I didn't think I would see it in HS.....

[RubberBiscuit]

What an incredibly sophisticated system.

I know,.....right!

It was so frustrating as in the first inning our coaches recognized what was going on, made one yell "hey she's stealing signs", and then just gave up the rest of the way through the game. Geesh - I hope at least by the next time we play that team we have developed some kind of counter-terrorism method....

Again, I am soooo used to it in TB where it is dog-eat-dog. It fits in that environment. I just didn't think I would see it in HS. I always thought HS had this sort of characteristic of "we don't lower ourselves to that kind of ultra-competitive behavior".

 

[Lozza]

If you're dumb enough to not let your catcher call, you deserve to have your signs stolen.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

I know,.....right!

It was so frustrating as in the first inning our coaches recognized what was going on, made one yell "hey she's stealing signs", and then just gave up the rest of the way through the game. Geesh - I hope at least by the next time we play that team we have developed some kind of counter-terrorism method....

Again, I am soooo used to it in TB where it is dog-eat-dog. It fits in that environment. I just didn't think I would see it in HS. I always thought HS had this sort of characteristic of "we don't lower ourselves to that kind of ultra-competitive behavior".

I know you're frustrated RB, rightfully so, it always stings more when it happens to our DD's.

If your coach knew it in the first inning, I just don't understand why he would keep using it? Inserting a indicator or swipe, or using the bump, is a quick/simple method to buy yourself thru a few innings or a game.

Talk to the coach, he's gonna need at least something in place if you play this team again. For future years, the coach needs to investigate other call systems. The wrist band grid is probably the most fool proof at this time.

 

[coach james]

I think its classless.

I agree. However, it's still part of the game. My only question is, why does this surprise you? As others have stated, stealing signs happens at all levels. Just because the other coach was an rear about it doesn't change the fact that the Head Coach shouldn't have expected it and had a system in place to combat it let alone pick up the fact that they were stolen in the first place. There are too many options to make this work against them. For example, when baserunners start telling the batters whether the pitch will be inside or outside due to the catcher setting up early, I have a signal thst tells the catcher to do the opposite but only for that pitch. i.e. The pitch is inside but I will tell my catcher to set up outside until the Pitcher reaches the 12 O'clock position. then move to receive it. I do this intermittently and then they usually quit trying to relay when they screw up and the batter strikes out or hits a weak grounder for the out. It's just too easy to mess with them.

It doesn't surprise me, I've had plenty of teams try to pick our calls. I just think its Bush league. But I do like your way of combating it with your catcher...
I'm afraid we're gonna see it more and more.
I used wrist bands a couple years ago more so for defensive shifts, cuts, and relays etc.. but we may have to go back to them for calling pitching.
Maybe I'll install a wireless ear piece from a two way radio in my catchers helmet and we'll call that way, but I'm sure somebody will eventually find a way to hack that too!

 

[GOINGDEEP]

Couple of things here. Signals are a way of communicating with your players in a manner to basically "hide" the intentions. The other side uses counter-intelligence to decode your hiden code, and communicate that to their players. I'm not sure we can classify it as "bush", when we/you are trying to decieve with signals instead of just yelling out the play.

If you're playing rec or church league type play, basic signals will probably get you by, no need have a million dollar system for $100 players. ( I don't mean that in a bad way, just a example, we played rec too ) Once you move into competitive play ( TB, competitive HS ball, college ) you're going to need a more competitive signal system. Youre playing against coaches who have seen 100's if not 1000's of signals, once they find the "primer" in the code............it's all over.

 

[Indiana]

I was asking my DH about signs and sign stealing the other day - in his HS and college ball days the catcher always called the pitches and sign stealing, while part of the game, wasn't a huge issue. He said that their catcher would always flash three or four signs and the guys would know ahead of time that they were working on the "2nd" or "third" sign. When the other team stole the signs, they would just switch up which sign they were working from.

This seems to make a lot more sense than the wrist bands that I see so many teams using. The pitcher steps back from the rubber, looks at the coach, looks at her wrist, pause, pause, steps onto the rubber, gets the "sign" from the catcher. Pitches. It takes forever.

Sorry about the irritating coach, RB - the ice comment was over the top.

 

[fastpitch]

I don't think there is anything wrong with stealing signs. One of my DD's head coaches always had basic easy signs which other coaches and players would eventually pick up. ie. they would always know when we were bunting or stealing. Its pretty obvious when the 3b watches our head coach give the bunt sign and then walks all the way in and yells "watch for bunt!"

Another of her head coaches used the wristband system... which I found basically just stops the other coach/team from even trying to pick up anything.

Frankly, when coaching I never think about or try stealing signs from the other team. Its too much thinking...

 

[MsDinosaur]

If cookies are left out for Santa...

Problem solved with the catcher calling.

Yes. Or change the signs around and catch them off-guard. DD's team has wristband cards. They can change out cards between innings--problem solved (for a little while anyway).

 

[00fpdaddy]

I know you're frustrated RB, rightfully so, it always stings more when it happens to our DD's.

If your coach knew it in the first inning, I just don't understand why he would keep using it? Inserting a indicator or swipe, or using the bump, is a quick/simple method to buy yourself thru a few innings or a game.

Talk to the coach, he's gonna need at least something in place if you play this team again. For future years, the coach needs to investigate other call systems. The wrist band grid is probably the most fool proof at this time.

Gd I agree with you but we are always told as parents, dont interfere with the HC and or coaches in high school. Even done in a non threating manner, some HS coaches are so full of themselves they wont take it as a helpful observation but a knock and critizism on their wealth of softball knowlege.

 

[00fpdaddy]

How does the wristband grid system work? I have seen it, but never acutally asked someone about it.