I don't think it is but a friend says he heard on one of the local sports show that it is.
2007-09-13 06:40:36 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
Coaches and players are always trying to steal the signs of the opposing team. I don't think it is against the rules unless you are using videos to watch a coach give the signs.
2007-09-13 06:49:31 · answer #1 · answered by k_valko 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stealing signs has been a part of baseball since the beginning of the game. That is why there are signs; to disguise what the team is trying to accomplish. I played varisty baseball while in college. One of the jobs I had when I was not starting was to try to steal signs. No, I did not bring a camera and video tape the signs, but I studied what the coaches and players did in the other dugout to see what was going on, on the field.
When I was in the game, and made it to second; you bet your bottom dollar I was trying to find out what the signs were and relay them to the batter. Catchers have three, sometimes more sets of signs to give to a pitcher to indicate type and location for each pitch.
I would change them every time someone got on second. I would also remember to use a different set if the same guy ended up on second more than once. Sometimes I would change them during a single at bat, while someone is on second. Our team practiced drills on sign stealing and relaying.
The big leagues are the same. For example, have you ever seen Juan Pierre, or Kenny Lofton on first base? They always look into the catcher to see if his legs are wide enough for them to see the signal. If they can get a pattern on what might be an offspeed pitch, they can try to steal second.
Stealing signs are not illegal. That being said, a batter cannot look to see the signs the catcher is giving, although he is free to received any relayed message from teammates.
2007-09-13 07:06:24 · answer #2 · answered by Thomas M 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This happens all the time in baseball. It's part of the game, it's not illegal. That's why catchers will go through a series of signals behind the plate so the batter or runner on the bases or the coaches don't know which pitch will be thrown. Same goes with the signals given from the dugout to the 3B coach. Of all those gestures you see, only one is the actual signal. Plus, like others have said, it is an unwritten rule among the players to remain ethical and fair. They all understand these rules. And for the players that go against it, you usually see a fastball hit them right between the numbers.
2007-09-13 07:06:26 · answer #3 · answered by r u serious? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is legal to steal signs and it happens all the time. The unwritten rule is that you don't go about it in too underhanded a way. You can watch the coaches relay the signs from the bench or field but if you have a scout in the stands somewhere (like what the Giants did against the Dodgers in the 56 or 57 playoffs) with a camera that is not right. So if you are on the bench and watching the 3rd base coach give signs and you figure it out, that's fine.
2007-09-13 08:38:42 · answer #4 · answered by spalffy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not against the rules, but it's an unwritten rule.
Other unwritten rules in baseball:
1. When up by 8 or 9 runs, you don't keep stealing bases.
2. You never attempt to break up a no-hitter by bunting.
3. Never peek back to see where the catcher is setting up.
4. Don't attempt to steal signs when at second base andpass them on to the batter.
5. Don't shout when running behind a player to make it seem to the fielder that his teammate is calling for the ball (see arod from earlier this year.)
6. You throw at my guy, I'll throw at yours.
7. Don't show up a pitcher on a home run, or someone gets plunked.
2007-09-13 06:53:03 · answer #5 · answered by d7602002 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not illegal just annoying. I'm a catcher and thats when you start doing double signs so it gets to the point the batter doesn't know which sign is right and it was said before but it throws off the timing. I remember an umpire I had threatened to call the batter out if he kept looking back. Don't know how legit that was though haha
2016-03-18 05:18:03 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not illegal, but if you're caught stealing signs I can just about guarantee you that the best hitter on your team is going to get plunked in the ribs with a good, hard fastball the next time hes up to bat.
2007-09-13 07:53:37 · answer #7 · answered by DoReidos 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, AND it is part of the game. It is called gamesmanship. It is not illegal, underhanded, or defacing the game. Some people say if you are not cheating you are not trying to win. Stealing signs give the opponent an edge but not to the extent that point along may indeed decide the out come of a game. however, it is a component of the game and you should not ignore it or think negatively about it.
2007-09-13 08:22:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is if it's done by natural observing on the field. Such as a guy on second seeing the catchers sign and signaling the batter. I don't think it's illegal, but it's just about impossible to do since both teammates have so much other stuff to concentrate on.
2007-09-13 06:47:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but it is kind of an unwriten rule. You don't turn around at the last second as a batter to see where the catcher is set up...stuff like that. Cause if you do, the next pitch will hit you right between the letters
2007-09-13 06:49:44 · answer #10 · answered by CJC 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋