It’s extremely valuable to have problem-solving capabilities at your disposal, but that luxury is of no use, if you don’t know how to spot a problem in the first place. You see, there are times when we don’t even know what’s wrong with the existing picture. Such a dynamic keeps us from progressing, thus causing our potential to go down the drain. Now, fortunately enough, humans have grown more and more aware of this particular problem, and to solve it, we have conceived some great ideas along the way. While all these ideas kind of bring their own unique perspective on our concern, none have managed to be as impactful as technology. Technology stands out big time here, because unlike any other concept, it doesn’t just look to impose a certain ideology on us. Instead, the creation is renowned to tailor itself according to our needs, therefore creating a much better shot at success than we ever had before. Surely, it has solved many longstanding problems around the human spectrum, but technology’s greatest achievement resides firmly within the manner in which it brought gazillion hidden issues to the surface. In fact, it is still doing the same, and MLB’s latest decision does everything to back the claim up.
Major League Baseball has officially approved a pitch signaling system that is designed to curb the possibility of anyone stealing your signs during the game. For years, baseball catchers have signaled pitches with their fingers, giving the opposing team a bird’s eye view of their tactics. However, assuming the new system ends up working under real-world setting, it will dramatically enhance the privacy, and consequentially, the fairness element. Named as PitchCom, the setup works alongside usual communication devices i.e. transmitters and receivers. The catcher is supposed to use it to identify stuff like pitch type and location. This information is then sent to the pitcher, who’ll hear it through what is a bone conduction device. Notably enough, the communication channels are fully encrypted, and if teams are still a little doubtful, they can even program code words to replace typical baseball jargon.
“I think it can be beneficial when it comes to August, September and October and you’re pushing towards the playoffs, with all the scouts in the stands and eyes on you trying to decipher what you’re throwing,” said Dallas Keuchel, Chicago White Sox pitcher. “It’ll be nice not to have to go through several sets of signs.”
According to the Associated Press, MLB is providing every team with three transmitters, ten receivers, and a charging case for the system. Teams can use upto one transmitter and five receivers at any given time. Beyond catchers and pitchers, a total of three fielders can also be a part of the loop. The league’s guidelines strongly convey that a team should use PitchCom only on the field and not in dugouts, bullpens or clubhouses.
Even though it’s totally optional as of now, nearly half of MLB teams have expressed interest in using the device. Some players have already tested it, and their reviews have been largely positive. With MLB gearing up to integrate PitchCom, the creators behind it are actively working on an even better version. Going by the available details, it will have visual indicators of pitch calls, and it is expected to be available next year.