by coachjwb » Mon Apr 14, 2014 5:25 pm
Just saw these posts. I think the wristband signal systems are great, but I admit to being pretty biased. In full disclosure, I just posted an "ad" for these in the classified ads section here. I had gotten frustrated with my teams missing signals and other teams stealing them, so I developed a system for a 12-U travel team I was helping coach last year and they worked great for us.
The only issue was around costs ... there are some good systems out there that are being used by some of D1 programs in softball and baseball, but they're too expensive for most travel and school teams. Even the wristbands by themselves can be expensive. So after talking to some other coaches and verifying there was an interest, I was able to secure a supply of wristbands at bulk costs and developed a system that I customize to each team. I don't make much money on it in order to keep it affordable for teams, but it's a fun hobby and cool to see teams using them. Most teams can do it, wristbands and all for $100-125. I've had anywhere from 10-U to high school to 18-U gold to college teams get them from me (about 50 systems in total), and the feedback has been great so far. Most teams are using them for hitting and baserunning (traditional 3B coach signals), but some are mixing in some defensive plays, and some are getting strictly for pitch-calling. They take a couple of games to get used to but, if set up right, they shouldn't be annoying at all and actually quicker to use than traditional signals.
I think they're here to stay and you're going to see more and more teams using them eventually no different than what's happened in football.