Baseball Wristband Signs Generator

How baseball wristband signs work

The coach calls out a number. The catcher, and sometimes the pitcher, finds it on the card: the first digit is the row, the rest is the column, and that square holds the pitch and location. So 34 means row 3, column 4. The coach's sheet lists every number for each call, so the same pitch can be called with a different number each time. Each card version prints its letter (A, B, C or D) in the top corner. Printing two or more versions and switching between them during a game makes the signs much harder for the other dugout to read.

Wristband signs example: reading a real card

Here is a real four-by-four card from the generator with a fastball and a changeup, each called in or away. Say the coach calls 23. The catcher goes to row 2, slides over to column 3, and that square says CH AWAY. A call of 14 is FB IN. Fastball in sits in 4 different squares on this card, so the coach can rotate through 4 numbers for the same pitch instead of repeating one. On the three-digit version of this same card, the columns are labeled 43, 88, 99, 65, so a fastball in could be called as 165.

How to set up your wristband signs template

Enter the pitches he actually throws, up to six, each with a short code of one to three letters or numbers like FB or 2S, and roughly how often you call each one. A fastball called 60 percent of the time gets more squares, so you always have plenty of numbers for it, and every call gets at least a few squares when the grid has room. Pick your locations, from pitch only up to in, away, low and up, and a grid of 3 to 6 rows and columns. Two-digit numbers are quicker for young catchers. Three-digit numbers mix the column labels and are harder to steal.

Two-digit vs three-digit wristband signs

Both styles read the same way: the first digit is the row and the rest is the column. Two-digit cards number the columns 1 through 6 in order, so 34 means row 3, column 4. That's the quickest system for a young catcher to learn. Three-digit cards swap the column numbers for random two-digit labels between 10 and 99, and each card version gets a fresh set. A call of 357 means row 3, column 57. It takes a beat longer to read, but the numbers follow no pattern, so they're much harder for the other dugout to decode.

Adding pickoffs and pitchouts to the card

Pickoffs to first or second, a pitchout, and a waste pitch can all go on the card as their own calls. Each one gets two squares when the grid has room, and those squares come out of the pitch calls. On the default 5 by 6 card, adding a pickoff to first and a pitchout drops each fastball call from 7 squares to 5. If you check more extras than the grid can hold, the generator tells you to add rows or columns, use fewer locations, or drop a pitch. Only add the extras you'll actually call. A pickoff square you never use is a square your fastball could have had.

What the coach's call sheet shows

The player cards are only half the system. The coach's sheet prints on its own page and lists, for every card version, all the numbers that point to each call. Call any number in the FB AWAY row and the catcher lands on a fastball away. The top of the sheet shows the card set number, how to call it (row first, then column), and a key that spells out every code, like FB for fastball or PK1 for a pickoff to first. Keep it in the dugout and out of sight. Whoever holds that sheet can read every card in the set.

Printing cards to fit your wristband

Wristband windows aren't a standard size, so measure yours. Youth windows usually run about 3.5 by 2.25 inches, teen windows about 5 by 2.75, and adult windows about 5 by 3. If yours is different, enter a custom size. By default the generator fills a page with 8 youth cards or 3 adult cards, and you can change the number of copies. Print at 100 percent (actual size), check one card against the window, then cut along the dashed lines. The page link holds your exact setup and card set number, so bookmarking it lets you print the same cards again later.

Wristband rules for pitchers

Most teams give the card to the catcher. If your pitcher wears one too, check your league's equipment rules first. In high school, a pitcher's wristband goes on his glove arm and must be one solid color other than white or gray. In college, it goes on the glove arm and must be black or another solid dark color. Youth leagues set their own rules on what a pitcher can wear, so ask before the first game.

Keep it simple for young players

A calm battery beats a complicated one. For young pitchers, a short card with two or three pitches and a couple of locations is plenty, and the Pitch only setting drops locations entirely. A 3 by 3 or 4 by 4 grid is easier for a young catcher to scan than a 6 by 6. The goal is quick, clear calls so he can stay in rhythm between pitches. Smooth is fast.

Common questions

How do baseball wristband signs work?

The coach calls a number, and the catcher looks it up on his wristband card: the first digit is the row, the rest is the column, and that square holds the pitch and location. The coach uses a sheet that lists every number for each pitch.

How do you make a baseball wristband signs template?

Enter the pitches he throws and roughly how often you call each one, pick your locations and any extra calls like pickoffs, then choose a grid of 3 to 6 rows and columns and two-digit or three-digit numbers. Pick one to four card versions and your wristband window size, print at 100 percent, and check one card against the window before cutting the rest. The coach's sheet prints with the cards.

What's the difference between two-digit and three-digit wristband signs?

Both read row first, then column. Two-digit cards number the columns 1 to 6 in order, so 34 means row 3, column 4. Three-digit cards use random column labels from 10 to 99, so 357 means row 3, column 57. Two digits are quicker for young catchers to read. Three digits are harder for the other team to decode.

How many pitches should go on a wristband card?

Only the pitches he can actually throw for strikes. The generator holds up to six, but for young pitchers two or three pitches and a couple of locations is plenty. Fewer calls also means more squares for each one, which gives the coach more numbers to rotate through.

What size is a baseball wristband card?

It depends on the wristband. Youth windows are usually about 3.5 by 2.25 inches, and adult windows about 5 by 3 inches. Measure your window, print at actual size, and check one card before cutting the rest.

How often should you change wristband cards?

Many coaches print two to four versions and switch between them during a game, and print a fresh set before playing the same opponent again. Shuffling new numbers takes one click.

Can a pitcher wear a wristband with signs?

In high school, a pitcher may wear a wristband on his glove arm if it is one solid color other than white or gray. In college, it must be black or another solid dark color, also on the glove arm. Youth leagues set their own rules, so check yours. Most youth teams give the card to the catcher.

Can I use this wristband generator for softball?

Yes. You type in your own pitch codes and names, so any pitch you call works: up to six pitches, with codes of one to three letters or numbers. Wristband windows vary, so measure yours and use the custom size if it doesn't match one of the presets.

Is stealing signs against the rules?

Reading signs from the field happens at every level. Little League's tournament rules treat stealing and relaying signs to tell the batter what's coming as unsportsmanlike conduct, and changing card versions makes it hard to do in any league.

More free tools for coaches

• Printable Pitch Count Sheet
• Pitch Count Calculator
• Pitching Glossary
• ERA Calculator

Related reading

• A pre-pitch routine for pitchers
• How many pitches does a young pitcher need?
• How to hold runners on base as a pitcher
• How to hit your spots pitching

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