The Red Sox have a different way that uses a “crowd-sourced” approach to decode opposing catcher’s signals in a similar but different way. In the video below, you can see a man at Fenway Park wearing a headset to decode the signals coming from the catcher’s glove as the catcher signals to the bullpen. Boston’s new technology, called the Red Sox Vision, has been a huge success thus far.
It may seem that baseball is the only sport that doesn’t include sign-stealing in the regular season but, to be fair, it was never meant to be seen. The entire point of sign stealing is to pick up the catcher’s signs without the catcher knowing so the batter can try to guess what pitch is coming.
A player who is caught using this method of cheating will be punished in the form of a suspension and/or a fine.
Teams are constantly trying to figure out new methods to detect and deter sign stealing during games.
The book goes into detail of what the sign stealing is and how it affects the game.
What are Signs in Baseball and Softball?
The sign language used in baseball and softball allows for communication without the other team knowing what the players are saying. Teams practice these signs in Little League, High school ball, College, and MLB levels. Every team has their language on what the signs mean. Also, most teams will change up their signs between innings or games.
Some teams have a “code breaking” scheme where they will break down a team’s signals to help steal information. For example, the San Diego Padres in their 2010 postseason run broke down the Tampa Bay Rays’ signals to a team of their own. The Padres were notorious for breaking down the Rays’ signs for their own advantage, most notably getting to know how their pitcher was going to pitch and where their batters were going to hit.
What are Examples of Signs in Baseball and Softball?
A coach might touch the top of their hat to indicate a base runner should advance, or it could mean the pitcher might call off the pitch, or it could mean the batter might step in, or it could be a signal for a runner to swing as it could mean any number of different things, but all of these things, they are communicating with the hitter. They are communicating with the hitter like a player would communicate with the hitter, so sometimes they might not even realize they do the same thing they are doing.
The catcher’s job is to communicate the pitch type to the pitcher. As the pitcher releases the ball, the catcher watches the ball in the glove. If the ball is a fastball, the catcher might put one of his fingers on the glove, indicating that the pitch will be thrown fast. With a curveball, the catcher might put two fingers down, indicating that the pitch will be thrown slower. With a changeup, the catcher might shake the glove, indicating that the pitch will be thrown mid-range.
Finally, a third base coach can put their hand under their chin to tell the runner that they will steal the second base. The coach might also touch their ears. This might mean a hit and run, or a double steal. They could also cough to indicate that they are in trouble. They might even be about to be sick if that is the case.
While pitchers have to be careful about pitching to a specific batter, they have several options. If a pitcher believes that a hitter is going to take a specific pitch, he can throw a breaking ball in or, if he has a specific pitch he wants to target more than once, he can throw his good pitch twice, especially if the batter is not on base. If the hitter is on second base, he has several options to steal second. He can attempt to beat the throw to the plate from the pitcher, he can attempt to run into a third baseman, or he can try to slide between the lines and into third. If the hitter is on third base and there are no outs, he can attempt to steal home.
How Does Legal Sign Stealing Work During a Game?
The game of baseball and softball is full of cheaters who try to illegally steal signs. They try to be able to tell what the pitcher is going to throw so that they can prepare themselves for what is coming. They might even put tape on their helmet so that they can watch the catcher when he sets up in the box and see what pitch is going to be thrown.
Another example is that a base runner could be signaled to run over to first base to intercept a stolen base, creating a pickoff.
[Original] A few of the other players may have been signaling to the hitter when he is close to the plate.
[Paraphrase] Some players may be signaling that the hitter is close to hitting a pitch.
The legal sign stealing that is discussed in the article is for your opponents to know your intentions on the board before they do. The reason why its ok is because it is part of the game and it is up to the opposing team to protect their signs.
What Does a Team Need to Do to Protect their Signs?
A coach might not want the pitcher to put his glove up as a signal to hit, but he might put it up at the same time, or he might tell the pitcher to set the signs on the back of the mound to make it harder for the hitter to read them. When a pitcher does it, he might do it when he is already on the rubber or he might wait until the batter is making his swing, but the pitcher might be thinking that the batter is going to swing anyway, so it is better for him to set the signs before the hitter is ready to swing at the ball.
Second base is a dead ball. Catchers are not supposed to set up on the first step when a ball is hit to the right side of second base. They are not supposed to tell runners where the next pitch is coming either. Catchers are there to try and tag out any runners at second and are not supposed to throw anything in any direction in an attempt to beat out a runner.
A coaching staff is important for game strategy, but the players have to be involved and make sure they know the opponent’s sign language. For instance, if a catcher is a good signer, he should watch for signals when his pitcher is in the dirt. As players have a better view of the game, it may benefit a pitcher to have a catcher he likes to throw to in the dirt. A pitcher might be able to “tell” a catcher what he is doing out of the dugout.
What Did the Houston Astros Do in 2017 that Took Sign-Stealing to a New Level?
Mike Fiers, revealed how the Astros were monitoring the signals to the location of pitches in real-time through a video replay room and would alert the batter of what was coming. The video of the trash can being hit with the pitch was filmed during the 2017 season. When Jomboy Media recorded a video breaking down the noise of the trash can hit with the pitch, the regular audience understood what was going on.
Baseball player and MLB executive Joe Torre was quoted as having said, “I didn’t believe it,” while speaking about the sign-stealing and the Astros.
The Astros were trying to figure out a way to keep all their players, coaches, and front office informed of the location of pitches.
With the information gathered, they looked into different methods of real-time video analysis. They used a camera that would be next to the batter, a camera in the dugout, and one at the backstop. There were also some other methods, but the team couldn’t figure out a way that would work. One time, a batter had a chance to hit a home run, but it was on the warning track because they had no idea where a ball was in the stadium.
The Astros also lost their general manager Jeff Luhnow, from the front office. He was a major part in this scandal. Also, the Astros lost their manager A.J. Hinch, from the front office. He also was a major part in this scandal. Also, Houston lost their first-round draft picks, which will cost them draft picks in the future.
What was the Problem with what the Houston Astros Do?
A camera feed was seen on live television broadcasting the Astros home games. The live feed of the Astros games meant that the hitters knew what pitch was coming, leading to longer games. Teams began changing their signs multiple times during the games, leading to longer games.
The Houston Astros cheated, but they still won the World Series. If MLB took away the Astros trophy, it would be impossible to change the outcome of the game. The Astros are a good team, and baseball is not a fair sport.
Did Any Other Teams Do Anything Similar?
The Boston Red Sox were also doing some form of sign stealing with the Apple watch to a pitcher that was then communicated to the hitter in the dugout.
The Washington Nationals and the Milwaukee Brewers were discovered to be using signs from multiple umpires on the same team.
The Astros used the same technology that the Red Sox and Yankees use for real time sign relaying to relay signs to Astros hitters. By having the information on a batter’s helmet, it allowed the pitcher to work in one of the most advanced ways to learn the catcher’s tendencies. Because of that, they were able to pitch their best against the Astros all year.
Have the Houston Astros Done Any Other Type of Cheating?
While the team has been suspected of stealing signs for the past few years, the report from Fox Sports Radio suggests that the Astros players received buzzers to alert them of pitches, and the Astros were also using a special camera positioned high in the stands to capture the actions of opposing batters.
But after the game, Jose Altuve said he didn’t have a buzzer, and if he did, he would have used it. There was a similar thing that happened in the NLDS when the Cubs gave the Braves an extra out at the end of a tied game in the 9th. The Braves got an out, then Matt Adams hit a walk-off home run, but the Cubs had been given a walk-off opportunity, and they didn’t get it.
However, fans are seeing buzzers on the walls at Minute Maid Park, and the Houston Astros have posted videos of the buzzer.
Can Technology Help Limit Sign Stealing During Games?
Electronic images are displayed on the pitcher’s mound during the game. The catcher uses the images to signal to the pitcher which signs to throw to the next batter.
And when they do steal signs from each other, you would think that they would get busted, right? Wrong.
Conclusion: What is Sign Stealing in Baseball?
“Stealing signs” is not in itself illegal. You may be able to get a game thrown out on appeal if the home team is found to be using illegal signs, but you have to prove that the home team was using illegal signs.
