Quote from WindsorUK on October 12, 2021, 4:26 am

https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-tepera-implies-astros-stealing-signs-in-alds

Looks like Sox reliever is insinuating Stros are stealing signs. After their scandal from a few yeard ago, I guess they'll be heavily scrutinized for awhile.

But hasn't picking up signs ALWAYS been a thing, though? Shouldn't it be up to the pitcher/catcher to better protect their signs? I no way agree with the electronic cheating that took place but if your runner on 2nd base is tipping off the hitter, isn't that part of baseball?

Interested to hear what you guys think.

Quote from BoosterSD on October 12, 2021, 6:36 am

Quote from WindsorUK on October 12, 2021, 4:26 am

https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-tepera-implies-astros-stealing-signs-in-alds

Looks like Sox reliever is insinuating Stros are stealing signs. After their scandal from a few yeard ago, I guess they'll be heavily scrutinized for awhile.

But hasn't picking up signs ALWAYS been a thing, though? Shouldn't it be up to the pitcher/catcher to better protect their signs? I no way agree with the electronic cheating that took place but if your runner on 2nd base is tipping off the hitter, isn't that part of baseball?

Interested to hear what you guys think.

Yes, if you can without the use of video and/or other electronic devises, pick up the other teams signs that is part of baseball. Yes, it is on the catcher to hide his signs better. However, if the Astros or Boston ( because of Cora) are found again to be using technology to relay signs, they deserve very large punishments.

 

Quote from 3fingersplit on October 12, 2021, 8:40 am

Stealing signs has always been a part of the game if done the old fashioned way and that is to be a "Code Breaker" and not using any electronic advantage....Coaches and Catchers and Pitchers are creatures of habits.....Learn their habits and tells and break the code....I used to have my players that were not starting to practice stealing signs from the bench.....pitch signs, steal,bunt and how to relay pitch signs from any base if the catcher got sloppy or lazy and how to spot tells from the pitcher....To counter that I had the 1st base coach and 3rd base coach both give signs to every batter every inning and only our guys knew which one was hot.....another things we played by was " Never underestimate the power of human stupidity".....if the other team is going to play stupid / sloppy,,,,advantage us

Quote from BoosterSD on October 12, 2021, 12:07 pm

Quote from 3fingersplit on October 12, 2021, 8:40 am

Stealing signs has always been a part of the game if done the old fashioned way and that is to be a "Code Breaker" and not using any electronic advantage....Coaches and Catchers and Pitchers are creatures of habits.....Learn their habits and tells and break the code....I used to have my players that were not starting to practice stealing signs from the bench.....pitch signs, steal,bunt and how to relay pitch signs from any base if the catcher got sloppy or lazy and how to spot tells from the pitcher....To counter that I had the 1st base coach and 3rd base coach both give signs to every batter every inning and only our guys knew which one was hot.....another things we played by was " Never underestimate the power of human stupidity".....if the other team is going to play stupid / sloppy,,,,advantage us

The wonderful intricacies of baseball. The pitcher that fans his glove open a little more when gripping/throwing a change up. The catcher that moves too soon and gives away location. So many others. Its those parts that make the game fascinating IMO.

Quote from LynchMob on October 17, 2021, 9:20 pm

Go Braves!

We assume Buehler will get the W in Game 3 ... then what?  Odd that the Dogs used Urias in relief ... we shall see ...

Quote from WindsorUK on October 20, 2021, 7:54 am

https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/04/22/jay-bruce-retirement-shift-the-opener

Interesting article on how the shift has endangered the careers of different players, most notably lefties who aren't very fast.

Personally, I believe it's up to the hitter to figure out how to hit it where they ain't!

The shift is here to stay. As long as batters keep hitting it into it, why would it change?

I'd love seeing guys bunt the ball down the 3rd base line. Do it enough, maybe they'd stop shifting?

Anyone else have an opinion about the shift?

Quote from Randy Manese on October 20, 2021, 9:51 am

I have some thoughts on this subject although I don't have any hard evidence to back it up.  I, too, however, feel that not en0ugh credence is given to the statistics that shifts "work" for a lot of batters.  My views are the following:

• with the exception of pitchers in the NL, most teams don't practice bunting with their position players to the extent that there is confidence that they can get a bunt down with any more success than just hitting away
• managers don't feel confident that they can string enough hits together to score that person that bunted his way on vice giving the batter a chance to do more damage via an extra base hit; go for the big inning always
• managers don't want to give the appearance that they don't have the confidence in the batter at the plate not to be successful against the shift
• hitters have the confidence that they can beat the shift because they can smash the ball over or through the shift irrespective of the hard evidence to the contrary
• it goes against one of the many unwritten rules of baseball, like stealing or not taking a 3-0 pitch when your team has what seems to be an insurmountable lead - you have to respect the game and the strategy employed

You may recall that when the Padres were rolling in 2020 and also in 2021, several hitters did try to bunt fairly often.  Myers and Grisham were two of them and occasionally Profar and others would do the same.  These often started successful rallies or led to big innings but as injuries happened, it seemed whoever made the decision, manager or player, it completely disappeared from the Padres' game.   In my opinion, it is more of a head game than a lack of skills - I totally agree that bringing back more bunting, like stolen bases. makes the game more interesting and well-rounded.   As for the Padres, when they get Abrams and Hassell (maybe Angeles) into that line-up and have a healthy Tatis and Grisham (maybe Kim) to run with them, they will be a much more dynamic team.  I'm assuming Pham and Myers will be long gone when the opportunity for this happens - those were the only other two that ran the bases fairly well in the past.

 

Quote from WindsorUK on October 21, 2021, 6:08 pm

Watching Max Fried( Padre #1 in 2012) facing Trea Turner( Padre #1 in 2014) and wondering what could have been??????

Quote from MrPadre19 on October 22, 2021, 9:51 am

There's no reason why hitters who are prone to be shifted against can't spend an offseason trying to evade it.

Bunting...going the other way....etc.

You're one of the best in your field....don't stop improving and progressing.

It's no different than when the league finds your weakness(low and away or busting you inside for examples) you have to adapt to their change or your performance will suffer.

If you are constantly having the shift deployed against you the only thing you "shouldn't do" is the status quo.

Adapt or die.......