Outlaw armbands

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Jul 5, 2016
652
63
I wish the armbands were banned. Teach the girls signals. Let catchers call games. They can learn.
 
Jan 28, 2017
1,662
83
At a tournament this weekend and an older gentleman in 80's walked over to our coach and said, Why are you yelling numbers out at the girls? Our coach let him look at the cards and he commented that's interesting. Then said, when I played we would just hit and bunt. If we could steal we would steal. Throw hard and if you had a good breaking ball throw it. He then walked away. He wasn't with our team. I should have talked with him a little more. I have a feeling he could play a little back in the day.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I wish the armbands were banned. Teach the girls signals. Let catchers call games. They can learn.

I'm all for teaching a catcher to call a game, but there's no reasonable, logical explanation for why a team should use convoluted signals over wristbands on offense. Wristbands result in fewer missed signals. They speed up the game. They're much, much better.
 
Oct 5, 2017
214
43
Western Indiana
I'm all for teaching a catcher to call a game, but there's no reasonable, logical explanation for why a team should use convoluted signals over wristbands on offense. Wristbands result in fewer missed signals. They speed up the game. They're much, much better.

Sorry, I totally disagree. Armbands slow the game down around here. Played a team the other night that the coach was so slow calling her numbers my batters continually had to step out of the box. I cold give a "old school" signal have my player in the box ready to go and wait sometimes up to a minute. No that is not an exaggeration. And before anyone yells, well that was a HS coach. She also coaches most of those players in TB. It was so slow at times the umpire was telling the pitcher to proceed. Did get one ball call before they got a little quicker but not much. So I am not a fan.

The college game can handle the bands but still think they slow the game down. I do see where it helps the rest of the defense though, that would be the major advantage. IMHO
 
Nov 4, 2015
320
43
Played a team this weekend where on many occasions the catcher, plate umpire, and our batter were all standing looking at the coach waiting for the pitch number to be called out. And every third pitch was the same number. I like the idea of the wrist bands, but coaches need to be prepared to call the pitch. Would like for it to be where you cant yell out numbers. In college, they use a system where the play can be called out with a series of numbers using 1 hand. When coaches from each team are yelling out 3 and 4 digit numbers, it just feels funny. Batter steps out and sees the signal while catcher and pitcher see their signal. Quick and easy. It's not the wristbands that slow things down. It's how the coaches manage it that does.
 
Apr 16, 2010
924
43
Alabama
It's not the arm band slowing them down its the coach. If they can't call numbers how do you think they could give a signal any faster. If a coach is signalling the catcher they still have to relay that to the pitcher. With a number system both get it at the same time. Of course the coach has to be ready to actually call a pitch.

The wristband also give teams the ability to change "signs" midway through a game. Our TB team runs 3 cards and DD's HS team runs 4. The HS team keeps it very simple but there is no way anyone could figure it out because they never know which card it comes from.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
Would like for it to be where you cant yell out numbers. In college, they use a system where the play can be called out with a series of numbers using 1 hand. When coaches from each team are yelling out 3 and 4 digit numbers, it just feels funny. Batter steps out and sees the signal while catcher and pitcher see their signal. Quick and easy. It's not the wristbands that slow things down. It's how the coaches manage it that does.

It sounds like some coaches do not understand the wristband system. If you are doing it correctly you do not verbally give the numbers; you sign the numbers with your hand. There is zero chance that wristbands will slow the game down unless you have coaches that are poor at their jobs.

If anything our pitchers get warned for working to fast (wait on the batter to get their old school signal, wait on the umpire, etc....). On offense we sign one three digit number to the batter and base-runners at the same time...there is no way you can be faster than that with any other system. On top of that we have ZERO missed signs.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
The above stated problems of wristbands are actually coach problems. Our coach has the next play or pitch ready immediately and we are usually waiting on the other team to give their signs.
 
Apr 16, 2010
924
43
Alabama
Another issue with the pace of play is coaches giving signals on every stinking pitch while at bat. If the number 4 hitter is up with the bases loaded and 2 outs everyone in America knows she is not bunting or doing anything other than trying to put the ball in the grass. We do not need you giving her the green light call every pitch.

I admit we have ran a squeeze in that situation but the hitter knew she was doing it on the second pitch before she went to the plate as long as the defense was at normal depth. No signals needed.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
I'm all for teaching a catcher to call a game, but there's no reasonable, logical explanation for why a team should use convoluted signals over wristbands on offense. Wristbands result in fewer missed signals. They speed up the game. They're much, much better.

Depends if you appreciate easy over intelligence. Could have the same effect as allowing calculators in the classroom instead of teaching simple mathematical applications.
 

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