Digital Signs - PCA Baseball

Digital Sign Cards
Defensive Signs
• Infielders take a white wrist band from the bucket and return it when they are removed from
playing the field.
• Defensive signs are called out loud from the dugout by the defensive coach.
o The sign is directed to either the 1st or 3rd baseman who relays the call to the other
infielders. The player selected to relay is based on the location of the dugout.
 If the dugout is located along the 3rd base line, the 3rd baseman is the relay.
 If the dugout is located along the 1st base line, the 1st baseman is the relay.
o Each infielder uses his wrist band to decode the play.
• Valid signs are given as Color - Number. Decoys are given as Number-Color or using a number
greater than 15
• All signs need to be processed within 2 seconds
• Once a sign is given, it remains in effect until:
o Another sign is given (e.g. another/different bunt coverage), or
o A decoy sign is given, or
o The defensive situation changes (e.g. the runner steals 2nd so there is no longer a
1st/3rd situation)
* A given sign will not be repeated on every pitch
• Pickoff plays only apply for one attempt/pitch. After that, the play is off.
• If nothing is called from the bench:
o The default bunt defense is:
 Crash (WC):
No one on or a runner on 3rd
 Wheel 1(W1): Runner on 2nd (Steal coverage is always SS)
 Wheel 3 (W3): Everything else (Steal coverage is always 2nd)
o The default 1st / 3rd defense is: SS cut (13C)
• In acknowledgment of the default defense for a situation, the bench will simply call out to the
1st / 3rd baseman (who relays the same to all infielders):
o “1st / 3rd”
o “Watch for bunt”
• Catchers wear two cards in a single wrist band: 1) Pitches and 2) Defense. Catchers must relay
certain defensive signs to the pitcher:
o Pickoff:
Pound + 1, 2 or 3
o Bunt Coverage: Thumb toward 3rd (W3) or Pinky toward first (W1), or five fingers (WC)
o Day Light:
Pound + 5 (then later a glove pound to the ground to call for the throw
to 2nd)
* Note that Pickoffs can be called independently by the Catcher or be Pitcher-initiated w/o sign.
• Two signs may be called out given a situation (example runners at 1st / 3rd)
1. Bunt defense (Default: WC)
2. 1st / 3rd defense (Default: 13C)
Offensive Signs
• The batter and on-deck hitters take a black wrist band from the bucket.
o Wrist bands remain on while running the bases
o Return the wristband to the bucket when returning to the dugout.
 Key to remembering this - when you remove your helmet, remove the wrist
band
o Infielders already wearing a defensive wrist band can either wear both wrist bands at
the plate or remove the defensive wrist band. If the defensive wrist band is removed,
place it in your mitt so that you will remember to put it back on before taking the field.
• Offensive signs are called out loud from the dugout by the head coach. The sign is directed to
either the 1st or 3rd base coach who relays the call to the batter and other base coach. The
coach selected to relay is based on the location of the dugout.
o If the dugout is located along the 3rd base line, the 3rd base coach is the relay.
o If the dugout is located along the 1st base line, the 1st base coach is the relay.
• Valid signs are given as Color – Number. Decoys are given as Number-Color OR using a number
greater than 15
• The batter steps out to look at his wrist band
• All signs need to be processed within 2 seconds
• Runners on base look at their wrist bands while standing on the base, before getting a lead
• Once a sign is given, it remains in effect until:
o Another sign is given, or
o A decoy sign is given, or
o The offensive situation changes (e.g. the runner steals 2nd so there is no longer a hitand-run in effect)
* A given sign will not be repeated on every pitch
• A Take applies for one pitch. After that, the Take is off.
• The 1st and 3rd base coaches also wear wrist bands.
o Runners should tip their helmet as soon as they understand the sign. Even for decoys.
o Runners can roll one hand in a circular motion indicating they need the sign to be
repeated.
o The base coach will verbally repeat the sign as called from the bench for runners on 1st
and 3rd. The 3rd base coach will also handle the runner at 2nd.
o As a last resort, the base coach will verbally reveal the actual code to runners on 1st or
3rd (e.g. HR, WO, S, SQ, T, B or “X” (meaning a decoy was called))
Pitches
• Pitches are called from the dugout using hand flashes.
• The head coach will flash three consecutive signs using the fingers on one hand
• A zero is indicated by a clenched fist
• The first two signs make up the column on the card. The 3rd sign is the row.
• All signs need to be processed within 2 seconds
• The catcher can roll his throwing hand in a circular motion indicating that he needs the sign to
be repeated.
• Catchers wear two cards in a single wrist band: 1) Pitches and 2) Defense
o The catcher needs to hear and understand any defensive play called by the bench.
o Some defensive plays require that the catcher relay a sign to the pitcher:
 Pickoff: Pound + 1, 2 or 3
 Bunt Coverage: Thumb toward 3rd (W3) or Pinky toward first (W1), or five
fingers (WC)
 Day Light: Pound + 5 (then later a glove pound to the ground to call for the
throw to 2nd)
o In some cases there will also be a need to signal a pitch (e.g. Bunt Defense), while others
(Pickoff) there is no need for a pitch sign
o Some defensive signs do not need to be signaled to the pitcher (e.g. First/Third defense)
• Catchers return their wrist band to the bucket when removed from the field
Outfield Positioning
• The default outfield positioning is: 5-5-5. Always shift (LH or RH) first.
o Default positioning is assumed whenever there is no overt call from the bench.
o Positioning between digits is roughly 3-5 steps (10-15 feet)
• Outfield positioning will be called out loud by the defensive coach on the bench
• The call is directed to either the Left or Right Fielder who relays the call to the other outfielders.
The player selected to relay is based on the location of the dugout.
o If the dugout is located along the 3rd base line, the Left Fielder is the relay.
o If the dugout is located along the 1st base line, the Right Fielder is the relay.
Offensive Signs
Bunt
B-Bunt (15%)
Bk-7
R-6
Bk-13
Y-14
Gn-4
W-9
Bl-4
P-8
Bl-2
O-2
R-15
Gy-6
O-14
Gy-2
Br-2
Bl-10
W-3
Bk-4
O-15
O-6
Y-10
R-4
Bl-12
Gy-10
Y-2
Gy-5
R-14
Bl-15
P-2
Bk-8
R-9
P-11
Gy-7
Bl-14
Gy-13
Bl-1
W-15
O-12
O-11
Gn-9
Gn-6
Y-4
O-8
Br-6
R-10
Gn-14
W-13
W-12
Y-11
P-1
Gn-13
R-1
W-2
W-14
Bk-6
Br-12
P-6
Bk-11
R-3
P-4
O-4
Bk-14
O-9
P-5
P-10
Br-14
P-9
Bk-10
SQ-Squeeze (5%)
P-15
Y-6
Steal
S-Steal (30%)
Br-13
P-13
R-11
O-13
R-7
Gn-15
Gy-1
Gn-10
P-14
Gn-7
W-11
Y-13
Br-10
Gy-4
P-12
Br-9
Gy-15
Gy-11
R-8
Y-5
Gn-1
Br-5
Y-3
Gn-11
Gn-2
R-13
W-6
Bk-12
R-5
WO-Walkoff (15%)
Br-4
Bk-3
O-1
Y-9
Br-15
Gn-8
Gy-9
Gn-5
O-3
O-7
W-8
W-10
Y-7
Bat and Run
BR-Bunt & Run (10%)
Y-15
W-5
Bl-3
Bk-2
Gy-12
Bk-15
Bk-1
Gy-8
Br-11
Y-8
Gn-3
HR-Hit & Run (15%)
W-7
Bl-5
R-2
Br-8
Bk-9
Bk-5
Bl-8
O-10
Bl-6
W-1
Bl-13
Bl-7
Br-7
P-3
R-12
Other
T-Take (10%)
Bl-9
O-5
P-7
Gy-3
Gy-14
Br-1
Br-3
W-4
Gn-12
Bl-11
Y-12
Defensive Signs
1st / 3rd
131-1st/3rd Get 1 (5%)
Br-6
W-13
Bl-13
P-5
O-7
Y-1
R-10
Br-13
132-1st/3rd Throw 2nd (10%)
Bk-9
Gn-2
O-4
Gn-5
Bk-11
Gy-14
Y-7
W-7
Gy-8
O-2
Bk-8
Br-12
Br-4
Bk-2
P-9
Y-6
W-14
Br-8
Bk-14
O-1
P-14
W-2
Br-9
P-1
Gy-13
R-12
R-3
W-3
P-3
Br-7
Bk-12
W-6
Gn-9
Y-4
R-4
Bl-4
W-5
Bl-14
O-12
Gn-3
P-11
Bk-13
W-15
Gn-6
Y-11
Bk-1
Y-9
W-9
P-4
O-6
Br-14
Bl-9
W-4
Bl-7
133-1st/3rd Throw 3rd (10%)
Bk-4
Bl-6
R-5
Gy-3
P-7
O-15
O-13
Y-3
W-8
Y-14
P-10
13C-1st/3rd Cut (10%)
O-5
Gy-7
Gn-14
Gy-9
Bk-7
O-8
P-12
W-1
Y-12
R-7
Gy-12
Pick Off
DL-Day Light (5%)
Gn-4
W-11
O-14
R-2
O-9
Gn-1
P1-Pickoff 1st (5%)
O-3
Br-11
Br-3
Gn-8
Bl-5
P-15
P2-Pickoff 2nd (5%)
P-8
Gy-6
Gy-1
Gy-4
Gn-15
Y-10
Gn-7
Bk-3
Gy-11
Gy-10
P3-Pickoff 3rd (5%)
Bk-10
R-14
Bunt Coverage
W1-Wheel 1 (15%)
R-8
Bl-11
Gn-13
R-9
R-6
W-12
Bl-8
Br-1
P-6
Bk-6
Br-5
R-15
Gn-12
Y-8
Br-15
W3-Wheel 3 (15%)
W-10
Y-2
O-10
Br-10
R-13
Gn-11
Gy-15
Bl-10
Bl-2
Gn-10
Y-15
Bk-15
O-11
P-13
P-2
Bl-3
Bl-12
Y-13
Br-2
Bk-5
Bl-15
Bl-1
Y-5
WC-Wheel Crash (15%)
Gy-5
Gy-2
R-1
R-11
Pitch Signs
Fastball
F-Fastball (25%)
FH-High (5%)
FI-Inside (5%)
031
035
042
234
411
453
425
515
125
445
543
014
521
023
141
233
334
215
351
131
331
054
245
452
132
155
211
322
313
434
333
214
253
043
455
121
323
432
534
533
244
554
542
213
144
225
FO-Outside (5%)
212
222
433
343
421
152
312
032
525
512
423
124
444
113
011
454
413
033
321
441
325
352
422
243
332
221
FL-Low (5%)
412
342
544
552
FC-Fastball Chase (5%)
015
013
Curve
051
135
252
052
353
012
511
123
522
041
314
414
513
514
C-Curve (15%)
133
024
553
335
324
224
111
311
112
CC-Curve Chase (5%)
223
034
114
442
345
153
354
551
424
435
142
344
254
535
055
251
545
415
341
241
145
315
Other
524
154
451
134
235
541
025
151
532
242
053
CU-ChangeUp (15%)
143
355
531
122
523
022
443
021
S-Slider (10%)
231
044
Pitch Out
232
115
045
255
PO-Pitch Out (5%)
555
431
R
Bl
Br
Gn
Bk
W
Gy
O
P
Y
1
WO
S
T
S
BR
HR
S
WO
WO
B
2
HR
B
SQ
S
BR
BR
SQ
B
S
B
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
HR B
S
B
S
S
S
BR B HR HR HR HR T
T WO S
S HR HR S
BR B WO S
S WO S
WO B HR BR B
S HR
B
T BR S HR WO B
T
S
B SQ S BR WO
WO HR T
B WO S HR
B
T
HR HR HR HR T
S
S
S SQ WO BR WO
10
WO
B
S
S
T
WO
B
HR
T
B
11
S
T
BR
S
HR
S
S
S
S
WO
12
HR
B
BR
T
S
WO
BR
S
S
T
B=Bunt
BR=Bunt & Run
HR=Hit & Run
S=Steal
SQ=Squeeze
T=Take
WO=Walkoff
13
S
HR
S
WO
B
WO
S
S
S
S
14
SQ
S
T
WO
HR
BR
T
SQ
S
B
15
B
SQ
WO
S
BR
S
S
B
SQ
BR
R
Bl
Br
Gn
Bk
W
Gy
O
P
Y
1
WC
W3
W1
DL
W3
13C
P2
13C
DL
131
2
DL
W3
WC
132
132
13C
WC
132
WC
W3
3
P1
WC
P1
W3
P3
P2
133
P1
P2
133
4
W1
W1
132
DL
133
WC
P2
132
WC
W1
5
133
P1
W1
132
W3
W1
WC
13C
131
W3
6
W1
133
131
W3
W1
W1
P2
WC
W1
133
7
13C
WC
P3
P3
13C
132
13C
131
133
132
8
W1
W1
133
P1
132
133
132
13C
P2
W1
9
W1
WC
13C
W1
132
WC
13C
DL
132
W3
10
131
W3
W3
W3
P3
W3
P2
W3
133
P3
11
WC
W1
P1
W3
132
DL
P2
WC
W3
W3
12
P1
WC
132
W1
P3
W1
13C
W1
13C
13C
13
W3
131
131
W1
W3
131
DL
133
WC
WC
131=1st/3rd Get 1
132=1st/3rd Throw 2nd
133=1st/3rd Throw 3rd
13C=1st/3rd Cut
DL=Day Light
P1=Pickoff 1st
P2=Pickoff 2nd
P3=Pickoff 3rd
W1=Wheel 1
W3=Wheel 3
WC=Wheel Crash
14
P3
W1
WC
13C
133
133
132
DL
13C
133
15
W1
W3
W1
P3
WC
W3
W3
133
P1
W3
1
2
3
4
5
01
FL
C
FC
F
FC
02 03 04
S
FI C
S
F
FI
F FC FH
C CC S
CU FI PO
05 11 12 13 14 15
C
C
F FL F CU
CC CC CU F CU F
CU F CC C CU CU
FH CC F CU FH CU
CU PO FH C PO F
1
2
3
4
5
31 32 33 34 35 41
C FO FH S FL FI
F
F FO FC FO FC
F
F FL F
C FC
C
C
F CU C CC
PO FO C CU CU S
42 43 44 45
F PO FO CU
FO F CC F
F
F
S
FI
C
F
F FL
FI C FH F
21
F
F
FL
FL
F
22 23 24 25
FO S
S CU
F PO CU C
CC F FO FH
C FI
F CU
FH CU F PO
51
C
F
C
C
FI
52
F
C
S
CU
F
C=Curve
CC=Curve Chase
CU=ChangeUp
F=Fastball
FC=Fastball Chase
FH=Fastball High
FI=Fastball In
FL=Fastball Low
FO=Fastball Out
PO=Pitch Out
S=Slider
53 54 55
CU CU C
CU FL FC
F
F
C
F FC F
CU S PO