Binoculars? Baseball's Blurry Ethical Line

The "unwritten rules" of baseball are being put to the test this season.

Is it unacceptable for a base runner to step on a pitcher's mound? How about trying to bunt for a base hit to break up a perfect game?

Thanks to Dallas Braden, those issues have been debated ad nauseum in the last month.

But what about baseball's fuzzier rules - is it ok to steal signs and if so, under what circumstances?

Welcome to Binocular-Gate.

The Colorado Rockies are ticked off because Phillies bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was caught on camera using binoculars in the bullpen.

Philly insists they weren't trying to steal signs. They claim they were simply monitoring how their catcher was setting up defensively, according to the New York Daily News.

Checking how Carlos Ruiz is crouching from 400 feet away? Um, ok.

The rules about sign stealing are hazy; that's because the MLB rulebook doesn't address the issue. Many in the game say it's just a part of the game and that it's mostly ok if you get away with it - covertly. However, the league sends a letter to each team each year reminding them that "no equipment may be used for the purpose of stealing signs."

No one knows whether the Phillies were actually stealing signs. But there's simply no justification for using bird-watching or camping equipment in baseball. Otherwise, it won't be long until base runners are toting canteens and outfielders are using GPS systems.

There's only one exception to this unwritten rule. Binoculars are permitted at Target Field. That's the only way to get a closer look at Kirby the Kestrel - the hawk that routinely devours giant moths on the right field foul poll.