The Major League Baseball world has been taken by storm this offseason since the Houston Astros were found guilty of electronic sign-stealing during their 2017 World Series run.
Picking up signs from second base has been a part of baseball for many years and is considered fair play, but the Astros took it too far when they introduced technology into it by placing cameras in center field to pick up catchers’ signs and then relaying them to hitters by banging on a trashcan.
The Astros were punished for the scandal in the form of a $5 million fine, suspensions for general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch – who were then fired by owner Jim Crane – and the loss of future draft picks.
None of the players were disciplined, however, as they were given immunity by MLB for cooperating with the investigation and telling the truth.
While many throughout the league are not happy with the discipline, the main focus is on preventing something like this from occurring again. Because of that, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN’s Karl Ravech that new rules to prevent it are currently being discussed and will be implemented before Opening Day of the 2020 season:
“There is no question that we will have a new policy before the 2020 season begins. The core of that policy is going to be to restrict access to video during the game. I think about other sports, I don’t deny that video can help you perform if you have access to it during the game. But a golfer can’t come off the sixth hole and take a quick look at what he’s doing with his swing. We’re going to have to learn to live with less access to live video in and around the dugout and clubhouse.”
During MLB games, players typically have access to video to review their at-bats, watch previous outings of the pitcher that is on the mound, in addition to coaches having access to it for instant replay challenges.
One option would be forcing players to remain in the dugout for the entirety of the game, but that may be a bit unrealistic.
While finding the right set of rules to prevent any future scandals will be difficult, it seems that both sides are focused on making it happen within the next month to ensure fair play in 2020 and beyond.
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