Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Buzzer solution to sign stealing.

Obviously, if there are no signs, there is no sign stealing.

The most recent means of delivering the ill attained information was allegedly through a buzzer on the body of the batter (Jose Altuve, allegedly). The information transmitted would be timely but simple, maybe just fastball or not fastball.

The team management increasingly wants control, including calling the pitches. That's not really new. A simple buzzer system controlled by the field manager and/or pitching coach could tell the pitcher and catcher simultaneously the pitch to be delivered. There could be two pieces of information: pitch type and location.

Other team members could also be equipped, especially the infielders. That would give them a slight edge in positioning and start. That happens now with one middle infielder informing the other: fastball or not fastball. Open mouth/closed mouth.

This simple low tech system would be the solution to the current sign stealing "crisis". As long as the frequency for a team is protected, it should work.

What if the pitcher doesn't want to throw that pitch? The pitcher could simply wave off the information and motion for another pitch.

A veteran pitcher who prefers to call his own game, could simply exchange his buzzer for the control device and call all his own pitches. Either way, just get/give the signal and throw the pitch. Just throw the damn pitch. This would really improve pace of play.

Showing posts with label Signs.

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