Astros: Examining the real issues in the sign stealing controversy

It’s time to take a closer look at this Astros sign-stealing scandal and what the rules actually are.

I know, I know, it’s yet another article about the whole Astros-Gate. I’m so tired of reading all of the scathing articles that seemingly want to hang the Astros out to dry. So here’s a whole different angle.

After doing a little of my own research, I’m somewhat mad at all of the articles out there that have taken the stance that the Astros are guilty until proven guilty. I have yet to find an article that has taken the time to clarify the rules and to actually explain the entire situation in relation to the official rules. And, of course, not many fans of the Astros, much less fans of any other teams, have taken the time to do their own research before believing all of these allegations.

With accusations continuing to be thrown around — those first being made by former pitchers to now those of alleged front-office emails — and all of them seemingly sticking, no matter what the official MLB investigation does or doesn’t prove, the damage has been done just because the accusations have been made.

But I want us to just wait one second before we declare a judgment. After all, in our judicial society, you are innocent until you’re proven guilty. All of the things being discussed so far are merely circumstantial from an evidentiary perspective. It all has yet to be proven, and nothing that has been alleged makes much sense anyway, especially when you look at the actual rules of the game.