The contention between the Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks regarding pitch tipping practices was addressed by both teams following Monday’s game. The issue arose during the Cubs’ 7-0 victory when Diamondbacks players became upset over Cubs’ third base coach Quintin Berry relaying pitch information to hitters through observations made on Merrill Kelly’s pitching cues. The Cubs prepared for the game with thorough video analysis, which Berry leveraged from the third-base coach’s box. Heated exchanges ensued between coaches during the game’s fifth inning, escalating to shouting and profanity.
Throughout the game, Berry faced criticism from Arizona’s dugout, primarily from bench coach Jeff Bannister, while Kelly glared from the mound and dugout. Kelly described Berry’s actions as “bush league,” emphasizing a distinction between obtaining information inside versus outside the field boundaries. Manager Craig Counsell labeled Berry’s actions as typical gamesmanship within the league, suggesting it is fair game for players on the field to leverage any visible pitcher mistakes.
The situation de-escalated by Tuesday’s pregame activities. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo reached out to Councill, apologizing and acknowledging the legality of Berry’s actions from the coach’s box. Bannister and Berry had a brief discussion on the field, which concluded with a handshake and a hug.
Berry expressed a commitment to using all resources to assist his hitters, highlighting emotional competition as a fundamental aspect of gameplay. He compared the environment to his playing days, before PitchCom technology reduced opportunities for opponents to capitalize on pitch tipping from base running positions. Berry emphasized the importance of thorough study and proactive measures in minimizing opponents’ leverage on such cues during crucial playoff periods.
From the Cubs’ perspective, pitch tipping is an integral part of competitive sports. The team acknowledges having experienced pitch tipping tactics against them throughout this season, notably during Shota Imanaga’s recent game with the Seattle Mariners. Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner stressed the general understanding within the sport regarding field activities as fair play, contingent upon teams’ efforts to curtail pitching cue exploitation.
The Cubs proactively work to shield themselves from pitch tipping by scrutinizing pitchers’ workflows, from glove placement to catcher setups. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy holds this responsibility personally, focusing on correcting any identifiable pitching mistakes before offering opponents an advantage. The Cubs consistently revise strategies, ensuring pitchers retain unpredictable timing on field movements, and account for possible tipping pointers proactively discussed during spring training.
Monday’s incident highlights the minute strategic considerations teams strive to exploit for competitive advantages. Hottovy believes maintaining a Plan B or alternate setups is essential to adapting against opponents’ strategies, underscoring coaching responsibilities in remaining vigilant over players’ actions and planning contingencies.