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Marly RiveraESPN Writer
The Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball Players’ Association have agreed on a new set of rules that will punish players and team personnel who steal posters electronically.
The rules specifically state that anyone who uses electronic devices or visual enhancement devices during the game to identify, communicate, or transmit the opposing team’s signs or pitching information will be subject to disciplinary action, according to a confidential document obtained by ESPN. .
No Astros player was disciplined after an MLB investigation in January revealed an elaborate electronic poster-stealing scheme used by the team in 2017. MLB and the players’ association acknowledged that rule changes were being discussed, including the discipline.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who was still an ESPN broadcaster when Houston eliminated the Yankees at ALCS 2017, has been candid about his criticism of the Astros in the aftermath of the poster-stealing scandal and believes the Discipline will help keep a level playing field.
“I think it’s a good thing,” said Boone. “Obviously it has become something that has become a problem in our sport. I think that somehow, to a lesser degree, in the last two years because there has been strong repression, and obviously everything that happened this winter with the So, look, whatever we can do to make it competitive and fair, to the best of my ability, I support it. “
“After what happened with the Astros, everything MLB does as punishment is valid. The most important thing is for everyone to play legally,” added Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres, who did not make his major league debut. until 2018, but it is one of many. Yankees who questioned the Astros World Series championship after the investigation.
One detail in the new regulations that appears to be a specific result of the Astros’ poster theft scheme is that no team is allowed to install or use any camera that captures an image of the receiver’s signs. Players and team staff can use any video from previous games to identify an opponent’s signs or pitch information if it occurs before the first pitch of a game, and that information can be transmitted to another team’s staff only before the beginning of the game.
The only exception to the sign theft rule is what players have always done to gain a competitive advantage: if a base runner or coach identifies signs of an opposing team or information from the field through their own observation without With the help of the pitcher, catcher or the opposing team’s dugout, that person can communicate that information to a player or coach on the field.
The only electronic devices allowed for use anywhere in the stadium, including the clubhouse, are iPads provided by MLB with approved content, which cannot be updated during the game.
In terms of in-game video access, which is something players have expressed interest in as they have in the past, MLB informed the union that it will continue its best efforts to develop a new in-game video access system. for players during the 2020 regular season and postseason games, but there are no guarantees.
Another detail set forth in the new rules is that starting this Saturday, monitors and televisions at the clubhouse can only display a single video angle of the field to track game action, one that does not show any sign of receiver or launch information. If not available, they can show the transmission delayed.
In terms of penalties, MLB can discipline anyone who commits a violation of the regulations. Discipline may include suspensions without pay or service. Teams, executives and off-field personnel who commit any violation may also be fined, suspended or lose benefits.
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