During a recent at-bat, Anthony Rizzo used a subtle hand signal to ask the field umpire to shift position. After Kris Bryant drew a walk, putting a runner on first, Rizzo stepped in. On the second pitch, he fouled the ball off, then tapped the side of his helmet while glancing around the field. The umpire acknowledged the motion with a head nod and a signal of his own. A few pitches later, he had repositioned himself on the other side of second base.
The sequence revealed an unspoken form of communication between players and umpires. Rizzo appeared distracted by the ump’s placement behind the pitcher’s throwing arm, which possibly disrupted his view at the plate. Using just a helmet tap, he requested a change. This wasn’t a call most fans would recognize, but the umpire clearly understood. It’s a small detail, but it shows how players use less obvious methods to manage their environment mid-game. Rizzo’s awareness and the umpire’s quick response kept the at-bat on track without needing a formal stoppage or conversation.