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It is true that stealing signs is part of the game. But looking back at the catcher is really *not* an acceptable part of the game.
There is no explicit rule against it, however. There is a DIFFERENCE between acceptable baseball protocol and what is technically legal/illegal in accordance with the rules. The umpire should really only interject himself on the latter.
At the higher levels, the players have a way of dealing with violations of protocol. At lower levels, it is the *coach's* responsibility to deal with such matters.
If I saw batters looking back at my catcher's sign to my pitcher, I would start screwing with his mind. I'd call time, call my pitcher and catcher together, and in an instant the problem would be rectified. We wouldn't need to throw at the batter. All we have to do is contaminate his data input to such a degree that it quickly no longer becomes worth his effort. And it stops! No big deal.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
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