Read the debate intro and Bleacher Fan’s opinion.
Sign stealing has been going on since the early days of baseball. It happened yesterday. It happened today. Guess what? It’ll probably happen tomorrow.
There are many unwritten rules in baseball. Some that come to mind are as follows:
- Never steal a base late in a game that’s out of hand. This happens occasionally, and it really ticks me off when it does.
- Do not show up a pitcher after hitting a home run. This means no trotting or no excessive flipping of the bat. This rule applies to people like Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar. It also applied to former Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa (I was hoping we’d heard the last of him) and Seattle Mariners second baseman Bret Boone, when they were active.
- Never try to break up a no hitter late in a game by bunting. The last time I remember this happening was in 2001 when Curt Schilling was pitching against San Diego while still with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Those are three of my favorites. If a player pulls any of those tricks against a team I’m managing, payback is forthcoming. Your best hitter might as well go ahead and put some extra padding on, because he’s about to get a two-seam fastball drilled right into his ribs.
Here’s another unwritten rule to add:
- Never steal signs!
The scenario Sports Geek touched on in the debate intro is interesting.
Let’s break down “sign-stealing.” More importantly, let’s break down the word “steal.”
According to Webster, “steal” means “to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, especially secretly or by force.”
In this particular situation, A-Roid (sp??) is taking “property” (baseball game information via “signs”) away from the opposing team. I can guarantee you the opposing team didn’t give A-Roid (sp??) permission to steal signs!
What is Major League Baseball, and our good buddy Commissioner Bud Selig, going to do about it? Are they going to turn a blind eye like the NCAA does (see yesterday’s debate)?
When there is blatant sign stealing going on, MLB should do something about it. At the very least, a fine should be levied against the parties involved for a first offender. If it continues, perhaps a suspension will clean things up really quickly.
Selig is all about trying to clean up the game and get baseball through the steroid era. If you are going to attempt to fix that problem, you might as well address sign stealing, too. Technology is more prevalent in baseball than ever before. Batters actually go into the clubhouse and look at video of their previous at bat in the middle of the game. (Is this perhaps another opportunity to steal signs? Hmmmm…)
Step up, Major League Baseball, and do something!
so the webster definition makes you against stealing bases?
No Seezy of course not! But “stealing bases” are within the WRITTEN rules of the game!
And there’s nothing in the WRITTEN rules that says you can’t steal signs also!