Houston Astros and the limits of sign stealing

[The Man In Blue]

I will admit to stealing signs ... just one time. We were on a high school trip to Chicago for scholastic bowl. Some one hatched a brilliant idea to steal a couple of "No Parking" signs that were posted in front of Water Tower Place ...

Not my fault I noticed the bolts were barely in place and made a casual suggestion. Nerds trying to be bad boys and show off for the girls we were hanging with.

 

[radness]

Is this conversation about stealing signs or breaking rules?

Rhetorical.

 

[corlay]

I'm all for stealing signs.......the old fashioned way, and I'm pretty good at it. Cameras and electronic devices, NO WAY!

but why? either way you are stealing signs and cheating.
Because it is slightly more difficult to do it "the old fashioned way" that makes it ok?

And honestly with the teams that I've picked their calls, they may get relayed a third of the time, just depends on the team and the situation.

So, you reserve cheating for only when you really need it? That makes it ok?

 

[ANNASDAD]

but why? either way you are stealing signs and cheating.
Because it is slightly more difficult to do it "the old fashioned way" that makes it ok?



So, you reserve cheating for only when you really need it? That makes it ok?

Yes & yes. Any more questions?

 

[Cannonball]

but why? either way you are stealing signs and cheating.
Because it is slightly more difficult to do it "the old fashioned way" that makes it ok?



So, you reserve cheating for only when you really need it? That makes it ok?

If it were "cheating," please show where it is defined as cheating in the rulebook. In MLB they have a rule against using technology. Is it cheating if a player signals what pitch or location of a pitch while on 2nd Base? Is it cheating if a batter sees the pitcher tipping pitches and tells the hitter what to look for?

 

[corlay]

In MLB they have a rule against using technology.

So, rather than a video camera and pagers, if the Astros had a "sign stealer" out in center field with a pair of high powered binoculars, and a timpani drum - that is ok?

 

[_MIA_]

So, rather than a video camera and pagers, if the Astros had a "sign stealer" out in center field with a pair of high powered binoculars, and a timpani drum - that is ok?

I think binoculars have been banned too, around 2010 if I remember correctly.

 

[Westwind]

Telescopes too. Don’t forget telescopes.

 

[Cannonball]

So, rather than a video camera and pagers, if the Astros had a "sign stealer" out in center field with a pair of high powered binoculars, and a timpani drum - that is ok?

No, that would not. It would not be a member of the team or the coaching staff involved in the game and on the field. Please show me the rule book where it says that stealing signs by players and coaches is against the rules. You suggest that it cheating. To cheat, you have to violate a rule of the game.

Please address these two questions:

1. Is it cheating if a player signals what pitch or location of a pitch while on 2nd Base?
2. Is it cheating if a batter sees the pitcher tipping pitches and tells the hitter what to look for?

 

[radness]

Why are some people shocked at the reading other teams signs thing?
My goodness in 10u players wear wrist band with extensive
(excessive) # combinations.

Not certain either why some dont grasp
'the rulebook' aspect to this?

That being said...
This entire conversation is
diluted and vague when teams like the Astros, who clearly broke rules, still have a MLB World Series Championship under their belt.

* Doesnt football have direct speaker inside helmet for quarterback?
What the heck....
Rules say no technology,
Maybe a little technology might help?!

Cb radio even...sheeeshh JK