BOSTON — While controversy swirls around the Patriots and allegations of stealing of defensive signals, stealing signs in baseball is very common.

The practice is as popular in the game as spitting sunflower seeds and chewing gum, and almost as elementary, too. There’s no penalty for such behavior, but if someone is caught, he must prepare to deal with the unwritten rules of the game, such as having a teammate drilled by a pitch.

“Anything to get the extra edge,” said Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash. “Pitchers tipping pitches or getting catcher’s signs are part of the game. … I would say some teams focus on it a little more than others. They’re trying to figure out something, especially when you have a guy who is dominating on the mound, everybody is going to be looking to see if he is doing something to tip his pitches; anything we can pick up. I think that happens quite often.”

It’s not like all the players in the dugout are watching and discussing the matter. According to Cash, it’s more of an individual event.

“If you pick something up, then maybe something is said. It’s not like there are eight guys in the dugout looking for signs,” he said. “It’s more of if a guys gets on second base, some teams look at the catcher to see where he’s setting up and try to read signs, but it’s tough to see fingers when you’re far away.”

Cash said he doesn’t try to look down to the third-base coaching box to see what their coach is doing because he doesn’t have time.

“Wish I did sometimes, though,” he said. “I would like to know if guys are going to swing on a 3-0 count.”

From a baserunner’s point of view, it’s not that much different.

Red Sox rookie Jacoby Ellsbury said he looks at different things — including watching a pitcher’s back knee because sometimes that’s the first thing that moves before he throws to the plate — when he’s attempting to steal second. A baserunner also will watch what a pitcher is doing with his glove, hips and head.

“There’re a lot of things you look for with a pitcher,” said Ellsbury. “Baseball is obviously about percentages, and anytime you can increase your percentages to steal a base and be successful [is important].”

Ellsbury said he’ll occasionally watch some video to see what a pitcher does, but he also said he spends time studying what a pitcher does during a particular game. He also said he’s getting better at picking up a pitcher’s tendencies.

“You really have to pay attention and be a student of the game,” he said.

Decision due

The Red Sox have been given until “early next week” to accept or decline the opportunity to open the 2008 season in Tokyo against the Oakland A’s, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said yesterday.

Major League Baseball is awaiting a response from both teams and is withholding the release of the 2008 schedule until a determination on the Japanese series is made.

A division exists within the Red Sox organization, with the team’s baseball operations staff against such a series, while CEO and President Larry Lucchino — a member of MLB’s International Committee — said to be the biggest advocate for the trip.

The team’s baseball operations staff believes that the trip would put unnecessary strain on the players to start the season, citing the problems experienced by the New York Yankees — who opened in Japan against Tampa Bay in 2004 — to support their claim.

Whether the Sox go to Japan or not, they appear set to play Oakland to open next season. If the Sox pass on the trip, they will instead open on the West Coast against the A’s in Oakland.

According to a source, the team will meet five of the six N.L. Central teams in interleague play, with an additional series played against Philadelphia. The Sox will play Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Houston, but not the Chicago Cubs.

In recent seasons, the Sox have alternated between Atlanta and Philadelphia as their annual “traditional” rival.

The first draft of the schedule has the Sox finishing the season with a home series against the Yankees.

On the injury front

Red Sox manager Terry Francona gave his daily update on ailing Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez yesterday and not much has changed. He continues to rehab his strained oblique and was scheduled to take some swings in the cage again yesterday afternoon. The Red Sox are still being cautious with his baseball-related progression.

Ramirez isn’t the only player bruised and banged up. Backup catcher Doug Mirabelli, who recently returned from the DL after suffering a strained calf, has been hampered by a sore hamstring. He is doing better, according to Francona and his goal is to be ready for Tim Wakefield’s next start.

Clement pushed back

Matt Clement continues his comeback from shoulder surgery. He was slated to throw a simulated game yesterday, his second in a week, but it was been pushed back because of rainy weather. He will now throw a side session today before facing live batters again on Sunday.

Gagne: ‘I’m healthy now’

For the first time in almost two weeks, Eric Gagne made an appearance last night, pitching the ninth in the Red Sox’ 16-10 slugfest win over Tampa Bay.

Gagne, who was out with a sore right shoulder, last pitched Aug. 30 in Chicago. He blamed the condition on some overwork as he attempted to work some mechanical issues out on the side.

Perhaps predictably, Gagne showed some rust in giving up two hits and a run while striking out one. But the main thing was how he felt.

“In that situation,” said Francona, “you’re looking for how the ball’s coming out of his hand, which I thought was very good. He used all of his pitches. I think Eric is smart enough to know the way the ball comes out his hand is more important than giving up a run.

“I felt really good,” said Gagne. “It was exciting. I’m healthy now — that’s why I was out there. I left a couple of pitches up, but otherwise, I was pretty excited. I rushed a couple of pitches, but I liked the way the ball was coming out of my hand.

“The main thing was to get back out there and get a good feel for the mound.”

Around the bases

David Ortiz’s homer last night — a solo shot into the bullpen to open the seventh — was the 218th of his career as a DH, tying Don Baylor for fourth all-time. Harold Baines is next on the list with 235. … In his last seven games, Coco Crisp is 10-for-23 (.435) with six runs scored and seven RBI. … Third baseman Mike Lowell had four hits, the sixth time this season that he has had at least that many in a game. Over his last 24 games, Lowell is hitting .402 (37-for-92).

smcadam@projo.com