PitchCom is here

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
70,716
This developed quickly, teams have been experimenting with this during the spring and MLB just approved it for use this season:

"Pitchers and catchers will have the option of using newly tested signaling devices as they decide what pitches to throw to hitters in the upcoming regular season, industry sources tell ESPN.

This technology could help to advance Major League Baseball beyond the risk of the sign-stealing scandals that have plagued the sport in the last decade.

MLB is expected to give teams a go-ahead for players to deploy what is referred to within the industry as PitchCom. Using a pad with buttons on the wrist of the gloved hand, a catcher can signal pitches -- pitch type, and location -- with the suggested selection directly to the pitcher through a listening device.

Up to three teammates of the pitcher and catcher will also have access to the signals, aiding fielders in positioning.

Change in baseball is often slowed by tradition, but the first reviews of the PitchCom system this spring have been glowing, with players raving about how the electronic process of pitch-signaling has been seamless, helping with the flow of the pitchers' actions on the mound."

Luis Severino used it this weekend and loved it, he was hoping it was approved right away and now it has been:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33674768/mlb-allow-pitchers-catchers-use-anti-sign-stealing-technology-regular-season-sources-say
 

Zososoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 30, 2009
9,209
South of North
I'd be curious to know how the UI works. My first guess is that you can program the controller with 2-3 things: 1) pitch type; 2) location Y-axis; 3) location X-axis. Perhaps location can just be one input (essentially a keypad). From someone who barely played any ball beyond age 13-14 it seems like this would be clunky and slow, but if the players like it and it speeds things up, that's great. What about when a pitcher shakes off a catcher though??
 

Just a bit outside

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 6, 2011
7,928
Monument, CO
I'd be curious to know how the UI works. My first guess is that you can program the controller with 2-3 things: 1) pitch type; 2) location Y-axis; 3) location X-axis. Perhaps location can just be one input (essentially a keypad). From someone who barely played any ball beyond age 13-14 it seems like this would be clunky and slow, but if the players like it and it speeds things up, that's great. What about when a pitcher shakes off a catcher though??
It may be a little clunky and slow at the beginning but these guys have grown up in the digital world playing video games and will pick it up real quick. I think shaking off will be the same, the catcher will just input another selection.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,375
How easy are those to hack? Because you KNOW some team is going to put in efforts to do just that.
 

NDame616

will bailey
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
2,313
I saw a clip and the umpire is looking right down at the device. I'm wondering how this will help balls/strikes? If an ump knows an outside curveball is coming and are ready for it, will the calls be more accurate?
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,499
How easy are those to hack? Because you KNOW some team is going to put in efforts to do just that.
I'm sure some people will try to hack the devices but to what end? Maybe a catcher that gets crossed up one time may think he inputted the wrong pitch but the second time a catcher gets crossed up, teams are going to go back to the standard signs.
 

tbrown_01923

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 29, 2006
780
Perhaps the communication is limited over some distance, meaning interference would need to be close. That type of engineering isn't my specialty though.
 

EvilEmpire

paying for his sins
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 9, 2007
17,178
Washington
I seriously doubt hacking will be an issue. The consequences of getting caught won't be worth the value gained.

How would batters use that information without someone figuring out that secure comms are being compromised?
 

Jordu

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 30, 2003
8,962
Brookline
PitchCom has a website.

It look easy to use. Looks like you can call the pitch by tappping a number (or short series) and then call location by tapping the number that visually represents the location — 9 for low and away, for example.

I can’t see how it would be faster than putting down fingers if you’re the catcher, but if the dugout is calling pitches it definitely would speed up the game. The dugout could call the next pitch as soon as you get the ball back to the pitcher.
 

simplicio

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 11, 2012
4,723
Wonder if it differentiates between "fastball at the top of the zone" and "fastball neck high."

Cool that it can do different languages.
 

Sad Sam Jones

Member
SoSH Member
May 5, 2017
2,494
It won't speed up the game by signaling faster than fingers. The idea is it speeds up the pace by eliminating the need for the drawn out processes, especially with runners on base, where they would previously use an additional series of signs or have to denote which sign in the series of signals is the correct one just to avoid having the opponent steal the sign.
 

snowmanny

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 8, 2005
15,669
I seriously doubt hacking will be an issue. The consequences of getting caught won't be worth the value gained.

How would batters use that information without someone figuring out that secure comms are being compromised?
I assume the way it would work is that the hack would directly upload the pitch type and location to a display on the Minute Maid Park CF scoreboard.
 

EvilEmpire

paying for his sins
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 9, 2007
17,178
Washington
I think some pitchers will call their own game and be the ones signaling what they are going to throw to the catcher and shorten that signaling/decision making loop a little bit.
 

cgori

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 2, 2004
4,005
SF, CA
Maybe. At any rate, the signal uses an "industrial grade encryption," so the company claims it is "virtually hack-proof." https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31869009/mlb-test-electronic-device-catchers-give-signals-pitchers. Also, it's similar to technology NFL uses and so far as anyone knows, those communications have remained secure.
Both of those phrases are typically marketing quackery.

Devices are "hack-proof" until they're not, almost by definition. And depending on who hacked a system, there might be a strong incentive to not reveal the existence of a hack. (As a popularized example - think of what happened in WW2 with the breaking of the Enigma cipher, and how the Allies couldn't always use the information they had recovered for fear of revealing that the cipher was broken.)

"Industrial grade" (or "military grade" - another popular one) usually means that they followed a defined standard for the encryption primitive, but hacking of systems like this doesn't usually happen via the encryption primitive, but rather some other secondary factors of the implementation. As an example, choosing the wrong encryption mode would allow someone eavesdropping the transmitted data to figure out roughly what was sent (for example, see the sequence of 3 penguin pictures here - the middle picture is encrypted with a high-quality encryption primitive, but you can still tell infer a lot about what was sent, right? Whereas the 3rd image is without structure. The difference is the encryption mode.)

That being said, a decent implementation of this could be hard to hack, but you shouldn't rely on the manufacturer's claims to determine that, someone would need to review it for potential flaws.

Also, I think this system could speed things up in-game - which is great, once any issues are worked out.
 
Last edited:

Joe D Reid

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
4,208
It won't speed up the game by signaling faster than fingers. The idea is it speeds up the pace by eliminating the need for the drawn out processes, especially with runners on base, where they would previously use an additional series of signs or have to denote which sign in the series of signals is the correct one just to avoid having the opponent steal the sign.
It should also eliminate all of the catcher trips to the mound associated with the changes in signals. That's not a huge amount of time overall, but there's nothing wrong with maxing out cuts to the non-baseball parts of baseball games.
 

SoxJox

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2003
7,082
Rock > SoxJox < Hard Place
How easy are those to hack? Because you KNOW some team is going to put in efforts to do just that.
It wouldn't be a hack so much as it would be a signal intercept. I mean, it will be in an RF band that should be easily captured. Most devices like these are within a fairly defined frequency band (for example, wireless keyboards and mice use RF links at 27Mhz or 2.4Ghz; cordless phones use 900Mhz, 2.4Ghz, and now 5.8Ghz. Key fobs, garage door openers, and some home automation systems use 315Mhz or 434Mhz.)

I wonder if the are they going to use encryption as well.

I seriously doubt hacking will be an issue. The consequences of getting caught won't be worth the value gained.

How would batters use that information without someone figuring out that secure comms are being compromised?
Agreed, but you just KNOW someone will attempt it anyway.
 

OurF'ingCity

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 22, 2016
8,469
New York City
I wonder if they are going to institute a rule like in the NFL where if one team is having issues with the electronic communication, neither team can use it.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,676
Maine
I wonder if they are going to institute a rule like in the NFL where if one team is having issues with the electronic communication, neither team can use it.
Not sure why that would be necessary. I think a big reason for the comms rules in the NFL is the play clock. If the comms are down for one team, that affects their efficiency with sending in plays which could have an adverse effect so that effect needs to be equal for both. There's no clock in baseball (yet). So if one device goes down, going to old fashioned hand signals doesn't cause a disadvantage.

Also, I imagine the devices are more easily exchangeable than the NFL systems so that if the system goes down, it can be wholly replaced quickly. Popping a new wristband on the catcher or a receiver in the pitcher's ear has got to be easier than replacing helmet speakers.
 

rlcave3rd

New Member
Nov 5, 2005
199
Portland, Maine
One of the articles I read suggested that the pace of the game could be improved because the catcher can send the signal while the pitcher is walking around the mound or rubbing up the baseball, so when he gets back on the rubber he is ready to throw the pitch, or at least he knows what pitch he will throw so he can be ready sooner.

Have the Red Sox indicated whether or not they plan to use PitchCom? I haven't seen anything.
 

McBride11

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
22,109
Durham, NC
Wait til the WiFi goes down and no one knows hand signals.

I mean half the time in the stadium I can't text because 30-60k (sport dependent) people playing on their phones slows down phone or wifi connections.

Ultimately, I think this is a great idea and I am glad teams are willing to adopt so quickly.
 

Murderer's Crow

Dragon Wangler 216
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
23,479
Garden City
Wait til the WiFi goes down and no one knows hand signals.

I mean half the time in the stadium I can't text because 30-60k (sport dependent) people playing on their phones slows down phone or wifi connections.

Ultimately, I think this is a great idea and I am glad teams are willing to adopt so quickly.
I don't think this is done over the internet or even intranet.
 

Harry Hooper

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jan 4, 2002
34,368
Just add something like a warning tone to the pitcher to deliver a pitch in 8 or 9 seconds
 

McBride11

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
22,109
Durham, NC
I don't think this is done over the internet or even intranet.
Soo pixie dust? Bluetooth?? Those never fail. The CF standing 300 ft from home, no issues? my bluetooth headphones get wonky across my apt.

Just playing devils advovate you are likely right they spent money on the tech.
Ultimately Comment was Tongue in cheek as I think this is great overall, but I cringe at the first malfunction and then the ‘controversy’ that develops. They blocked us, they hacked us, yada yada. And maybe embracing tech gets us robo umps faster.

Is murderer’s crow a rick and morty thing? Or just got tired of 216
 

Murderer's Crow

Dragon Wangler 216
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
23,479
Garden City
Soo pixie dust? Bluetooth?? Those never fail. The CF standing 300 ft from home, no issues? my bluetooth headphones get wonky across my apt.

Just playing devils advovate you are likely right they spent money on the tech.
Ultimately Comment was Tongue in cheek as I think this is great overall, but I cringe at the first malfunction and then the ‘controversy’ that develops. They blocked us, they hacked us, yada yada. And maybe embracing tech gets us robo umps faster.

Is murderer’s crow a rick and morty thing? Or just got tired of 216
Murderer's row, kept the crow since I've had it in my usernames since I'm a kid.
 

Jake Peavy's Demons

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 13, 2013
430
I've seen in multiple places that PitchCom will allow players to receive " the same instructions in their very own chosen language". Does anyone know if this is a set roster of languages, like English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, etc. Or could it be any given language? Could Xander be out there having his signals in Dutch? Papiamento?
 

SumnerH

Malt Liquor Picker
Dope
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
31,893
Alexandria, VA
I've seen in multiple places that PitchCom will allow players to receive " the same instructions in their very own chosen language". Does anyone know if this is a set roster of languages, like English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, etc. Or could it be any given language? Could Xander be out there having his signals in Dutch? Papiamento?
I'm assuming that it can be anything Google translate supports: “The demon sphere will be hurled hastily at external of kneecap.”
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,499
Soo pixie dust? Bluetooth?? Those never fail. The CF standing 300 ft from home, no issues? my bluetooth headphones get wonky across my apt.

Just playing devils advovate you are likely right they spent money on the tech.
Ultimately Comment was Tongue in cheek as I think this is great overall, but I cringe at the first malfunction and then the ‘controversy’ that develops. They blocked us, they hacked us, yada yada. And maybe embracing tech gets us robo umps faster.
I believe this website - https://fccid.io/2A3O2-PRA - contains the FCC testing compliance info. It looks like it's sent over a cellular band but maybe someone who knows more than I do can figure out some of the details.

I'll note that the device currently has room for 9 pitches: 1-four-seam fastball, 2-curveball, 3-slider, 4-change up, 5-cutter, 6-sinker, 7-splitter, 8-screwball, 9-two-seamfastball. Looks like knuckleballers are out of luck and to (I'm sure) Matsuzaka's chagrin, no way to signal for gyroball either.
 

Saints Rest

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Soo pixie dust? Bluetooth?? Those never fail. The CF standing 300 ft from home, no issues? my bluetooth headphones get wonky across my apt.

Just playing devils advovate you are likely right they spent money on the tech.
Ultimately Comment was Tongue in cheek as I think this is great overall, but I cringe at the first malfunction and then the ‘controversy’ that develops. They blocked us, they hacked us, yada yada. And maybe embracing tech gets us robo umps faster.

Is murderer’s crow a rick and morty thing? Or just got tired of 216
Just wait until Mike Tomlin starts complaining about how it never works in Minute Maid Park.
 

simplicio

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 11, 2012
4,723
Didn't realize you can actually record voices with it, that's kinda cool. (from an athletic piece today)
The Phillies use Realmuto’s voice for English-speaking pitchers, and the voice of their Spanish language interpreter, Diego Ettedgui, for Spanish-speaking pitchers.

“To be honest, we get more conviction from using it,” Realmuto said. “First of all, it’s my voice out there. They are hearing my voice and it’s very direct in what I’m saying. It gives them a pitch and the exact location we’re looking for. There’s no confusion.
 

soxhop411

news aggravator
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2009
46,276

So. It seems like PitchCom may have issues in loud stadiums. If todays NYY/BAL game is any indication.

wonder if this will end up with the same type of HFA like with QB’s being unable to hear the calls during Playoff games
 

Murderer's Crow

Dragon Wangler 216
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
23,479
Garden City
Not the first time the Yankees have had this problem. I don't understand why there isn't a backup process in place besides calling timeout. Use signs dummies.