Coach giving signs to pitcher and infielders.

[Coach Dykhoff]

I was told tonight that I could not give signs directly to my pitcher, I had to relay them through the catcher. Is there documentation on this somewhere? If this is against the rules what stops a pitcher from watching the signs I give to the catcher?

[UmpJM]

Coach D.,

The "documentation" is based on the OBR language found near the very beginning of Rule 8.01:

"...Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate. ..."

There is similar, though not identical, language in the FED and NCAA rule books.

What I believe the rule means is that the pitcher must, after he has engaged the rubber, pause for the amount of time it would take him to get signs prior to initiating his delivery.

I do not care whether he get his "real" signs from the catcher, his coach, his girlfriend in the 3rd row, or the voices in his head.

I do care that he pauses.

This is a subject of much consternation and debate among umpires, and, I know from my own experience that it is "called differently" by different umpires.

Most umpires who have had "serious training" would agree with what I said.

If it was an umpire who prohibited you from doing this, I believe he has not been well-trained.

JM

[Coach Dykhoff]

Thanks for the answer.

The pitcher was not engaged on the rubber, he was though on the mound. I believe that he would at this time be a fielding player and would be able to get signs from the coach. The infield and outfield can get signs from me at anytime, right?

[UmpJM]

Coach D.,

There is, in fact, no rule that prohibits a coach from giving signaled or coded instructions to his infielders from the dugout.

In High School, the general custom and practice is to relay these directions through the catcher.

You'd be doing your players a favor if you got them used to that as they prepare to compete for HS team playing spots, especially if you've got a young man on your team who appears to be a promising catcher.

JM

[Coach Dykhoff]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Coach D.,

There is, in fact, no rule that prohibits a coach from giving signaled or coded instructions to his infielders from the dugout.

In High School, the general custom and practice is to relay these directions through the catcher.

You'd be doing your players a favor if you got them used to that as they prepare to compete for HS team playing spots, especially if you've got a young man on your team who appears to be a promising catcher.

JM

Two of my catchers grasp the concept and get the signs from me. One of the catcher just can't get the grasp of it (He is a young catcher), but we are working on it. This was the reason I was giving the signs to my pitcher (Which is our main catcher, and All-star).

[UmpJM]

Coach D.,

Like I said, I don't care where he's getting his sign as long as he pauses.

My opinion is that it is not worth it to "get into it" if the umpire calling your game believes differently.

Teach your kids to deal with it and move on.

JM

[Coach Dykhoff]

Sounds good.