Is this appropriate or normal for the opposing team to do this?

[Chad Strahler]

A lot of things are not against the rules but just shouldn't be done -
This is one of them.
The idea is for the girls to be able to learn to anticipate and read pitches it's just a distraction to have the coach - Or worse yet the parents yelling what pitch they think is coming.
The worst part is It does nothing to make the batter better and that should be a coaches only goal.

Couldn't agree more that was my point too. Thanks for making it for me! I like it when people scream watch the change, makes the fastball about 2 mph faster because their mind is thinking sit on it...

 

[Chad Strahler]

Not breaking the rules, but extremely classless ... just my opinion ... parents should not be inserting themselves in their children's games against other children ... seriously ...

I have your wrist bands but this team had a parent from their team lingering behind our dugout, iour parents and folks kind of squeezed him and he backed way up is that ok too for everyone? I seen him doing it to another team earlier but never really thought twice about it. Not sure besides writing every number down I called and then watching for change how else it can be stolen though. Quite honestly not sure they had our signs but I was told every time I threw a change up the coach hollered something specific. Either way it didn't matter. They were good group of hitters but struggled and frustrated the heck out of them the whole game with the change up. So if they knew it was coming they still struggled hitting it.

 

[dominic21]

I have seen this happen last year. To stop it from happen this year, we have implemented a wrist band system. We shall see how it works.

 

[lhowser]

Trying to get a competitive edge by learning an opponents signs and tendencies is a part of all sports - football you try and pick an audible system, pitching look for patterns in a pitchers motion, third base coach what's the bunt and steal sign. It is a part of the game. How you communicate the info to your team is a reflection of how you interpret words like classy, sportsmanship, good faith and so on.

When a team is being picked it can really rattle them. I've been in the dugout when it's a real distraction when coaches and players are upset that their signs are being picked. It's a shame when parents do it but there's always one in every crowd, can't be helped. If it gets you mad remember the serenity prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

You can't change the other team but you can change signs, systems and whether or not you let it get to you.

 

[coachtomv]

Just because they know, or think they know, what your going to do do not mean they can stop it. They still have to execute, so do your jobs well and see what happens. Lol

 

[kelbot]

Removing the ethic question from it, I wonder how fruitful it really is? Nothing worse than expecting off speed and then getting it blown right by you.

I tell my DD to look for patterns and go-to pitches. Meaning first pitch fastball to get up in the count early or when she's up 0-2 or 1-2 she likes to throw a change. Something tangible, but nothing concrete. See it and hit it.

 

[coachjwb]

Baseball/softball are games of percentages and millimeters ... it's a huge difference if a player hits .250 or .350 though it's only 1 more hit in every 10 at bats, and it is probably the result of getting just a few more millimeters of the bat on the ball. It's a huge difference if you field .950 vs. .900 even though it's only 1 less error every 20 chances. It's a huge difference if pitches are breaking another 1/2" and/or if they're just catching the corner of the plate.

While it is all about execution as Tom says, it's also a huge advantage to the other team if they know what your team is doing and can increase their percentages dramatically. Regardless of how we feel about signs being stolen in youth games, it is going to happen as coaches, players, and sometimes even parents try to get their team that little bit more of an advantage. Len's quote is spot on ... "You can't change the other team but you can change signs, systems and whether or not you let it get to you."

 

[FastBat]

I tell my DD to look for patterns and go-to pitches. Meaning first pitch fastball to get up in the count early or when she's up 0-2 or 1-2 she likes to throw a change. Something tangible, but nothing concrete. See it and hit it.

That's basically it. Use common sense.

 

[ErieDiamonds02]

use more advanced signs...my 12 year olds use Own the Zone its fun to watch teams try and decipher the pattern

 

[coachjwb]

The best combination that gives your team the most chance to win is to use common sense and watch for patterns re: what the other team is doing, and to use a foolproof system with your own signs that do not have any patterns that can be deciphered/stolen by the opponent. That's why you see football teams at almost every level using wristband systems these days, and more and more softball teams using them too. More baseball coaches should be using them as well, but most of the ones I've talk to seem to be just "old school".

 

[Canfieldcrush100]

I actually caught a manager who is very well know on the zone stealing my signs at a 10u game a few years ago. 1-FB - 2-change but my pitcher had a good change so he felt he had to cheat standing behind the netting of the backstop. When I confronted him he was embarrassed and first denied then apologized. I know it's part of the game but come on 10u. We've gone to wrist band with 2-3 cards much easier. Especially in games where the ump won't let you get a clear line of sight to the catcher.

 

[LADY lOOKOUTS]

stealing signals is part of the game. However, I do not encourage or do it myself. but each coach can do how they see fit. In my opinion the player still has to complete their mission. example: if a coach picks up the bunt, my player still has to bunt it, their players still have to field it make the throw and first still has to catch it. Shoot there has been times when my girls cant get a bunt down. I simply tell them you are bunting until you get it down. even if they have 2 strikes, and I dont care who knows. Its about executtion.

 

[Softball04]

I don't know if it appropriate or not but Thunder 04 has a kiddo that will steal your signs in a heartbeat and then make fun of you for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Classic!

Shes a lefty and a catcher. Coaches BEWARE!

 

[24GahannaLadyLions7]

Part of the game - it's our fault as coaches if they are getting stolen either from other players or other coaches.. I feel it's gamesmanship.

What do you think of a girl who is on second base telling the batter where the catcher is setting up? or a batter who peaks back at the catcher before the pitcher delivers. What do you do at for that? Easy.. catcher sets up late!! (i know some of you thought plunk her)

You just adapt during the game, coaches have to have in-game adjustments....

Saw Georgia use 2 different wristband cards during the game -- they probably did it more than what I saw on TV... great system.. it's easy to switch out cards from inning to inning or every 3 innings -- I would probably say when they are up against a Fla or Bama, they could be switching out cards every inning

keep plugging that wristband system Jeff

 

[bucketdad61]

All pitchers tip their pitches. A good hitter can pick up on that. In the long run, it's better to teach kids how to recognize pitches and study pitchers. That's all there is to it.