Cubs controversy puts baseball’s unwritten rules under scrutiny
A heated moment between the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks has put one of baseball’s unwritten rules under the spotlight. What started during a tense inning quickly sparked accusations, dugout exchanges, and questions about what coaches are allowed to do during a game.
As both sides addressed the situation afterward, a surprising clarification from MLB added another layer to the story. Here’s what happened and why the controversy attracted attention.
The dispute began in the fifth inning
The confrontation developed while Merrill Kelly pitched for Arizona against Chicago in the fifth inning. Diamondbacks coaches believed Berry was watching Kelly’s pitch grip and relaying information to a Chicago runner at second base, who could then communicate it to the hitter.
Arizona bench coach Jeff Banister and pitching coach Brian Kaplan joined the exchange with Chicago’s dugout. MLB reported that Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty also became involved as the sides argued.
Merrill Kelly questioned Berry’s actions
After the game, Merrill Kelly said Arizona believed Berry had identified his changeup and relayed that information to Chicago hitters. Kelly said sign stealing has long existed in baseball but objected to a coach being involved.
His comments became part of the controversy. Kelly’s criticism focused on the involvement of a coach rather than alleging that Chicago used electronic equipment or other prohibited technology.
Berry remained inside the coaching box
MLB reported that Quintin Berry appeared to remain inside the third-base coaching box while Merrill Kelly was on the rubber. A 2026 rule requires base coaches to remain within their boxes while the pitcher is on the rubber.
The restriction does not prohibit coaches from observing and relaying signs from inside the box. MLB later clarified that Berry was acting within the rules because he remained inside the designated coaching area.
MLB clarified that the Cubs were legal
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo contacted MLB senior vice president Michael Hill to clarify whether Berry could relay information. MLB explained that coaches may pick up and relay signs while remaining inside the designated coaching box.
Lovullo acknowledged his understanding was incorrect and apologized to Cubs manager Craig Counsell. He said Chicago operated within the rules, ending the dispute over whether Berry violated regulations.
The controversy involved baseball’s unwritten rules
The disagreement touched on baseball’s unwritten rules, which are traditions rather than formal regulations. MLB describes these customs as changing over time, including expectations about stealing bases, showing emotion, and swinging at certain pitches.
Sign stealing has long been part of baseball when information is visible. The Cubs controversy highlighted the difference between conduct considered improper by some players and conduct prohibited by official rules.
Interesting fact: Harry Caray first led Wrigley Field fans in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch on April 9, 1982. The singing tradition continued after Caray’s death in 1998.
Arizona believed Kelly was tipping pitches
Arizona won the series finale 2-0 behind Eduardo Rodriguez, who pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out nine. The Cubs finished with two hits and lost the final two games of the Arizona series after winning the opener. Before traveling to Phoenix, Chicago had lost two of three games in Seattle.
The disputed balk call became the main controversy in the finale instead of the earlier sign-stealing argument. The call was not reviewable, and crew chief Alfonso Márquez acknowledged after watching the video that a balk should have been called.
Interesting fact: Sign stealing has been part of baseball since the 19th century, long before modern technology became part of the debate.
Chicago won the game 7-0
The sign-stealing dispute occurred during a game Chicago controlled on the scoreboard. Kevin Gausman pitched seven scoreless innings, while Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning.
Chicago scored seven runs and recorded its sixth shutout of the season. Merrill Kelly allowed three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings as Arizona lost at Chase Field.
No players or coaches were ejected
Despite the heated exchange, neither team had a physical altercation during the incident. MLB reported that the shouting remained between the dugouts, with coaches and staff exchanging words while the game continued.
No ejections resulted from the incident, and reporting after the dispute did not identify any MLB suspension or other discipline. The confrontation therefore remained verbal and did not develop into a physical altercation on the field.
Lovullo apologized after the clarification
After receiving clarification from MLB, Torey Lovullo called Craig Counsell and apologized for the dispute. Lovullo said he believed coaches were restricted from relaying signs, but MLB explained they could do so inside their coaching boxes.
Counsell accepted the apology and said he appreciated Lovullo reaching out. The managers treated the matter as resolved, while Arizona focused on correcting information exposed during Kelly’s outing.
The teams continued their series
The Cubs and Diamondbacks continued their three-game series at Chase Field after the sign-stealing dispute. Arizona won the second game 5-4 when Ryan Waldschmidt hit a two-run walk-off home run after the Diamondbacks erased a four-run deficit.
The finale produced another controversy when Pete Crow-Armstrong attempted to score against Eduardo Rodriguez. Umpires ruled no balk, but crew chief Alfonso Márquez later said video showed Rodriguez had stepped off the rubber and that a balk should have been called.
Arizona won the series finale
Arizona won the series finale 2-0 behind Eduardo Rodriguez, who pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out nine. The Cubs managed three hits and lost the final three games of their road trip, including two losses to Arizona after splitting a series with Seattle.
The disputed balk call became the main controversy in the finale instead of the earlier sign-stealing argument. MLB reported the non-call was not reviewable, while Márquez acknowledged that umpires should have called the balk.
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The dispute ended with a rule clarification
The Cubs-Diamondbacks dispute centered on a legal strategy that Arizona initially believed crossed a baseball boundary. MLB clarified that a base coach may observe and relay signs from inside the coaching box.
Lovullo’s apology and MLB’s clarification established that Chicago’s conduct was within the rules. The incident drew attention to baseball’s unwritten traditions and how they can differ from written regulations.
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What do you think about the Cubs-Diamondbacks controversy? Like this slideshow and share your thoughts in the comments.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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