Whether you are an avid fan or have only a passing interest in baseball, you have witnessed umpires using hand signals to signify balls, strikes and outs. Some of these gestures are subtle, but, in many cases they are extremely animated even at the youth baseball level. Umpires have raised the calling of strikes and balls to an art form, often offering more entertainment to fans than the play on the field..

Now, I have been and avid fan of the game for over 30 years and coached the game for over 10 years and never really thought twice about the origin of umpire signals. I guess I just assumed they were part of the game and were part of Abner Doubleday's original plan. It wasn't until recently that I actually began to question their origin. I was using the analogy of a third base coach not giving a hitter a sign in a recent hub ("So How Was Your Day") when the question of how signs in baseball had developed hit me. My initial curiosity was related how the touching the nose, tipping the cap, tugging the earlobe and all the other motions third base coaches go through (including myself) became part of the game. But my research took my in a slightly different direction. How umpire signals began?

There is some controversy /confusion over whom should be credited with developing arm signals. In fact a 2006 documentary entitled "Sign of the Times" was dedicated in part to this subject. Unfortunately, I have never viewed the program, so I uncertain to what conclusion they came.

Some credit Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem with introducing hand/arm signals to the game. In fact, his plague at the Hall of Fame states " Credited with introducing arm signals indicating strikes and fair or foul balls". By all accounts,Mr. Klem, often referred to as the "father of baseball umpires", is a baseball professional we should all revere. He holds the record for most years umpiring in the major leagues - 37. So proficient was he at calling balls and strikes, he spent his first sixteen years exclusively behind home plate. He umpired in a record 18 World Series during his career and was the first umpire inducted into the Hall of Fame. One of the first to wear a modern chest protector beneath his shirt, he successfully campaigned to have it officially adopted throughout the National League.

Mr. Klem certainly was a legendary figure in baseball and contributed much to game through his skills, professionalism and innovation. But in what research I was able to conduct, I was unable to identify when Mr. Klem actually began to use hand/arm signals or how and why he developed them.

Another explanation of how umpire hand/arm signals developed and to whom the credit given seems more likely and is certainly more appealing.

In 1886 at the age of 24, William Ellsworth Hoy signed a professional contract with the Oshkosh, Wisconsin minor league team. At 5'4" and 145 lbs, Hoy was considered diminutive, even by the standards of the day. In addition to his size, Hoy had another obstacle to overcome. He was deaf.

As was common in that era, people who could neither hear or speak were referred to as dumb. This was not considered a derogatory reference at the time nor a reference to some one's intelligence. Because of his affliction, Hoy was nicknamed "Dummy". I know by today's standards assigning such a nickname would be considered politically incorrect, but Mr. Hoy seemed quite comfortable with his nickname; often correcting people who called him by his given name William. So please do not take offense, if I refer to Mr. Hoy as "Dummy".

Hoy overcame his size disadvantage with speed and cunning. He was considered to be one of the all-time great defensive center fielders on a par with Tris Speaker and Willie Mays. In 1901 at the age of 38, he lead the league in outs, assists and fielding percentage. It was the only time in history an outfielder led the majors in all three categories.

Initially, his hearing impairment caused "Dummy" some problems at the plate. Back in that era, umpires shouted their ball and strike calls. Being deaf, Hoy could not hear the calls, so he had to turn and try to read the lips of the umpire. Opposing pitchers noticed this tendency and began to quick pitch "Dummy". As a result he batted a meager .217 in his first season with Oshkosh.

As the story goes, Hoy came up with a simple solution. He had his coach stand at third base and signal him the umpire's calls. Left arm up for a ball. Right arm up for a strike. No longer having to "peek" back at the umpire, Hoy's batting average increased by 150 points to .367 the following season. Umpires around the league took note and began to use the same arm gestures to signal balls and strikes.

"Dummy" Hoy went on to have a very respectable major league; competing for 14 seasons in the "bigs". He played with such legends as Connie Mack and Honus Wagner and was managed by Hall of Fame owner Charlie Comiskey.

Some of his career accomplishments include:

The debate over the origin of umpire hand signals may never be resolved. Even the Hall of Fame seems to be confused on the issue. Although Mr. Klem's HOF plague credits him with introducing hand signals, an article published in 2007 and posted on the HOF website gives credit for the introduction of hand signals to another umpire, Cy Rigler.

According to other sources, Mr. Rigler began using hand gestures while umpiring in the minor leagues in 1905. When he moved to the majors in 1906, he found the practice had become so widespread it had proceeded him.

Still other sources claim hand signals were being used in the minor leagues in 1886, prior to "Dummy " Hoy's employing the assistance of his coach.

Given this era when player's impact on the game seems to stem more from their use of performance enhancing drugs or off the field antics, I hope the debate is settled in favor of "Dummy" Hoy. It seems to be the scenario that best fits the lore and mystic of the game. A under-sized player who overcame his size and handicap to have a long and successful career. And who along the way contributed more to the enjoyment of the game than merely his play on the field.

There is a movement underway to get Mr. Hoy elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Having heard his story, I hope this campaign is successful.