The use of technology to steal opponents’ signs in baseball—culminating in the Astros scandal and ongoing paranoia about electronic cheating.
Traditional vs. Electronic
Sign-stealing—decoding opponents’ pitch signals—has existed since baseball began. It was acceptable if done through observation and base running. But using technology (cameras, replay rooms, electronic communication) crossed the line. The 2017-2019 era saw rampant use of replay rooms and cameras to steal signs in real-time, relaying them to batters.
Paranoia and Accusations
After the Astros scandal broke (2019), paranoia spread league-wide. Teams accused each other constantly. The Red Sox were caught using Apple Watches (2017). The Yankees faced accusations. Pitchers changed signs obsessively, fearing cameras. Baseball became arms race of technology vs. anti-technology measures. Players covered mouths when discussing signs.
PitchCom Solution
In 2022, MLB introduced PitchCom—electronic communication devices allowing catchers to transmit signals directly to pitchers via earpieces. This eliminated visible signs, making stealing pointless. The technology solved the problem but also eliminated a century-old cat-and-mouse game. Baseball’s relationship with technology remained fraught—tradition versus modernity.
References: