Opposing teams 3rd base coach calling our pitch locations.

[knightsb]

Guys guys, the answer is so easy. You change the signals to the mathematical process. I covered a portion of it in the " sign sign everywhere a sign " thread.

For pitching its simple, the catcher gives 2-3 signals of a called pitch. Each inning you choose a different number to be the correct call.

Quick example.....

First inning catcher gives curve then rise then drop. But the pitcher knows the second call is the indicator.

Next inning change the indicating number to the first called. Catcher still calls 3 different pitches.

Younger teams I probably start off with just 2 called pitches and alternate and mix the indicating number.

Done correctly no one can pick up this system.

GD, in this situation, he was picking up pitch location based on how the catcher was setting up, not based on signs. The frustrating thing is we have been trying to follow the advice on this forum to let the girls call the game. By this coach interjecting himself, it messed a little with both the catcher and pitcher. This is something we will work on in practice this week. I just needed to rant a bit.

 

[marriard]

Calling signs is still better than the 3rd base coach in full baseball uniform coaching 10U travel (for one of the more despised organizations locally) we saw this weekend.

He had the entire setup from shoes, belted pants, belt, jersey, cap, etc.

 

[Sweet Lou]

GD good points but in this thread I think it has been catcher tipping of location with where she sets up, not necessarily giving away the picth type.

back when I played BB I was pretty good at picking up when a pitcher was tipping his pitches, how he held the glove, what he did on grips, etc. and would tell guys OK if I call your number "give it a ride #7" it is a curve ball, if I call your name "drive the ball Jones" it is a fast ball. that kind of thing. if I dont call anything you're on your own. But then that was as a player, not a coach.

 

[TrueUT]

I had a similar situation this weekend with an opposing dugout coach stealing my simple signs such as pitch and location. I didn't try to disguise them because we're 12U and if you want that advantage as a coach then IMO you're pathetic. The worst part is it took him 2 innings to figure out I was giving 3 signs with 1st as pitch, 2nd as location, and 3rd as a decoy. Once I picked up on it, 2 hitters, I changed it up and he was forced to quit calling out. Then the HC at 3b decided to walk to the OF grass and foul line and peek into catchers signs. Now I played and coached college BB and consider stealing signs a part of the game, why else disguise your signs then? I also feel if you're caught simply admit to it and move on. I notified the umpire to relegate the coach to the coaching box as stated in the rules. He asked why and I said he's peeking into my catcher's signs. The umpire instead of saying to the 3b coach quietly, stay in your box announced it to the crowd that i was accusing him of stealing signs. Of course their stands go nuts and start laughing making comments about poor loser and etc. We were losing 4-3 in the 3rd. Not like we were getting blown out, but whatever. We ended up losing by 3 and at end of game their coach comes over to plead his case. He got caught lying 3 times during his pleading. On Sunday he was playing a team I am friendly with and I happened to walk up in 2nd inning and there he is again calling out signs. i notified the HC of what he was doing and unbelievably the liar got mercied after that point. Plain and simple it's part of the game, but don't lie about it and try to hide your insanity.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

Sorry guys, I didn't realize my first read of the OP was more from the catchers stance as oppose to catchers signals.

I see coaches trying to read signals all the time. It's my duty ( and a little fun ) to confuse them as much as I can. The mathematical signals for batting, pitching, and base running are the best IMO out there. They can be a little difficult to learn and master, but almost impossible to read or pick up.

 

[PGSAKen]

What Ill do is see it as that coach challenging me-not the girls. I tell my girls that they play their game vs the ball and the other girls and Ill play my game with the umpires and coaches. They now could care less what the other coaches do-they tell each other "shake it off-coach will handle that"

I love animating my signals and then talking through my catcher to that coach. he usually embarasses himself. the result is my catcher, coaches, and sometimes the umpires get a chuckle out of the game.

My skin is thick and my tolerance of ego is small. i love playing a game of wits with an idiot whose ego is way to big

And I do read signals. I only tip my hand though when absolutely necessary. The rest of the time I teach my girls to read signals and talk theory of how to react to game situations created by read signals.

it does me no good to know the call but if my girls know the call......

 

[Greenmonsters]

Relative to the OP's situation, catchers need to be taught to set up properly, but in general if a team is not well coached enough to prevent their signs from being stolen, how is that the other team's fault? Change the signs or keep the same signs and cross them up - you only have to set up outside and throw inside 1 or 2 times before the hitter loses confidence in the coach's verbal cues, particularly if the catcher informs the batter what's taking place.

 

[Greenmonsters]

What Ill do is see it as that coach challenging me-not the girls. I tell my girls that they play their game vs the ball and the other girls and Ill play my game with the umpires and coaches. They now could care less what the other coaches do-they tell each other "shake it off-coach will handle that"

I love animating my signals and then talking through my catcher to that coach. he usually embarasses himself. the result is my catcher, coaches, and sometimes the umpires get a chuckle out of the game.

My skin is thick and my tolerance of ego is small. i love playing a game of wits with an idiot whose ego is way to big

And I do read signals. I only tip my hand though when absolutely necessary. The rest of the time I teach my girls to read signals and talk theory of how to react to game situations created by read signals.

it does me no good to know the call but if my girls know the call......

AND the other team doesn't realize it...then you're in business

 

[redhotcoach]

Oregan coach was yelling "CHANGE" mid pitch several times last weekend.

 

[PGSAKen]

Oregan coach was yelling "CHANGE" mid pitch several times last weekend.

and my response would be "Coach we dont need to know your political affiliations/feelings" "Coach this isnt a double date" "Squirel" along with many more sarcastic remarks poking fun at him and keeping my girls playing loose.