MLB looking at electronic system for calling pitches

[Diamond_Dog]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Imagine Clayton Kershaw on the mound in Game 7 of the World Series, peering in at his catcher at a big moment. And his catcher flashes ... no sign at all.

That day could be coming very soon.

Major League Baseball is stepping up its experimentation with an electronic communication channel for pitchers and catchers. After trying out the PitchCom system at Low-A West in the second half of last season, big league clubs are tinkering with the technology during spring training.

If the development is met with widespread acclaim, the system could be used in the majors this year. But the current plan is to work it in at the Double-A level this summer.

Very much in favor. I think it speeds the game up,” said Tony La Russa, the 77-year-old Hall of Fame manager of the Chicago White Sox. “Wondering, hoping they make it official. But our experience has been a good one.”

With the PitchCom system, the catcher wears a wristband with nine buttons for calling the pitch and location. There is a receiver in the pitcher's cap, and another one in the catcher's helmet. Multiple languages are available for the encrypted channel.

No need for traditional signs — forget the wiggling fingers.

More

https://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/article/MLB-looking-at-electronic-system-for-calling-17054529.php

*****I’m watching a Spring Training game right now where they’re using this. It does seem to speed the game up.

[CentralMass]

1. I can see it now. " The Pitchcom is a bum". "Hey Pitcom, want to borrow my glasses ?"

[Diamond_Dog]

4. The Pitch com transmits a signal to the pitcher from the catcher

So, it replaces the hand signals the catcher traditionally uses to call for a certain pitch …. . It doesn’t call balls and strikes, the umpires still do that. It also should eliminate sign stealing. It’s kinda cool. The players all seem to like it.

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. I-d like to see umpires use google glass to help call balls and strikes.

Tech exists to create the strike zone box for the TV audience....why not have the same tech for the umpires? Blown calls that impact the game would be reduced quite a bit.

[louis-t]

3. "Speeding up the game" should not be how decisions are made.

Why is Major League baseball always so obsessed with speeding up the game? Patrons should be able to sit down, watch a 3-3.5 hour game, buy some $15 beers and a $12 hot dog, shut the fuck up and enjoy themselves.

And by the way, I read that as 'electronics that would call balls and strikes'. I'm really against that, too. If that's what you want, stay home and play video games. Maybe we should get electronic batters and pitchers, too? Maybe we should have a machine that calls runners 'safe' or 'out'. Where does it end? It's a game full of human error, leave it alone.

[Diamond_Dog]

5. I hear you

Seems like MLB caters way too much to the casual fan sometimes.

[SheltieLover]

7. Yup!

What's the big push to speed the games up?

[rownesheck]

8. Baseball needs to speed up

Maybe cut the game down to 6 innings.

NFL could use some speeding up too. Quit stopping the clock every time a pass is incomplete.

Oh, and NBA! Every few seconds it seems I hear TWEET! Stop the clock because a foul happened. Just keep the clock running!

Ain't nobody got time for 3 1/2 hour games anymore! We got stuff to do!

[Auggie]

9. Be bold -- three innings, tops. Reduce strikes -- two is an out.

Foul balls are boring too — make them automatic outs. Ground balls — automatic outs — no need to field and throw to a base (that would save important seconds). Really want to speed up the game? Eliminate the pitcher position and use pitching machines. Ban the stolen base and bunt (small ball takes too long — besides, it’s for sissies).

[icymist]

16. Just flip a coin! Imagine all the time and money that would save!

No need to pay out millions to players! Hell, no need for players at all! Or expensive stadiums! Just have the manager from both teams come onstage and an umpire flips a coin to decide who wins. Hey, if it's good enough for deciding overtime football...

[SheltieLover]

10. That's crazy!

Record the game if no time.

[Mr.Bill]

11. That's what I do.

Fast forwarding through the commercials cuts about half an hour off the game. I start watching 30 minutes after the first pitch and end up at the end watching close to real time.

If I'm at the game, I have no desire to speed it up. I have to drive three hours to get there, spend well over $100 for tickets and parking and I enjoy being there. I can only afford it about twice a year. Why would I want it to end sooner?

[ProfessorGAC]

15. I Totally Disagree

Games take 51 minutes longer now than in 1980, and that was 12 minutes longer than 1960.
It's the same 9 inning game.
People have examined commercial time in 1980 & now. 3.2 minutes per hour.
So, we've accounted for 7 or 8 minutes. Out of 51.
The other 43 minutes of watching hitters adjust gloves (often without even swinging at the prior pitch: & they're wearing $180 batting gloves; how much adjusting is needed?). Pitchers shaking off 5 signs. Hitters stepping out to get signals from the bench instead of from the base coach.
There is no added fan experience derived from all that wasted time. Nobody goes to the game to watch stall tactics.
The price of the game is irrelevant. Major sports became made for TV decades ago. When a game draws 40,000 people, 40 times that are watching on TV. At least. And TV ratings are falling.
And, it costs nothing extra to watch the game on television.
The game needs to be sped up.

[HUAJIAO]

6. OH, no ! What is this obsession with 'if technology works,' why gosh darn, let's use it.

"It doesn’t call balls and strikes, the umpires still do that."

Not yet... but you just wait........
Coming to a team near you.

[Drum]

12. Such intrusions might mean simply that proponents should splinter off into another game...

Think, arena football. Those who want a brisk game should do that, and leave some things alone, eh?

Consider also, baseball’s cousin CRICKET…snipping from google search results ie “cricket match duration”:

People also ask
How many hours is a cricket match?
Test matches are typically played over 5 days. Four innings are normally played in a test match where each team bats and bowls twice. Each day's play is typically 6 hours long with at least 90 overs bowled.

[milestogo]

13. I think a robotic pitcher is certainly in order.

[TxGuitar]

14. They could use Apple watches

the Red Sox know all about that tech.

[kairos12]

17. I heard the audible sound the players will hear

imitates someone banging on a garbage can. Can't confirm this.

[Diamond_Dog]

18. LOL