In the world of baseball, a new craze has emerged that is shaking up the game: pitch tipping. This phenomenon, which has gained prominence in recent years, has become a hot topic among MLB teams and fans alike.
The story begins a decade ago, during the 2015 postseason, when the Kansas City Royals were on a championship run. Their advance scout made a crucial observation: a pitcher's glove revealed his pitch selection. This simple yet powerful insight changed the game for the Royals, and they capitalized on it, scoring runs galore.
Since then, pitch tipping has taken center stage in MLB, with several high-profile instances during the 2025 playoffs. The issue came to a head in the World Series, with base coaches accused of wandering too far, potentially gaining an unfair advantage by observing the pitcher's hands and gloves.
This controversy has led to a new MLB rule, implemented this season, requiring base coaches to stay within their designated box before each pitch. It's a clear indication of the league's commitment to addressing this issue, with teams investing significant resources in advanced technology and staffing to detect even the slightest patterns.
"There's a lot of paranoia about what base coaches are doing," says Athletics GM David Forst. "Reality is often perception in this case."
But it's not just about the base coaches; teams are also focused on ensuring their own pitchers don't tip their pitches. Tips can come in various forms, often involving the position of the pitcher's glove and finger movements. However, as Mariners manager Dan Wilson points out, "Sometimes it's pretty obvious. Everyone can see it."
ESPN delved into the topic, seeking insights from teams about pitch tipping and its impact on modern baseball. Giants GM Zack Minasian emphasizes, "It's a big part of the game. If you can see the grip, it's fair game."
So, how much does pitch tipping matter? Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer shares a frustrating experience: "We had a pitcher whose foot position gave away his intentions. It's a slim advantage, but it can make a huge difference."
Angels GM Perry Minasian adds, "It's still hard to hit, but when you have an opponent's pitches figured out, it's exciting. Yet, sometimes, you look up, and there are still zeros on the scoreboard."
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young recalls a lucky night: "A teammate told me I was tipping, but I threw a shutout. I got lucky that day, but I can't remember how I was tipping."
Perry Minasian emphasizes, "All 30 teams are worried about these small advantages. The margins are slim, and any edge can make a difference."
What are some memorable anecdotes about pitch tipping? Reds manager Terry Francona shares, "I wasn't great at it, but I knew when they were throwing to first. There's so much video now, and we want to make it as hard as possible."
White Sox pitcher Sean Newcomb reveals, "My tip was how fast I chewed gum. I'd chew aggressively on a fastball and stop on breaking balls. I had no idea until a teammate told me."
Padres manager Craig Stammen says, "The Dodgers are always on top of this. When they had a runner on second, I spiked my curveball. I tried to spike every pitch to throw them off. We'll definitely spend time on it."
Giants manager Tony Vitello notes, "In college, it was incredibly prevalent, especially in the SEC. Some teams don't have the resources to dive deep. The top teams are doing it."
How much time do teams spend on pitch tipping? Rangers president Chris Young explains, "We have a review process independent of outcome. It's a big part of modern baseball, focusing on prevention as much as detection."
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen adds, "We spend a lot of time on defensive pitch tipping with our pitchers. It's a part of almost all our internal conversations. We're not sure how much is real after a bad game, so we cross-check with other teams."
White Sox pitcher Sean Newcomb shares, "It's baked into your routine. What you do with your glove, body, and pitch grips. It starts with playing catch every day."
Royals general manager J.J. Picollo emphasizes, "It's a relentless pursuit. We've beefed up our efforts. It's an advantage we can't ignore."
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer concludes, "It needs to be a big part. In the past, it wasn't, but now it's a high focus. All it takes is one tip on one reliever in one inning to change the game. It's going to be a huge focus."
So, what do you think? Is pitch tipping a crucial aspect of modern baseball, or is it just a small part of the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
