"Stick it in her ear"

default · May 3, 2010

If you believe that stealing signs is part of the game, regardless of age, then you better believe a "purpose" bean ball is part of the game, regardless of age. You can't have one and expect not having the "potential" of the other.

In other words, if you're trying to steal signs, expect the worse....and live with it. You dealt your own hand..........

Len

default · May 3, 2010

DD pitches and hits a few batters due to missing inside. A coach told his batters to put their toes on the plate. After she hit 2 of them in the knee (with a decent lead in the game), he said "See - she doesn't like it." She told me she actually did like it. I doubt she would throw at anyone's head even if coach told her to do it. She last threw at a batter's head when she was 11 or 12 and the control was simply not very good.

default · May 3, 2010

My dd is a pitcher and I don't think I could get her to intentionally hit a batter. If I would tell her to hit the batter or she is coming out, she'd say "take me out". She's very competitive but doesn't want to intentionally hurt someone, she's too nice a kid...I have NO idea where she gets it!!

default · May 3, 2010

Since each team (offense and defense) is giving signals, I don't see the big deal about stealing them. If you don't like it, make your signals fool proof. I do however see a problem with the non-team members (coaches, players) announcing the stolen signs. Leave it to the team to do that and not the parents in the stands. I also don't see a reason why the catcher has to set up for the pitch, especially before the pitchers' wind-up. If they are good enough to hit inside/outside and high/low, then they should be catchable pitches by a decent catcher. If not, then you you have to work with your catchers on technique.

This past weekend on TV one of the college team's catcher had a play wristband on, like the QB's do in football so there's one way to get around it. And speaking of football, many college teams have multiple signals into the QB, and even the NFL has speaker's in the helmets. There are plenty of ways to get around the other team learning your signals - don't blame them because you're lazy and won't/can't change them.

As for how to retaliate - this is what we did in HS. I was the catcher so we'd either throw above the batter's head or behind him. After retrieving the ball I told him LOUDLY so his team's coaches could hear "next one will be where we want it". That usually got the message across, no one got hurt and it only cost us a ball and not a base runner.

default · May 3, 2010

ohlovessteelers said:
A coach told his batters to put their toes on the plate....

Umpire should have held up the "stop sign" to the pitcher, instructed the batters to properly position themselves in the batter's box and not allowed a pitch until they complied.

default · May 3, 2010

Wookie said:
Since each team (offense and defense) is giving signals, I don't see the big deal about stealing them. If you don't like it, make your signals fool proof. I do however see a problem with the non-team members (coaches, players) announcing the stolen signs. Leave it to the team to do that and not the parents in the stands. I also don't see a reason why the catcher has to set up for the pitch, especially before the pitchers' wind-up. If they are good enough to hit inside/outside and high/low, then they should be catchable pitches by a decent catcher. If not, then you you have to work with your catchers on technique.

This past weekend on TV one of the college team's catcher had a play wristband on, like the QB's do in football so there's one way to get around it. And speaking of football, many college teams have multiple signals into the QB, and even the NFL has speaker's in the helmets. There are plenty of ways to get around the other team learning your signals - don't blame them because you're lazy and won't/can't change them.

As for how to retaliate - this is what we did in HS. I was the catcher so we'd either throw above the batter's head or behind him. After retrieving the ball I told him LOUDLY so his team's coaches could hear "next one will be where we want it". That usually got the message across, no one got hurt and it only cost us a ball and not a base runner.

You must be a politician, you are on both sides of the fence. :lmao:

Why would you retaliate if you didn't think it was wrong for them to steal your signs?

Sounds like you were a stud catcher in H.S. What D1 college did you go on to play for?

default · May 3, 2010

From my point of view, girls trying to steal the signs is part of the game.

But for a coach to yell out the pitches is unprofessional.. It demonstrates that the coach does not teach his players nor have the confidence in his girls in what type/location of pitch to expect.

At what point do you send them to the plate to figure it out on their own? When they turn 16, do you ride everywhere in the car with them when they drive?

As a coach, you should be watching the batter for proper form, pitch location, and pitch type. Then you can actually do some coaching/instructing when that girl gets back into the dug-out and you can effectively debrief her on her at-bat. One of the best feelings in the world is when the batter gets back to the dugout and she automatically tells you what actually happened out there and what she has to do to correct it.

default · May 3, 2010

Wookie said:
And speaking of football, many college teams have multiple signals into the QB, and even the NFL has speaker's in the helmets. There are plenty of ways to get around the other team learning your signals - don't blame them because you're lazy and won't/can't change them.

In Ohio, this is illegal - I looked into it!! ;&

My DD's, a pitcher and a catcher, know to listen around...if they hear a dad say 'wait on it' or 'look for the change' the pitcher DD will do a little flip of her glove or the catcher DD will do a little nod to change the pitch to a fastball. They love it when players/coaches call out pitches, it puts that nanosecond of thought into the batter's head..."daddy said change up, oops, that ball went right by me!!" You just have to havea pitcher/catcher in tune with each other, being sisters, it works to their advantage....

default · May 3, 2010

This is one of my Favorite stories....... the fact that I love embarrassing my daughter has nothing to do with it.
At 14U we played The Ice at NSA states in teal town, my dd and her partner in crime, which shall remain nameless ( oh what the hell i,ll embarrass her too, 6shooters mom,s dd )had become very proficient in stealing signs from the catcher and where she was going to set up. After bragging that it was like stealing candy from a baby something strange happened, my dd was at the plate, catch called time went to the mound for a little meeting, play resumes, catcher sets up outside, my dd leans into the plate and yes you guessed it .......WHAM....... Hit her face mask so hard it spun her helmet on her head so she was looking out of her ear hole.
My comment was you best leave that baby,s candy alone. Im not sure if she still steals sign given the chance but I can tell you shes a whole lot more subdued about how she goes about it.
Gotta love watching your kid learn life lessons

default · May 3, 2010

bouldersdad said:
This is one of my Favorite stories....... the fact that I love embarrassing my daughter has nothing to do with it.
At 14U we played The Ice at NSA states in teal town, my dd and her partner in crime, which shall remain nameless ( oh what the hell i,ll embarrass her too, 6shooters mom,s dd )had become very proficient in stealing signs from the catcher and where she was going to set up. After bragging that it was like stealing candy from a baby something strange happened, my dd was at the plate, catch called time went to the mound for a little meeting, play resumes, catcher sets up outside, my dd leans into the plate and yes you guessed it .......WHAM....... Hit her face mask so hard it spun her helmet on her head so she was looking out of her ear hole.
My comment was you best leave that baby,s candy alone. Im not sure if she still steals sign given the chance but I can tell you shes a whole lot more subdued about how she goes about it.
Gotta love watching your kid learn life lessons

Great story!!! Life lessons are taught all the time. Just how you get and learn them can be interesting.

default · May 3, 2010

she would still hit one out even just looking through the earhole!!!

default · May 3, 2010

bouldersdad said:
This is one of my Favorite stories....... the fact that I love embarrassing my daughter has nothing to do with it.
At 14U we played The Ice at NSA states in teal town, my dd and her partner in crime, which shall remain nameless ( oh what the hell i,ll embarrass her too, 6shooters mom,s dd )had become very proficient in stealing signs from the catcher and where she was going to set up. After bragging that it was like stealing candy from a baby something strange happened, my dd was at the plate, catch called time went to the mound for a little meeting, play resumes, catcher sets up outside, my dd leans into the plate and yes you guessed it .......WHAM....... Hit her face mask so hard it spun her helmet on her head so she was looking out of her ear hole.
My comment was you best leave that baby,s candy alone. Im not sure if she still steals sign given the chance but I can tell you shes a whole lot more subdued about how she goes about it.
Gotta love watching your kid learn life lessons

Two comments

1) Weren't the games at Tealtown like 15 minutes long, she's lucky she even got an at bat.
2) Don't mess with those girls from Akron/Canton, they are old school.

default · May 3, 2010

Not that year I dont believe, I think we actually got a game or 2 in. It was a good ICE team, Richards if memory serves me correctly, always played the xpress tough

default · May 3, 2010

Coaches and Players stealing signs and protecting signs all part of the game.

Dads/Parents sitting in stands signaling pitch location or catcher setup, which I watch frequently being done by some pretty hi profile players parents is ****. Let your kid play and compete on her own abilities.

Parents should be tossed for calling or subduly passing along pitch locations.

default · May 3, 2010

Maybe there is one of those "unwritten rules" somewhere about beating a parent to a bloody pulp with a bat if they steal signs...

default · May 4, 2010

mustohiofastpitch said:
You must be a politician, you are on both sides of the fence. :lmao:

Why would you retaliate if you didn't think it was wrong for them to steal your signs?

Sounds like you were a stud catcher in H.S. What D1 college did you go on to play for?

Nope, not a politician.

We didn't think it was wrong and we didn't retaliate. We let them know we knew what they were doing, and we did change our signs immediately. Our coach didn't want it to escalate, nor get anyone injured - if we did we sat. We could get our message across (i.e. unwritten rules) without puting someone at risk of injury. I was responding to the original post about "sticking it in her ear". I thought that what I wrote was clear, but obviously it wasn't to clear enough for you, and I apologize for not being more clear that this is what I was referring to.

Didn't play D1 baseball - played football at Minnesota, under Lou Holtz, until I blew out my knee freshman year. Still, doesn't mean I don't know how to play the game, even if I didn't play in college.

How did your D1 team handle this situation?

default · May 4, 2010

Wookie said:
Since each team (offense and defense) is giving signals, I don't see the big deal about stealing them. If you don't like it, make your signals fool proof. I do however see a problem with the non-team members (coaches, players) announcing the stolen signs. Leave it to the team to do that and not the parents in the stands. I also don't see a reason why the catcher has to set up for the pitch, especially before the pitchers' wind-up. If they are good enough to hit inside/outside and high/low, then they should be catchable pitches by a decent catcher. If not, then you you have to work with your catchers on technique.

This past weekend on TV one of the college team's catcher had a play wristband on, like the QB's do in football so there's one way to get around it. And speaking of football, many college teams have multiple signals into the QB, and even the NFL has speaker's in the helmets. There are plenty of ways to get around the other team learning your signals - don't blame them because you're lazy and won't/can't change them.

As for how to retaliate - this is what we did in HS. I was the catcher so we'd either throw above the batter's head or behind him. After retrieving the ball I told him LOUDLY so his team's coaches could hear "next one will be where we want it". That usually got the message across, no one got hurt and it only cost us a ball and not a base runner.

Wookie said:
Nope, not a politician.

We didn't think it was wrong and we didn't retaliate. We let them know we knew what they were doing, and we did change our signs immediately. Our coach didn't want it to escalate, nor get anyone injured - if we did we sat. We could get our message across (i.e. unwritten rules) without puting someone at risk of injury. I was responding to the original post about "sticking it in her ear". I thought that what I wrote was clear, but obviously it wasn't to clear enough for you, and I apologize for not being more clear that this is what I was referring to.

Didn't play D1 baseball - played football at Minnesota, under Lou Holtz, until I blew out my knee freshman year. Still, doesn't mean I don't know how to play the game, even if I didn't play in college.

How did your D1 team handle this situation?

You got your message across with an "unwritten rule" but it wasn't the ole "stick it in their ear", what was it? Curious.

Now I wasn't a catcher in baseball on any team and not an expert on the position which is why I don't tell anyone they need to work on their catcher's technique. DD is a catcher so I'm picking up a few things. You say you don't see why a catcher has to set up for the pitch. Lets say a stud hitter is at the plate, runner on second. Instead of an intentional walk the strategy is to pitch to them but not to give them anything to hit, no strikes. Throw balls and hope they swing at some bad pitches but you don't care if you walk him. So you call for an outside pitch. You wouldn't set up outside? Even a pitcher who can hit the corners doesn't always when they are trying. So that outside pitch gets way outside but you as the catcher didn't set up outside. Don't you increase the risk of not getting it and having a passed ball, allowing the runner at second to advance?

Lou baby. I thought Hayden Fox was the coach. LOL
Knee blowouts ****, Been there done that. Biggest injury fear I have with my daughter. Hate when she plays basketball.

default · May 4, 2010

What unwritten rule does this cover. These guy's would never play again for me. [YOUTUBE]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PH_2itdz-1E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PH_2itdz-1E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

default · May 4, 2010

Musty,

I guess we're getting our wires crossed. My point was that those who posted earlier that stealing signs was a no-no really missed the point of having signs. What we did in HS was, I guess, more of a cat-and-mouse game with them. In other words, in my best Eddie Murphy, "we know that you know that we know that you know .....' type of thing. And no one got hurt. I meant it as a possible way to let the other team know, and by that I mean the parents, that what is going on should be left to the players.

I understand what you're saying about trying to pitch around a hitter. Yes, it is difficult to set up outside late, but it can be done if practiced. And it does depend on the pitcher being able to control her spots. Since DD is U10, I'd have to say that only about a handful of pitcher/catcher COMBINATIONS could handle this, but I would expect that as they get older it would be easier to accomplish.

I like the "Coach" reference - great show. But he was at Minn. State and made it to a bowl game!

default · May 4, 2010

Fourts,

If they (C and P) were on my team, they'd be off for quite a while, if not permanently. Usually the unwritten rule is for just the players. This takes it too far, IMO.

I have to think this was done because of bad pitch calls by HP ump. One of the things that I learned while catching was to learn the strike zone asap, and not only report to the pitcher(s) but also our hitters - "hey, he's calling the low outside strikes so be ready". Also I see the C's job as kind of the intermediary between the HP ump and our coaches - "now I know you called that same pitch a strike when we were batting, just be consistent when we're in the field".

"Stick it in her ear"

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