C Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:55 am EDT

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    lefties can do that kind of stuff ;-)
  20. faye h
    20. Posted by faye h Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:01 am EDT

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    What is the big deal? He basically is twirling it around like a baton. Anyone that can twirl a baton could probably do this. (Pat H is right on, women have been doing it for years while marching and to add my two cents sometimes even with them lighted!)
  21. ripcord
    21. Posted by ripcord Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:14 am EDT

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    not fake..if u think it is do yourself a favor and get off your butt and see what your body can do.
  22. Bill
    22. Posted by Bill Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:19 am EDT

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    That ain't nutten bubba. I can du dat wit my eyeballs shut.
  23. Tom K
    23. Posted by Tom K Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:24 am EDT

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    Geez, who cares if it's fake, you non believers looked at that video so probably more than once, and that was probably what these guys wanted you to do.
    It's not fake, look at his arm motion, he flips them back to put the bat in motion, it's not a photoshop glitch.
  24. ripcord
    24. Posted by ripcord Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:25 am EDT

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    close u eye and do it , body will thank u
  25. buffalo_balla
    25. Posted by buffalo_balla Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:34 am EDT

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    that looks like a little league dugout....

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