A Little League World Series team has been accused of cheating and stealing signs during a regional championship game.
Iowa’s Davenport Northwest clinched the Midwest Regional Championship on Friday with a win over Wisconsin’s Whitefish Bay, though there was some controversy involved. Wisconsin players were convinced that Iowa’s players were stealing their signs.
Video makes it pretty clear. One Iowa player keeps peering around the pitcher and touching his helmet when a pitch is about to be delivered. Wisconsin’s catcher even noticed and alerted coach Kyle Fox during a mound visit.
SIGN STEALING AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES?????
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Wisconsin kids accuse the Iowa kids of stealing signs and tipping off their hitters: a breakdown. 👀📢 pic.twitter.com/S5qeV7NpXq
Fox did complain to the umpires about what seemed to be going on, but no one was ejected. Iowa held on for a 7-6 win, sending them to Williamsport, Pa. for the Little League World Series proper.
Sign stealing is strictly prohibited in Little League. At higher levels of the sport, it is only prohibited if teams use electronic means to steal signs, and there is no rule against simply decoding them on the field.
The Little League World Series is far from immune to controversy. Wisconsin players will likely feel that something should have been done about Iowa’s behavior, especially since they wound up losing by one run.
