What Is PitchCom? Communication Device That Helps Pitchers Call Their Own Pitches

Pitchers in the major leagues can electronically signal what they intend to throw this year. On Friday, Major League Baseball added pitchers to the list of users of the PitchCom gadget in addition to catchers.

What Is PitchCom? Communication Device That Helps Pitchers Call Their Own Pitches

Last year, MLB implemented the PitchCom system, which allows catchers to press buttons on wristbands to request fastballs, curveballs, changeups, and any other pitch, as well as the location. Using an earphone hidden inside his hat, the pitcher heard the outcome.

According to TechCrunch, Craig Filicetti, a co-founder of PitchCom, created the gadget in the beginning after using a wrist-based system to convey cues for certain stage effects while he was appearing as a mentalist in performances. According to Filicetti, hundreds of people have used it as a stage prop in 60 different nations.

The system was tested in the Low-A minor leagues and in spring training 2022, and it was approved for use starting in the regular season.

“Use of the PitchCom device is optional for clubs and wholly voluntary for players,” MLB said in a memo to teams. “The decision of one club to not use the PitchCom device shall not preclude their opposing club from using the PitchCom device.”

Each club will get a minimum of three transmitters, 12 receivers, and two charging cases from MLB. At no point may a team have more than three transmitters or twelve receivers.

Up to five receivers may be used on the field by a defensive team at any time. Batters and runners can’t use the device.

How does PitchCom work?

The pitch call is where PitchCom begins. Nine buttons on a gadget worn by the pitcher or catcher can be used to request a specific pitch or location. The other batterymate and three more fielders each have a receiver, as do all other users of the gadget.

Gamers will use the controller to press the buttons in the right order to correspond to a specific pitch and then a specific position. Thereafter, instructions on the pitch and location will be heard in the other players’ local languages through the receiver.

There is a cheat sheet describing which pitches correspond with which combinations on the wristguard holding the PitchCom for people who are less experienced with the gadget. Yet, when gamers grow more accustomed to utilising the devices, they are more likely to have memorized the combinations they need.

A gadget is worn by the pitcher or catcher. While catchers normally utilise the gadget to communicate with pitchers and other infielders, there have been some pitchers who have recently seized control of it. Ohtani was the most recent on Opening Day, and veteran Royals pitcher Zack Greinke has started making his own pitch calls when he’s in the circle as well.

Nevertheless, according to ESPN, Ohtani had it tucked beneath his jersey, close to his shoulder, so he was unable to view it when making pitch calls. Ohtani had to learn the exact placement of the gadget in his sleeve as well as the function of each button on his jersey.

The best pitcher in baseball is Shohei Ohtani. At least, that’s the picture the data over his last 20 starts portray. Since the Angels started employing PitchCom to convey pitch selection to Ohtani on June 9 of last season, Ohtani has led the majors in ERA (1.59) and pitching WAR (4.9) during his previous 20 starts.

He raised the bar once again last night, starting the season against the Athletics with six shutout innings pitched, zero runs allowed, and 10 strikeouts in a 2-1 loss. The fact that he achieved it by calling his own pitches on PitchCom rather than depending on the catcher is by far the most amazing aspect. The kicker, he memorized the keypad to punch the numbers in, rather than wear it on his wrist or forearm like other pitchers.

Ohtani has been relying on his sweeping slider a lot more since the PitchCom adjustment. In his last 20 starts, he has thrown it 41% of the time, compared to 23% in his prior 44 starts.

It ranks behind Dylan Cease’s slider as the second-most valuable pitch in baseball (-22.2 run value) during his previous 20 starts, according to Statcast. He ended the World Baseball Classic by getting Mike Trout out with the same pitch. Naturally, a triple-digit fastball and a vicious splitter that batters must keep in the back of their heads also set it up.

there’s a benefit to others, says San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Cobb via NBC Sports Bay Area:

“With some of the younger (catchers), I think it helps them get their mind off of pitch-calling and they really can focus on some other things that are important: Pitch-framing, the running game is going to be hectic this year, we anticipate. They can kind of shift their focus to that,” Cobb said on Thursday’s Giants Talk Podcast. “I always tell them that if they feel adamant about a pitch, shake me off, and they still have the ability to call pitches. Shake me off and go to a pitch and I’ll listen to it and we’ll go that way. But for the most part, let’s just try to let me get into a flow and get the pace going.”

From The Athletic, on San Diego Padres pitchers trying it out:

“Maybe one shake (of the head in response to a catcher’s sign) is OK, but you don’t want to shake three or four times,” Nick Martinez said. “One shake, I think, is natural. Multiple shakes, if you can eliminate that, it’ll get the game quicker. So I think the PitchCom, that’s going to be the best for that.”

Martinez on Friday became the first Padres pitcher to test the new PitchCom remotes during live batting practice. He described the initial adjustment as “unorthodox.” At one point, Martinez found himself shaking off his catcher and quickly realizing he had a cutting-edge alternative. “I was like, ‘Just press the thing!’” Martinez said. “I think I’ve got to use it in a few bullpens and intentionally call all my bullpens on there.”

 

 

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