The process began immediately when Tampa Bay's Ji-Man Choi reached second base to leadoff Thursday night's game.
Red Sox pitcher Andrew Cashner stepped off the pitching rubber, took his hat off and looked inside. He then gazed down toward catcher Sandy Leon, who had just peered over at the card attached to his left wrist. Leon proceeded to hold up two fingers, Cashner nodded his head and the two went about their business.
One out later, with the count at 1-1 to Austin Meadows and Choi still standing on second base the pair was at it again. This time Leon held up two fingers, Cashner took a look into his hat, gave a sign of agreement and proceeded to pitch.
Welcome to the Red Sox' latest weapon against sign-stealing.
"It's a sign system," explained Red Sox pitching coach Dana LeVangie before the game. "Multiple, multiple, multiple options to go to. Changing constantly. Just trying to stay one step ahead."
The Red Sox determined just before the All-Star break that there was far too much errant communication between their pitchers and catchers when it came to trying to mix up signs with runners on second base. So a plan was hatched to have the relievers carry cards in their hats in order to get on the same page while still eliminating potential sign-stealing.
As the weeks passed the starting pitchers began to utilize the same process, one which was already practiced by both the Yankees and Rays.
While the fielders still carry their positional cards, this is something completely different. And it appears it's a process that is here to stay.
"Too many times catchers and pitchers were crossing each other up," LeVangie said. "We want to focus more on pitch execution rather than putting time, energy and effort into the system. We value it big-time, but we want to make it so it’s not so complicated that it is taking away from the pitches.
"We started it out with the relievers and we have slowly seen our starts develop into it. They are worrying less about the whole entire seen. They’re making sure they are on the same page. Just trying to find new ways to make it easier for everyone."