- May 29, 2015
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Which rulebook? LL?
Little League specific ... this is not a rule in NFHS, USA, USSSA, or PONY. I started to say “no other code” but that got me in trouble once.
I learned something new in this thread!
Which rulebook? LL?
LL doesn't say it's cheating, they Say it's unsportsmanlike conductLittle League, huh? So this thread begs the question, what happens when the defense picks up on the steal sign, fake bunt sign, or hit away sign, and subsequently relays that to the defense. Who gets ejected? The third baseman for not moving up when she believes the fake bunt is on? The Shortstop for breaking early to prepare for the steal? I would imagine that it has to work both ways.
I will close with, stealing signs is not cheating. Cheating is gaining an unfair advantage through dishonesty (Webster). Picking up on signs is certainly not dishonest.
LL doesn't say it's cheating, they Say it's unsportsmanlike conduct
There have been plenty of threads on this board over the years about how generally most people do not like sign stealing because it's bush and unsportsmanlike.
Concur.It is neither.
If I agree that sign stealing is Bush League and unsportsmanlike, then my next question is; in the event that you decipher the 3B Coach's signal for steal or fake bunt, is the answer to do nothing? Do I let my 3B charge on a fake bunt? Can I be accused of stealing if I anticipate the pitch call because I indicate to my batter the catcher is setting up outside?There have been plenty of threads on this board over the years about how generally most people do not like sign stealing because it's bush and unsportsmanlike.
Final thought, knowing a fastball is coming doesn't help you hit it.
What? Sure it does. it eliminates having to watch for a change up or a curve, or a drop ball, etc.... That is a huge advantage.Final thought, knowing a fastball is coming doesn't help you hit it.
You say this pre-supposing that there will be no flaw in the hitter's execution, and the pitch will be exactly where the hitter believes it will be located.What? Sure it does. it eliminates having to watch for a change up or a curve, or a drop ball, etc.... That is a huge advantage.
Knowing a change up is coming helps out a bunch. Same thing with a curve. And a drop. AND A FASTBALL.
You say this pre-supposing that there will be no flaw in the hitter's execution, and the pitch will be exactly where the hitter believes it will be located.
I'm not saying that it guarantees a dinger every at bat. I'm saying it is unequivocally advantageous to know what pitch is coming as it eliminates one of the numerous mysteries a batter faces. No one can argue that. Rather no one SHOULD argue that.You say this pre-supposing that there will be no flaw in the hitter's execution, and the pitch will be exactly where the hitter believes it will be located.