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For those of you tempted to go there, "offensive" doesn't mean the one finger salute.

Not asking anyone to divulge any proprietary secrets here but I'm interested in hearing the different ways coaches give signs. I wasn't fortunate enough to play college ball and experience the higher art of giving signs. Any takers? We promise not to tell.
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No problem telling here. Most often we use an indicator of some sort, simple and readable for the players followed by a series of either countable signs like 1 thru 7 or certain location of signs. A wipe off is also used. Same with pitching signs. The catcher must be able to see and read them and they must change often so the opponent doesn't learn them. We like to change pitch sign sequences every 3 innings. Every sign follows an indicator and has an optional wipe off.
We use the standard signs of an indicator followed by specific body touches. The differencis we use a close sign that if we close it's all off. We also use 2 or 3 verbal signs. Put it in the grass !!! automatic bunt when it's 1st and second no body out in a close game. Everyone in the park knows we're going to bunt. There is no secret. We also have them for bunt for a hit and steal.
One of my favorites is a repeat sign that's completely different then any of the other. It's for all to repeat whatever was on for thr last pitch.
Last edited by Coach Merc
offensively we keep ours as simple as possible. we have an indicator and a sign. we change indicators often but very rarely signs. we've had no problem with people stealing them but we do a pretty good job stealing others. we always assign somebody to watch the 3rd base coach and we assign somebody to chart whoever is calling pitches.
our philosophy is belts bunt - execute.
pitching signs we do a sequence and against a team we think tries to steal signs we'll change the number in the sequence every inning or every batter. most of the time we never have to make a change.
When I used to coach 3rd base, many years ago, I used traditional signs as a decoy. We would divide the 3rd base coaches box into 6 areas, and depending on the area the coach was standing, determined the play that was on. One of the 6 areas was always a "no sign" area. This proved difficult when we were playing at fields with no definitive coaching box. We would use other markers on the field to mark off our areas in those cases. Haven't used it in years cause I manage, and no longer coach 3rd base.
Any of you guys read the most recent Collegiate Baseball News? A very interesting article on schools that are going to the catcher wearing a quarterback-type arm band with a series of numbers which indicate different types of pitches including location. The coaches call out the numbers (and/or letter) combinations, the catcher looks at his wristband and gives the appropriate sign to the pitcher.

I bring this up in this discussion because the article also mentioned that the coaches were thinking about providing their hitters with similar wristbands with the various offensive signs encoded. Then the third base coach would simply holler out a sequence of numbers, the player(s) would look at the wristband (including baserunners), and away they would go.

A potentially interesting development.
I have used box locations on certain plays, it can also allow you to use the same touch sign, but standing in a different area, it means something different. Works with more advanced players. As you get from the collegiate article, coaches are coming up with other ways to control the game completely. The number sequence could work, but if a team came into my stadium, I would have the fans aware ahead of time, and just have them make lots of noise between pitches. What if a kid doesn't hear it correctly and messes up. Its less likey with touch signs. I have also read some here that have sequences for pitch signs, in other posts they claim their catchers call. Confusing.
OK - OK, It's a great idea Eek
I'll defer to your experience that it's "breakthru" technology

so, student managers would pass out new ones each inning
(just be sure coach gets THE update!) Eek -
at inning, baserunners could just hand 'em off to a base-coach with their helmet
and, used ones would cover the dugout floor


BTW - OUR "walk-up" music makes the ground tremble til the pitcher takes his sign djsmile
the catcher, batter, & baserunners would NOT hear a thing rockband

BTW #2 - ole the PA guy & fans also make some noise read rockband dialog party ole party


"huh?? sorry coach "RED RIGHT 88" is NOT on MY wrist!" cleverman


tho quarterbacks DO wear the "cheat lists", they get the sideline communication by handsigns/touchpoints, not by someone hollering across the field Confused



a wireless earpiece for the catcher, pitcher, & batters/runners might make sense tho

get one for the PU & crew as well, he'd know what pitch was comming, and could have a private channel for "beefs", appeals, to consult with the crew, get more baseballs, or a wet towel
some could use a channel to get his car unlocked & running to the nearest gate
after the last pitch Eek

guess I'm still not sold, unless I'm missing something Confused


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Last edited by Bee>
Bee:

The article addresses the problem you bring up. As an example, the pitch fastball away might have 20 three number cominations listed on the card. The coach uses the first number combination the first time he calls for a fastball away. When he wants that pitch again, he moves to the second combination, and so forth. The combinations, of course, are totally random.

I think it's an interesting idea. How well it works is another topic.

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