Catcher's signs

[Jon Williams]

Chris, I've noticed more and more catchers using 'body signs' along with (or rather than) traditional finger signs to the pitcher. Perhaps you can give us an understanding of....(1) why they use body signs (e.g. runner on 2nd? pitcher can't see hand signs?), and (2) how do the body signs work?

Here are some random thoughts I've had watching games....Are some of these fake signs, especially when using hand signs and body signs together? Do body locations (e.g. mask) equal a certain pitch (fastball)? Can the catcher give location with the body signs as well? Do they use indicators with body signs?

Well those are a few things I've been wondering.

Thanks.
Jon

[Jon Williams]

That's a good explanation and makes a lot of sense.

[Chris Hook]

Jon, you are beginning to see more body signs with guys on second because more and more these days guys are relaying signs... or I should say fb or off-speed. Hands off the knees or hands on. I really have started to see it in the Frontier League when my pitcher who was dealing gives up a double and then gives up several hits, runs in a hurry.

Sometimes you will see them give both, changing up from inning to inning from body to signs.. The signs can go a number of ways.. catcher usually uses mask, chest, knee and more than likely the first time he touches it and ends with location on either knee.

It gets complicated, sometimes you sacrifice the conviction of the pitch with the pitcher not sure of what he is throwing out there because he can't focus on the task at hand. It is all up to the pitcher though, some can handle all the thinking as well as the execution.

Your boy Tony LaRussa I am sure has multiple signs going out there in fear of a camera from center field picking up the Cards signs!

I hope this helps.