Question by sarrafzedehkhoee: Is stealing signs cheating?
Didn’t the use of giving signals in baseball evolve because when the defense knew what was coming they would defend against it? If a team figures out another team’s signals, how are they cheating? Isn’t it no more than playing the odds? Explain to me why a coach sitting on the bench who is sharp enough to figure out what the other teams signals are and he tells the members of his team why he is cheating.
Thank you for your answers. Whether you said yes or no, your input is appreciated. A number of people here seemed to think my regard for baseball was suspect because I considered stealing signs as not cheating. The consensus here is that it isn’t. I’d give 10 points to all of you if I could, even the dissenters, but knowing that one person is 13, she gets it. I’m not snubbing any of the rest of you.
Best answer:
Answer by jc
no its part of the game just like A-rods yell aganst the blue jays, any player would have done that if their team was sinking and should be number 1
Add your own answer in the comments!.
I look at it as cheating, yes.
it’s not cheating its strategy. if the other teams signs are that easy to pick up then it just wanting to win.
yeah………….
No, it’s not cheating. It’s just giving you the upper hand, that’s all. It’s a strategy. That’s like saying a player is cheating if he slides to break up a double play. Also, sometimes the guys in the field know what pitch is coming so they can be in the right spot when the ball is hit, that’s not cheating, that’s knowing your pitcher and good scouting. I wouldn’t even call what A-Rod did as cheating, that Blue Jay should’ve known better. Stealing signals is great, that’s baseball. It adds another element to the guessing game of baseball. I love this game!!
The only cheating that is really a problem is steroids and/or HGH and corked bats.
It’s not cheating. It is part of the game. There is nothing wrong with trying to gain an advantage as long as rule(s) aren’t broken.
Another example:
Players on the mound cover their mouths with their gloves to prevent the other team from reading their lips.
I believe the rule on stealing signs has more to due with hidden cameras in scoreboard stealing the catchers signs or a runner on base signaling to batter what the catchers sign was
I would think that defending against the other team would surely help your team by knowing the other teams “signs” and warning your team with your own “signs” !!
Isn”t that all part of the game??
If they were smart, they’d use different “signs” for the same meaning and confuse the other team.
NO WAY!!!
i use stealing signs and im only in the 13 year old fastpitch softball!!!!!
It ain’t cheating if you don’t get caught … except for steroids.
Yes, if you get caught (no matter how it’s done).
No it isn’t cheating, unless they are watching TV or have someone in the stands, calling and giving a report. Teams have been known to change there signs in the middle of the game, to fake out a team that is stealing their signs. It is part of the game, In the NFL, every team tries to know what the other team is planning on doing, and this is the same thing.
It’s only cheating if you get caught and then it’s still not against the rules.
No. Signs are never even discussed in the rule book, so stealing them is no crime.
I agree. I never understood why stealing signs is considered bad. I’ve played four years of high school ball, and i’m going on to play college, and i’ve stolen signs all my life. I had opposing coaches do anything to get to where i couldn’t see them, trying to hide the signs they were giving. If coaches aren’t smart enough to come up with signs that can’t be pickes, or change them once they’ve been picked, they have no buisness coaching in the first place. I think it’s a part of the game, and people just aren’t clever enough to create good signs.
No it’s not cheating, its part of the game. But it is asking for a high and tight fastball or one right in the ribs if you’re caught. Some people look at it as poor sportsmanship, and they do have a point, but I’m sure even those people have tried to do it.