Cubs manager Joe Maddon was relieved to hear Sunday that players can carry cheat sheets in their back pockets, one day after umpire crew chief Joe West took a card away from Phillies pitcher Austin Davis in the eighth inning.
But Maddon worried that too much information might take away from the players' ability to recognize tendencies on their own.
"At some point, it's getting a little crazy with all this stuff," Maddon said. "The part that I would be concerned with is you take the observation power of the player out of it. Also the point where they become so reliant upon being spoon fed as opposed to understanding what they're seeing in front of them. That's my concern."
Maddon pointed to the defensive instincts of infielder Javier Baez, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and center fielder Albert Almora Jr. that more than compensate for any data.
"I believe in information," Maddon said. "I believe in being possibly reminded, but I still like the idea of players at the end of the dugout. I like that connection between on the field and the dugout, your coach."
Maddon acknowledged that he and his coaches carry cards in their back pockets, "but I don't want to see that with us take the place of players or people watching the game understanding the game, watching swings, or if the guy is not himself today or the pitcher has a better fastball.
"Just be careful with that."
In taking the card away from Davis, West cited Rule 6.02(c)(7), which states that "the pitcher shall not have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance."
