Steven Saslow previously coached his sons' Little League baseball teams in Manhattan after a career as chief investment officer for the Blackstone Group. A key lesson for young baseball players is receiving signals from the third base coach, as the coach can signal to batters and runners on second base whether to steal bases or bunt. Coaches develop personalized signals using gestures like touching part of their uniform to conceal the signals from the opposing team.

2.  Before retirement, Steven Saslow served New
York City’s Blackstone Group as chief
investment officer and managing director of
the Blackstone Relative Value Fund. Currently
pursuing a consistent fitness routine and other
interests, Steven Saslow previously coached
both of his sons' Little League baseball teams in
Yorkville, Manhattan.
Teaching the fundamentals of baseball is one
of a Little League coach’s top priorities when
working with younger players. A lesson
involving third-base coaching signals is one of
the first a young player should receive.

3.  The third-base coach can give signals to both the
batter and a runner on second base. The coach can
also, of course, speak directly to a runner on third
base and can relay signals to the first-base coach. A
coach’s signals to base runners will be relegated to
stealing or not stealing. Coaches can give batters a
number of additional signals, such as calling for a
bunt or for the batter to take the following pitch
rather than swing.
Every coach and team will have their own
personalized signals, though they are usually
common gestures and movements, such as placing
a specific hand over a knee or touching the bill of a
baseball cap.

4.  Many coaches also use an indicator to
further conceal signals from the
opposing team. For example, a coach’s
indicator might be to touch his or her
nose. If the coach does not touch his or
her nose, players know that none of the
following signals should be taken. Some
coach’s will also utilize a wipe-off signal,
which essentially withdraws any live
signals that have been given.