I really don't like Forearm Bands with Plays On Them

Most coaches do this to keep the other team from stealing signs! But I agree it does slow down the game!

I think it's bush.

It slows the game down a ton..and I'm not sure whether to call a pitch out or audible in to Cover 2 or should we try and stop the QB option? Weak sauce.

I like using wristbands while on the base paths but I do not like using them to call pitches. I totally agree that it slows down the game and gets the pitcher out of rythem.

1. They are pick proof.
2. Your kids don't miss signs.
3. If you know what you are doing when you call them you take the same time or less to give signs.
4. We use wristbands, but we also have signals in case we need them.

Welcome to the "new school" of coaching. Several colleges are using it now. What's next....maybe a wireless radio between the coaches and players?

If it were better MLB would be using it. What's next a green dot on the catcher's helmet. It's bush league pure and simple.

I think things will move along pretty well as the season gets going. I noticed some of our batters weren't looking at the bands after signs the other night. They will learn it pretty quick, young brain cells.

How can you use the bands to call pitches? I guess the coach could yell out something to the catcher. Hadn't noticed anything like that. We haven't had a slow down due to pitch calling.

Are you serious dallas spikes. You use them on the bases

We have never missed a sign and we have never had our signs stolen. It is a personal preference. Different strokes for different folks. I am all about managing my time with my players.... with wristbands for signs it cuts down the time to go over signs at practice and before games. I have more important things to talk to my players about than remind them about signs.

we started using them last year for pitch calls. sons the catcher and dislikes for the above mentioned reasons. kills the groove of a fast working pitcher and in a noisy environment, miscommunication happened. both examples happened last year. the second year seems to be getting better based on 1 scrimmage.

Opposing team used this in a scrimmage game Tuesday. Game took 3 hours.

I know of a team in 6-5A, last year using them, but not just catcher....everyone in the IF had them....it was a very slow game that seemed to drag on and on it finished at 3-1 so it should have moved quicker than it did. Pitcher's could never get into a rhythm.

I heard that the NFHS was looking at banning these in 2012.

how many sighns could you have for the baserunners to have to wear one. Just over done I think. Just trying to learn why thats all.

You guys saying bands are used by hitters and runners? How dumb is that? Spikes you got things to talk to players about beside hitting, fielding, throwing and other baseball stuff too?

.rockdad

Bigred machine , had a chance to watch a few of Flower Mound Marcus games last year. they use the band. If not mistaken it cost them a couple of games !!!!

longballs how did it cost them game.. just curious

arm bands are ridiculous, this is baseball..i haven't seen a clip of mickey mantle or lou gehrig wearing arm bands, outthinking opponents and stealing signs is a part of the game, and it's been happening for a hundred years. Stop trying to change the game, oh and lets go back to hitting people to send a message. That's another part of the game that has been lost due to the softness of this generation.

funny story bout armbands - first I saw a college team using them and didn't even notice. didn't slow the game and for long while I didn't even see they were being used.

but during game in bunt situation - hitter missed first attempt at sac - then goes down in count two strikes. at this point he gets sign, looks at band, then attempts drag bunt. he doesn't get bunt down - not the bands fault he can't execute - he's out.

I learn later why he attempted drag - earlier in gm he got mad for some reason and his band got tossed - the card fell out - someone gave him another - turns out they use diff cards i.e diff signs for diff gms - the 'new' card he got was for another gm - he wasn't supposed to drag - he followed what he thought were coaches instructions. Seems he shld hv suspected mistake and called time to discuss but he just dragged.

another thing - signs coming from dugout not 3b. if hitter wants to discuss I guess he goes to dugout to do so? that's a bit diff also - not confering with 3b coach.

so an advantage of the bands is it's easier for team to change signs and use broader list of signs making if more difficult to steal them. just make sure u hv the correct card.

.rockdad

quote:

Originally posted by orvilleredenbacher93:
arm bands are ridiculous, this is baseball..i haven't seen a clip of mickey mantle or lou gehrig wearing arm bands,

Gehrig and Mantle didn't wear helmets either.

quote:

outthinking opponents and stealing signs is a part of the game, and it's been happening for a hundred years.

Exactly. That what the armbands are for. You're trying to out think your opponent so he can't steal your signs. Making it easy for the other team to pick your signs may have been part of your teams game for the last hundred years, but not mine.

This is why baseball coaches can wear me out at times. The whole "we gotta do it this way cause it's always been done this way" mentality. It's plain ignorant.

My teams armbands DO NOT slow down our games. While not impossible I'm sure, it will be extremely difficult for you to pick our signs. We no longer miss signs. Ever.

Tell me again why I shouldn't use them? Cause it's not "baseball" enough for some of y'all?

Armbands do slow down the game a little bit, but I'd rather watch a game that moves slower but is better executed overall because the kids are actually getting the correct signs. Besides, I enjoy sitting out at the ballpark so I don't mind if the game takes a little longer.

Our school uses the armband system as well. I believe it was last season that it was started.

My son, for example, is more successful pitching when he can work at a faster pace and is able to get into a rhythm. The armband system has slowed down the game.

Since the armband system was implemented, our son is not nearly as effective pitching as he was when he could work into a fast paced rhythm. Over the weekend, he pitched and the catcher was allowed to call the game on his own. The difference in my son's effectiveness given this method vs. the armband method was like night and day. He was more mentally into the game, threw more strikes and the game moved at a much faster pace.

Many of us observing the games when the armband is used have noticed that when the game slows down, the other players lose focus and more errors are made. This has been timed and it takes anywhere from 25 to 30 seconds to deliver the baseball.

I don't know about the rest of you and your experience. I can only speak from what has been observed given both pitch calling methods.