Tapping, twirling and “T” signs: Sports replays have a language all their own
Every moment of pretty much any major sporting event can be dissected in high-definition these days, and officials and umpires are spending more and more time staring at a TV screen to review close calls. It’s also led to a type of sign language unique to the sports world. There’s the twirling motion with a finger that’s ubiquitous during NBA games when anyone believes their team has been wronged.
In the NFL, it’s a red challenge flag thrown by coaches that’s often mimicked by fans. It’s not just a U. S.
phenomenon, either: There’s the rectangular box drawn in the air that’s everywhere in international soccer for VAR (Video assistant referee). In cricket, certain players can make a “T” sign with their hands, signaling they would like a replay from the DRS (Decision review system). Then the umpire draws a rectangular box in the air, similar to soccer.
Now Major League Baseball has a new entry to the lexicon: A couple pats on the head. The Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System officially now is part of MLB games, with cameras that track each pitch and judge whether it crossed home plate within the strike zone. Human umps still call every pitch, but each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game.
When a batter, pitcher or catcher believes a ball-strike call has been missed, they can pat their head a few times and also verbally confirm they want a challenge. It hasn’t taken long for fans to get in on the lingo, patting their heads when they think there’s a bad call. “Everybody now knows what touching the top of their hat means,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said, laughing.
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