Tipping Off Pitch or Location. Cool or Not?

[Southpaw729]

This is certainly not a new topic but I thought I would sound off on the appropriateness of team's tipping off pitch location or pitch type to their hitters. Whether it is the runner at 2nd base using hand signals to indicate inside or outside location or coaches stealing pitch signs...it is cool or not?

My opinion is it really doesn't help a young hitter get better if she is using a tip off as a crutch. Are we that competitive at the youth level that we need to do this kind of stuff? Maybe we are?

Not whining here...just bringing the issue up for discussion.

[Dale]

We just experienced the same thing in a showcase tournament this past weekend. The players learn it from a current or past coach. It is easy to counter with an alert catcher. However, to try and gain an advantage this way, though not against the rules, is pathetic. I will not allow my players to even think about doing it. Those teams that routinely try to win this way are those who need to take a close look at what they are trying to teach about the sport of softball.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I'm good with it.

12U & 14U, who cares? If the girl on 2nd signals an outside pitch to the batter, there is a fair chance the pitcher won't hit the spot anyway.

A good curve or knuckleball or change up for that matter is too much to lay off of or locks the batter up, even when they know its coming. Good curves and knuckleballs are hard to hit, bad ones are easy to hit. Every batter is told not to swing at the rise ball; quite a few do.

18U, its part of the game. Adapt and overcome. I suspect sign and pitch location stealing bothers the parents of the fielding team a lot more than it helps the batter.

[BAM2]

What about parents from behind the backstop?

[Iluvblue]

My job is to help my team win games. If a team is making it obvious to me a changeup is coming, I promise you that my batter will know as well.

It doesnt take much effort to hide what you are doing, but if you are that lazy, then oh well.

After a couple changeups get jacked, maybe you teach your players how to do things the right way.

My players love the challenge of picking up on what the other team is doing and I have found it really is a way to keep them focused.

[DonnieS]

My job is to help my team win games. If a team is making it obvious to me a changeup is coming, I promise you that my batter will know as well.

It doesnt take much effort to hide what you are doing, but if you are that lazy, then oh well.

After a couple changeups get jacked, maybe you teach your players how to do things the right way.

My players love the challenge of picking up on what the other team is doing and I have found it really is a way to keep them focused.

Exactly. Figure out a way to turn this against the other team.

[jonriv]

What about parents from behind the backstop?

This might actually be a rules violation- anyone know?

As far as the practice in general- at younger ages it is both "bush" and useless. At upper ages it is part of the game- many batters find it more of a distraction than a help

[Luther]

I agree with the comment that it helps the girls focus more on the game.

I dont think the parents should be picking signs as we are not actively playing the game.

The girls though are a different story. I think it is part of the game and something the girls should pay attention to as early as 12u.

[Sid Barrett]

My take on this subject might be in the minority and I will probably be crucified for my position, but I accept that stealing signs or picking signs off is part of the game, when it is performed by the players (not the parents). However, I also accept that the pitcher can and should throw up and in, or plunk the batter, depending on the circumstances. JMO

[Blind Squirrel]

If nothing else, it is a great way to get the batter hit.