When the term “no-look” is used in sports, we typically think of basketball stars who may not need to look when taking shots or making passes.
For instance, Los Angeles Lakers great and Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson was famous for making no-look passes during the age of the “Showtime” Lakers.
In baseball, we don’t typically hear a lot about players doing things without having to look.
But on Monday night, Oakland Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda was able to accomplish this.
On a ground ball to first base by Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Geraldo Perdomo, Noda misplayed the ball and watched it slip away from him.
However, he got back to the ball and made an underhand toss under his legs to pitcher Adrian Martinez to record the out.
MLB posted a video of the moment on Twitter.
The no-look, between-the-legs shovel pass! pic.twitter.com/U0vrejfqIX
— MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2023
Noda had to think quickly in order to make this play.
As the ball got away from him and he was forced to scramble, he almost performed a “hiking” motion, similar to what centers do in the NFL to get the ball to the quarterback.
And so, Noda hiked the ball straight to Martinez, who stretched and held on to record the out.
Of course, Noda had no time to look at where he was throwing the ball, as Perdomo’s speed was going to make it a close play.
However, he was accurate enough to get the out at first base and make a truly remarkable play.
Oakland lost by a final of 5-2, but Noda’s play stole the show.
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