MLB: Stealing Something Other Than Bases Share13 May 2010 As it is approaching the long days of summer, and
there are 162 Major League Baseball games, folks have to
find something other than what actually happens on the field
to discuss. On Monday the 10th of May, the Philadelphia Phillies
were accused of “stealing signs” from the Colorado Rockies.
Phillies bullpen Coach, Mick Billmeyer was caught using
binoculars to look at a Colorado Rockies catcher while
Phillies hitters were at bat. Coach Billmeyer didn’t
have anything to say about it, but the Phillies manager,
Charlie Manuel said that his coach was actually checking out
Phillies catchers and their defensive stance. He also
tried to push off the allegations by saying, “Would we try
to steal somebody's signs? Yeah, if we can. But we don't do
that. We're not going to let a guy stand up there in the
bullpen with binoculars looking in. We're smarter than
that.” Video evidence seems to indicate otherwise.
MLB’s commissioner, Bud Selig told the Phillies to knock it
off, but acknowledges teams have been trying to steal signs
since they existed. |
The BasicsSignals in MLB: All MLB teams use signals to pass information to their players. It looks like a goofy form of sign language. Every team’s language is different. Some signals are sent from the Manager to the coaches on the field, then to the batter. In addition, the catcher signals the pitcher the type of pitch to throw, and how to throw it. Opposing teams have been trying to figure out these signals, or “steal” them since signals existed. Obviously, if they can figure out what the signals mean, they essentially can figure out what the other team is doing. While stealing signs itself is not illegal, it is frowned upon. It is, however, illegal to use electronic equipment to steal signs. Terminology:Signals or Signs: A sort of sign language used in baseball to pass information from the coaches to players on the field. Manager (MLB): Essentially the head coach. Bullpen: Place in the ball park where the pitchers warm up and wait to be called into the game (like a bench in football). At Bat: When a batter is at home plate awaiting pitches to hit. MLB Commissioner: Currently Bud Selig. He is essentially the CEO of MLB. He is picked by a vote of all the owners of the major league teams. |