Before describing what I do not understand about baseball, I feel I should disclose my own personal biases.

I live near Houston. I moved to Houston several years ago. I am a fan of the Astros, but they are not my first team. I am disappointed in the team cheating, but more disappointed in how the situation has been handled since the issues have come to light.

But here is where I am confused about the "rules" of baseball. And my intent is not to justify the Astros. In baseball, sign stealing is illegal, yet everyone does it...at all levels of baseball. Teams/players do all kinds of things to steal the signs. And this is knows, and not only accepted but expected. So, knowing that sign stealing is illegal, and knowing that everyone is stealing signs, what is it that crossed the line? Was it the use of non-baseball equipment (garbage can), the use of technology (camera & communication to the "worker" of the garbage can), the use of a non-player? (Note: I am ignoring the alleged use of the buzzers as if this did occur it was a later development)

Baseball is way too "dependent" on tradition. Way too many aspects of the game are accepted in the name of tradition. I think this is part of the problem...a failure to adjust to the changing environment. One example. Baseball (and the world) has been significantly increasing the use of technology for many years. Whether you are talking about the use of replay or the use of analytics by teams. And when you combine these significant changes with the amount of $$ at stake, who is surprised that people (players, teams, or anyone associated with baseball) is looking for any way to get an advantage. Where should the line be drawn, and what specific actions crossed the line?

My guess as to why the Astros punishment is light. The Astros are not alone. Not arguing that the Astros weren't the worst, and they may have been the first. But with all of the trades, friendships between players/coaches, shared agents, etc. it would be very naive to think that every team had not been exposed to these tricks. Perhaps most/all of the other teams rejected these tricks...that is a possibility. However, based on how prevalent the use of PEDs was throughout baseball, forgive my pessimism towards this argument. I tend to believe the Red Sox were not the only other team--but only the tip of the iceberg.

I do agree that the players need to be punished. Not sure how. Do you sit the whole team for the first 30 games? Do you spread out suspensions over the course of the year? Either of these options screws up the entire league. First option is an unfair advantage to any teams who play the Astros during the first 30 games. The second option is an advantage to any team who plays the Astros at any time of the year.

Regardless of what is done, I do not like the idea of the batter having any indication of what pitch is coming...that is a big part of baseball.

Summary. Astros sign stealing = bad. Astros response to scandal = really bad. Punishment of players = pathetic. But I believe the Astros are far from being alone.