Some Phillies pitchers and catchers will communicate in a new way in 2022.
Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers will have new technology at their disposal — which will be available as early as Opening Day this Friday against the Oakland Athletics.
Aimed to prevent opponents from stealing signs while speeding up the game, the Phillies are reportedly among the teams willing to use PitchCom. J.T. Realmuto and other Phillies catchers will use the wearable forearm sleeve device that can transmit a signal to the pitcher.
The traditional “dropping fingers” and “shaking off” methods of communicating between pitches are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
PitchCom was experimentally used at the Single-A level in 2021, as well as in big-league camps this spring. While the technology is optional, Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin is already a fan. According to The Athletic‘s Matt Gelb, Eflin used it during his recent spring training start and plans to continue using it in the regular season. Gelb adds:
"“Some Phillies pitchers and catchers have been testing PitchCom this spring and many of them really like it.”"
This is what PitchCom looks like: catcher wears transmitter on his wrist, pitcher wears receiver in his cap. https://t.co/R2BqGSkVbG pic.twitter.com/WKqpEqVzhi
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 5, 2022
The wearable device resembles a remote control and has nine buttons — allowing catchers to transmit to the pitcher a desired pitch and location. The pitcher and up to three other fielders will receive the transmission via a device in their caps.
It is expected that the middle infielders — second base and shortstop — and centerfielder would be the likely position players to wear the device so they can adjust their field position, as needed.
MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince reports:
"“An encrypted channel can be used in multiple languages, and teams can also program in code words to replace pitch names such as ‘fastball’ or ‘curveball.’ …With PitchCom, the communication between catcher is more seamless and straightforward. The technology can also conceivably reduce the number of mound visits in which pitchers and catchers go over signs."
ESPN’s Marly Rivera notes that teams can program PitchCom with a robotic digital voice and/or a customized digital recording. Gelb noted that Realmuto has recorded his voice to communicate pitches through PitchCom.
But, how cool would it be to have someone famous tell Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Eflin and other Phillies pitchers as to what their next pitch should be? If only the legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas was still around to lend his voice once again.