This year, MLB has implemented a solution for sign-stealing by allowing a device for catchers to wear on their glove hand called PitchCom, which will help them transmit the pitch suggestion and location to the pitcher, who will receive the “sign” through a listening device.
In light of the recent sign-stealing scandals of the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox, this is a welcome solution to the problem.
Many around the game believe it will curb sign-stealing all together.
Former relief pitcher Jerry Blevins seems to think so as well, tweeting that the PitchCom is necessary so that players don’t have to create multiple sets of signs and spreadsheets for each pitcher.
I think the PitchCom is a necessity. Sign stealing is a problem. It also creates more problems with players having to create multiple sets of signs and spreadsheets for each pitcher. Delays and mound visits etc. Bring on the tech!
— Jerry Blevins (@jerryblevins) April 6, 2022
“Bring On The Tech!”
Blevins is spot on here.
This could help speed up the game a little bit, as it would reduce the need for mound visits, which plays a huge part in the game becoming progressively slower.
It would also make it nearly impossible for teams to intercept signs.
While stealing signs has always been a part of the game, doing so with the use of technology is illegal and that is where the problem lies, so to have an anti-sign-stealing device is a perfect counter to that.
No longer do teams have to worry about the opposition gaining access to their signs and then banging on a trash can to relay the signs to the hitter.
It will be interesting to see how this works and what it could do not only to curb sign-stealing, but also speed up the pace of the game.
As Blevins said in his tweet, “Bring on the tech!”
It’s about time we see technology used the right way in baseball.
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