On May 11, 2021, former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Michael Bolsinger filed suit in Harris County (Texas) District Court, alleging the Houston Astros violated the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (TUTSA) when they stole the Blue Jays’ catcher’s hand signals. The catcher uses these closely guarded hand signals to relay to the pitcher the next desired throw. Bolsinger claims the theft cost him his major league baseball career and is seeking $1 million in damages. On July 12, 2021, the Astros filed a motion to dismiss, claiming the plaintiff‘s trade secret legal theory defied common sense, arguing any spectator with the right seat and binoculars could easily steal the pitch signals. The court has not yet decided the motion.

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