They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

[CubFan23]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

That vid is awesome!

[BKBond007]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

A runner on second stealing a sign is okay; a team employee sitting in center field with binoculars and a walkie-talkie is not. You have a point in that these unwritten rules are sometimes blown up to something they're not by talking heads. But they are there.

Since Im a jays fan and "we've" been notorious for stealing signs on the bases..Its talked about a lot that its not alright to do so and have actually seen players get in arguments due to accusations.. and its mentioned how its frowned upon to steal signs from 2nd and someone will be "beaned" for doing it...and not sure if its an unwritten rule but A-Rod the loser..pulled a no no in Toronto and everybody ignored it in the states pretty much..he was rounding the bases on a infield pop up and yelled I got it next to the guy going for it and the player dropped it. Of course A-Rod has very little respect for the game anyway..the blatant swat at 1st baesmens glove in the playoffs one year was pathetic. Oh and he used roids...lol

[BKBond007]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

Id also like to say Im not trying to argue with anyone..I think you should "Play to win the game" like my man Coach Edwards is famous for saying...I say play how you want and let the rest take care of its self...

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

Since Im a jays fan and "we've" been notorious for stealing signs on the bases..Its talked about a lot that its not alright to do so and have actually seen players get in arguments due to accusations.. and its mentioned how its frowned upon to steal signs from 2nd and someone will be "beaned" for doing it...and not sure if its an unwritten rule but A-Rod the loser..pulled a no no in Toronto and everybody ignored it in the states pretty much..he was rounding the bases on a infield pop up and yelled I got it next to the guy going for it and the player dropped it. Of course A-Rod has very little respect for the game anyway..the blatant swat at 1st baesmens glove in the playoffs one year was pathetic. Oh and he used roids...lol

Trust me, it wasn't ignored in the states. ESPN wouldn't shut up about it for weeks.

[BKBond007]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

Trust me, it wasn't ignored in the states. ESPN wouldn't shut up about it for weeks.

Good to hear..lol sorry If I sounded rude..that just bugged me and I watched some Yankee games afterwards and just thought it got passed over.

One thing Im glad wont be ignored this year is Doc Halladay..I hope he completely dominates this year. Make that a story this year for us will ya? I think that guy plays the game the way its suppose to..

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

Good to hear..lol sorry If I sounded rude..that just bugged me and I watched some Yankee games afterwards and just thought it got passed over.

One thing Im glad wont be ignored this year is Doc Halladay..I hope he completely dominates this year. Make that a story this year for us will ya? I think that guy plays the game the way its suppose to..

Well the Yankee games are not going to harp on it naturally. He is their player.

As for Halladay, it will be a big story I am sure. I think he will do masterful in the National League.

[CubFan23]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

Trust me, it wasn't ignored in the states. ESPN wouldn't shut up about it for weeks.

I really can't watch ESPN anymore, and I don't really miss it with all 4 major sports having their own network. Love MLB Network

[gubunko]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

Since Im a jays fan and "we've" been notorious for stealing signs on the bases..Its talked about a lot that its not alright to do so and have actually seen players get in arguments due to accusations.. and its mentioned how its frowned upon to steal signs from 2nd and someone will be "beaned" for doing it...and not sure if its an unwritten rule but A-Rod the loser..pulled a no no in Toronto and everybody ignored it in the states pretty much..he was rounding the bases on a infield pop up and yelled I got it next to the guy going for it and the player dropped it. Of course A-Rod has very little respect for the game anyway..the blatant swat at 1st baesmens glove in the playoffs one year was pathetic. Oh and he used roids...lol

It's not quite a black and white situation. Yes it's okay to pick up the sign and give your teammate a head's up if he wants it. The pitcher can still take it personal and bean the hitter if he thinks that's what is going on. I'm not quite awake yet so I'm not explaining it well, but I hope the gist is getting through. So yes it's okay, and no it isn't.

Funny you mention A-Rod, as he was accused of tipping opposing batters of the upcoming pitch while playing SS in Texas a while ago. That is an absolute no-no.

[gubunko]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

I really can't watch ESPN anymore, and I don't really miss it with all 4 major sports having their own network. Love MLB Network

Yeah, with MLBN going on-air a year ago, it's much more obvious to see how bad ESPN's coverage has become (or how bad it always was). ESPN losing Gammons will be a huge blow for them.

[ill23matic]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

lol...really? It's brought up quite a bit when someone has one going (if a bunt is attempted. Just recently, during Lester's perfecto attempt, a player showed bunt and Eckersley began grumbling about "the right way" to play...and that was in the 6th! Heck, even The Show commentators make an issue of it if you try it.

It is one of baseball's longstanding "unwritten rules" like not stealing with a large lead, pitcher's protecting hitters, etc. Some of those rules have been stretched or bent in more recent years as the dynamics of the game have changed (the "quick strike" ability of some offenses make larger leads less insurmountable, for example), but they are there.

So, it's not so much that he can't, it's just that it's generally felt that he shouldn't...in the interest of sportsmanship. Now, whether or not people should think much of sportsmanship advice from people generally believed to find every possible way to cheat their way to victory is a separate discussion...lol. Baseball is awfully schizo with their "traditions."

He is right, it IS an unwritten rule. They just talked about Jim Abbotts no no the other day, and Lofton tried to bunt in the 9th, needless to say, he got boo'd.. I would say 6th inning or earlier, its not a bad thing. but if you are coming up in the 7th 8th or 9th and try that, whoever is starting the next game should be whizzing a fastball by the hitters head or put one in his back.

You want to break the unwritten rules, regardless if you know them or not, its only right you pay for it at another time.

As for stealing signs, its part of the game. If you cannot disguise your signs and/or adjust once the team is picking them up, you deserve to lose. In college we were on the verge of getting swept and picked up that the shortstop was opening his glove behind his back to signal an offspeed pitch was coming to the outfielders, keeping it closed if it was a fastball.. first base coach picked this up, and we ended up lighting whatever pitcher they threw up on the hill.

[gubunko]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

He is right, it IS an unwritten rule. They just talked about Jim Abbotts no no the other day, and Lofton tried to bunt in the 9th, needless to say, he got boo'd.. I would say 6th inning or earlier, its not a bad thing. but if you are coming up in the 7th 8th or 9th and try that, whoever is starting the next game should be whizzing a fastball by the hitters head or put one in his back.

You want to break the unwritten rules, regardless if you know them or not, its only right you pay for it at another time.

As for stealing signs, its part of the game. If you cannot disguise your signs and/or adjust once the team is picking them up, you deserve to lose. In college we were on the verge of getting swept and picked up that the shortstop was opening his glove behind his back to signal an offspeed pitch was coming to the outfielders, keeping it closed if it was a fastball.. first base coach picked this up, and we ended up lighting whatever pitcher they threw up on the hill.

All this. I remember back in '02, Schilling had a perfecto in the 8th when San Diego's Ben Davis bunted to break it up. There was nothing technically wrong with what he did, but it sure broke the unwritten rule. He wasn't much loved in AZ the rest of his career.

[ill23matic]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

Exactly. I remember when Jim Abbott was pitching a no hitter against the Indians in the early 90's and Kenny Lofton attempted a bunt but was unsuccessful. Yeah it would have pissed people off but that is part of the game.

No.. if your team cannot collect a single base hit in 8 innings, you earn it by getting a single hitting, not using your speed in hopes of getting a cheap bunt single when the defense is thinking the hitter knows the code of baseball. If a guy has a perfect game and throws a fastball about 4 inches off the inside corner, you dont lean into it and take it off the elbow to break up the perfect game. PART OF THE GAME is playing the game the right way. Of course, if its a playoff game and its still close an argument could get made. I think even in a 1-0, 2-0 type game, unless the playoffs are on the line, most major leaguers would respect the game enough to not even bunt

reading a lot of the responses in this thread, some of the people must have not played at a higher level or dont pay attention when watching games on tv

[ill23matic]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

All this. I remember back in '02, Schilling had a perfecto in the 8th when San Diego's Ben Davis bunted to break it up. There was nothing technically wrong with what he did, but it sure broke the unwritten rule. He wasn't much loved in AZ the rest of his career.

good to see another DBacks fan! You from arizona too?

[gubunko]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

good to see another DBacks fan! You from arizona too?

Tucson, getting ready for ST.

[woody2goody]

Re: They obviously didn't include the unwritten rules in this game...

Ive watched games where one team has a HUUUUUUGE lead and players are swinging away with a 3-0 count and the announcers are all over it as being an unwritten rule. this is the team that is batting that is already blowing out the opp. that is.

they say that it is unsportsmanlike.. ive never liked that word in my life you play hard all game long in any sport. you dont ever try to stop scoring. it is the other teams objective to stop you from scoring. if they cant do that... oh freaking well... and i dont care what level of play either... pee wee or pros i dont care... you play to win not to have fun and the fun is all in the winning and rubbing it in the the face of the losers...

While I'm not sure about rubbing it in the face of the losers, you're spot on.

If they can't stop you then they deserve to lose heavily. In football I think kicking a field goal is less piling it on than running a running play and getting 6 (and then a PAT) for it.

As far as I'm aware there's nothing like that in hockey or soccer, but if someone knows of something then correct me on it.