Pitch Tipping

[Dbax_Faithful]

Is pitch tipping illegal in baseball? I guess all three situations is my question.

1) The pitcher does something different for a pitch like tucking his elbow in on a changeup (like in Mr. 3000).

2) A fielder signing to the batter of the opposing team of what pitch is coming (A-Rod).

3) A baserunner signing to the batter of his own team pitch location (Stephen Drew).

I tried Googling this but couldn't find anything but the description of #1 and articles about #2.

[SPTO]

Re: Pitch Tipping

Is it illegal? Hmm, I'd say it's probably frowned upon if you want to be strict about it but it's all part of gamesmanship and has been a part of baseball probably since the very beginning. That's why when there's a runner on 2nd base catchers and pitchers go through what seems like a hundred signs before the pitch is thrown. It's because they know that pitch tipping can and most likely will occur.

[Speedy]

Re: Pitch Tipping

If a pitcher is tipping his pitchers, then it's his own fault...many batters can pick up on it (whether a pitcher is feigning the glove a certain way for breaking balls or whether his arm action is different on a certain pitch)

If a player is tipping pitches/location to a batter then it's up to the battery (pitcher/catcher) to make both players pay. As an example, call for a breaking ball low and outside, to which the batter will be tipped of, then throw something high and in or at the ribs. They'll get the point.

The last point is used heavily as it lets fielders get into better field position. If it's a changeup to LH hitter, then the 2B would probably like to be a little closer to the hole then normal. To my knowledge though, fielders study a batter and their tendancies so if it's a pull hitter they'll play accordingly...if your pitcher is a sinker baller and it's a RH hitter, then the IFs will be a little more on their toes. I don't believe many fielders actually look in and adjust their fielding position based on individual pitch selections although I may be wrong.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Pitch Tipping

Joe Mauer likes to signal pitches when he's at second.

http://www.iviewtube.com/v/90219/joe-mauer-stealing-signs-from-catcher

[p_rushing]

Re: Pitch Tipping

#1, nothing wrong with the hitter knowing, its the pitchers problem
#2, the team should take care of their own teammate for that
#3, that is frowned apon and will get someone hit if they catch them

[Dbax_Faithful]

Re: Pitch Tipping

Joe Mauer likes to signal pitches when he's at second.

http://www.iviewtube.com/v/90219/joe...s-from-catcher

My initial thought was that I found funny about that video was how, while the catcher caught on the the fact that Mauer was turning his head in the direction of the intended pitch location (and cycled his signals), the commentators never picked up on it.

But then I realized while typing the above paragraph that it was a Twins channel and, therefore, Twins commentators so if they did catch it they would most likely stay hush because it's their own guy doing it.

[Dog]

Re: Pitch Tipping

When I played in High School and Legion, pretty much every team had signs to send to the batter if there was a runner on 2nd to tip the pitches. I can only imagine what happens in the MLB. I think it is just part of the game.

[NDAlum]

Re: Pitch Tipping

It's a punk *** move if you tips pitches

But if you don't try you're giving up a possible advantage

Double edged sword if you ask me