A Word On Stealing Signs

    Sign stealing is a natural part of baseball. If a player figures out the other team's signs, even if he has to look for them, that is an advantage not unfairly won. There is a reason why changing signs and giving them subtly is practiced and taught from little league to the MLB. Many players who were adept at stealing signs simply by observing the other team repeatedly give them in a game provide a huge advantage to their teams, which can be ready whenever the opposing team wants to steal, or throw a breaking ball, or bunt. However, there are legal limitations on what can or cannot be done in order to steal a sign. If a runner on second base notices that the catcher gives a sign without concealing it properly, it is his right - nay, his responsibility - to relay that information to his team. Okay, so if this is part of the game, then what's the big deal about the Astros and Red Sox electronically stealing signs (and championships) a few years ago? In 1961, the National League banned the use of a "mechanical device" in order to obtain and / or relay signs. 40 years later, in 2001, MLB issued a memorandum banning the use of any kind of electronic device in order to communicate with each other during a game (especially for stealing signs). The Astros and Red Sox used cameras in their stadium in order to find, decipher, and relay signs to their batters. While this is in obvious disregard for the league's previous two memos, it's also against common sense. No team should use their own unique devices in order to steal signs. It's an unfair advantage that can be only used by the home team. Memo or no memo, this was clearly unacceptable. That said, I don't think any participating member of the Houston Astros or the Boston Red Sox during the scandal should be admitted to the Hall of Fame. 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/21/mookie-betts-everybody-was-aware-2018-red-sox-stole-signs/11316385002/