The catcher gives signs to tell the pitcher what to throw and where, without the batter finding out. Those fingers he flashes between his legs are a secret code that runs the whole at-bat.
A code between two players
One finger might mean fastball, two a curve, three a slider, plus signals for the target. The catcher studies each hitter’s weakness and picks the pitch. If the batter cracked the code he’d know what’s coming, so the signs change constantly, especially with a runner on second who can see them.
From fingers to technology
Since 2022, MLB introduced PitchCom, an electronic device: the catcher presses a button and the pitcher hears the pitch in an earpiece. It was born to stop sign-stealing after the scandal that rocked the sport, but the classic finger signs are still everywhere.
FAQ
Why does he switch signs so much?
To keep the opponent from decoding them, mainly when a runner on second can peek in.
What is PitchCom?
An electronic system that sends the pitch call by audio instead of hand signs.
