Arizona baseball fans witnessed a rare dugout showdown on Monday night when the Chicago Cubs defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 7‑0 at Chase Field. The conflict erupted in the fifth inning after Diamondbacks personnel accused Cubs third‑base coach Quintin Berry of picking up signs from pitcher Merrill Kelly and relaying them to hitters.
What sparked the dispute
Diamondbacks staff believed Berry was standing outside the designated coaching box, watching Kelly’s signals and then signaling the batter. A video breakdown by popular baseball analyst Jomboy appeared to show Berry making gestures from the field.
Kelly, who was on the mound, later said, “Stealing signs is as old as baseball, but when it comes from a coach outside the box it’s a little bush league.” He clarified that he considers sign‑stealing by a runner on second base or a batter watching a glove grip to be part of the game, but that coaches must stay within the coaching box.
Lovullo’s response and apology
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, along with pitching coach Brian Kaplan and bench coach Jeff Banister, confronted the Cubs dugout, demanding Berry stop the alleged activity. Lovullo even contacted Major League Baseball’s office to verify whether Berry’s actions violated any rule.
After the league confirmed that coaches operating inside the base‑coaching box are permitted to relay information, Lovullo publicly apologized. “It was a fantastic conversation,” he said. “The third‑base coach and the first‑base coach can do whatever they want, as long as they are inside the dimensions of the base coaching box, so I stand corrected. I called Quintin, apologized, and told him we were wrong.”
Both sides move forward
Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed appreciation for Lovullo’s gesture. “I think the world of Torey. He runs a great ship here and has done a heck of a job. I enjoy every conversation I get to have with him,” Counsell said.
Lovullo added that the intensity of the late‑season race for a postseason spot has heightened emotions on the field. “It’s a very intense time of the year, and a lot goes on. Two teams trying to protect their turf,” he noted.
Sign‑stealing: tradition and rulebook
Sign‑stealing has long been part of baseball, with players on base traditionally trying to decode the catcher’s signals. The practice is legal when done without electronic assistance. The controversy surrounding the Houston Astros’ 2017‑18 use of video technology highlighted the line between traditional tactics and cheating.
MLB’s current rules allow coaches to communicate from within the coaching box but prohibit the use of electronic devices to relay signs in real time. The league’s clarification to Lovullo reaffirmed that the Cubs’ actions were within those parameters.
Local impact
For Arizona fans, the incident underscores the competitive spirit of a team fighting for a playoff berth. It also serves as a reminder that even long‑standing baseball customs are subject to scrutiny under modern rules.
As the Diamondbacks continue their push for postseason contention, both clubs appear committed to focusing on the game rather than off‑field disputes.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
