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It's odd that the league doesn't have a rule where one coach can require the ump to do an 'equipment check' for whatever on any player. After the ball is caught

It's odd that the league doesn't have a rule where one coach can require the ump to do an 'equipment check' for whatever on any player. After the ball is caught by the catcher, the Ump can be required to check the ball. If it's sticky, the pitcher is out and the batter walks. Then they figure out what to do with the cheater. And the coach can do this twice a game or something like that.

JoshTko 5y ago
Coach should be able to call unlimited times as long as they are right.
llbeansandrice 5y ago
This is a rule. Coaches are allowed to call for a check whenever they want. There's a few (in)famous instances of it and the player is immediately thrown out of the game. Opposing coaches just don't bother because their guys are cheating too.
csa 5y ago
A coach can ask for a check. They will probably find something. The next inning, the opposing coach reciprocates and asks for a check, also probably finding something. Both coaches are incentivized not to check so that their pitcher is not checked.
- jollybean 5y ago
  If the players faced consequences, then the coaches would be incentivized to check. Imagine if you could pop out your opponents best player because, well, he's cheating? I think I understand the 'unwritten rules' etc. but it seems maybe it's time to sort it out a little better. In a way that doesn't incentivize people to be apocalyptic about it.
- savanaly 5y ago
  Wouldn't the person with the worse "best" pitcher be incentivized to check? It's a zero sum game. Plus they could always have their best pitcher not cheat, then call the other team on it, and now you get your best pitcher and the other team only gets their second-best pitcher.
  - csa 5y ago
    Baseball is a weird game with lots of traditions and a long memory. This year, your team may have the worse pitching staff and get the best of a team with a better pitching staff by calling for checks. Next year, when your team is better, or even the same year against a team with a worse pitching staff, you will be on the receiving end of this “zero sum game”. Not to mention, the coach who snitches will probably never be able to coach again for violating an unofficial code of conduct. That’s my take on the situation.
soared 5y ago
Baseball is thick with unwritten/unspoken rules that define the respect and integrity of the game. Coaches don’t like to do things that put “the integrity of the game” at risk. Very similar to golf in that regard.

JoshTko 5y ago

Coach should be able to call unlimited times as long as they are right.

llbeansandrice 5y ago

This is a rule. Coaches are allowed to call for a check whenever they want. There's a few (in)famous instances of it and the player is immediately thrown out of the game. Opposing coaches just don't bother because their guys are cheating too.

csa 5y ago

A coach can ask for a check. They will probably find something. The next inning, the opposing coach reciprocates and asks for a check, also probably finding something. Both coaches are incentivized not to check so that their pitcher is not checked.

jollybean 5y ago
If the players faced consequences, then the coaches would be incentivized to check. Imagine if you could pop out your opponents best player because, well, he's cheating? I think I understand the 'unwritten rules' etc. but it seems maybe it's time to sort it out a little better. In a way that doesn't incentivize people to be apocalyptic about it.
savanaly 5y ago
Wouldn't the person with the worse "best" pitcher be incentivized to check? It's a zero sum game. Plus they could always have their best pitcher not cheat, then call the other team on it, and now you get your best pitcher and the other team only gets their second-best pitcher.
- csa 5y ago
  Baseball is a weird game with lots of traditions and a long memory. This year, your team may have the worse pitching staff and get the best of a team with a better pitching staff by calling for checks. Next year, when your team is better, or even the same year against a team with a worse pitching staff, you will be on the receiving end of this “zero sum game”. Not to mention, the coach who snitches will probably never be able to coach again for violating an unofficial code of conduct. That’s my take on the situation.

soared 5y ago

Baseball is thick with unwritten/unspoken rules that define the respect and integrity of the game. Coaches don’t like to do things that put “the integrity of the game” at risk. Very similar to golf in that regard.