NEW YORK (AP) — In a move ending a more than 150-year tradition, Major League Baseball authorized catchers to use an electronic device to signal fields in an effort to eliminate sign-stealing and speed games.
Since the early days of baseball in the 19th century, catchers have used their fingers to signal the type of field and its intended location.
As video at baseball fields increased in the 21st century, so did sign theft — and concerns about how teams were attempting to steal signals. The Houston Astros were penalized for using a camera and hitting a trash can during their run to the 2017 World Series title to alert their batters to pitch guys.
“It basically eliminates the need to create a signing system for a catcher making signs,” MLB chief operations and strategy officer Chris Marinak said Tuesday. “You literally just push a button and it transmits the pitch call to the pitcher. And what we’ve seen so far really improves the pace of the game.”
A few teams tried the system in spring training, including Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa and New York Yankees’ Aaron Boone, who said they liked what they saw.
Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka has used it a few times this spring practice, including Tuesday with pitcher Michael King against Detroit in New York’s final exhibition game.
“There are still some things we need to work through, but I think resiliency is always just signaling. So it’s always there when we need it. We’re working out all the kinks right now. When we encounter stumbling blocks in the game, we can always make a mark. I’m not overly concerned that it might be confusing,” he said.
“I like that. Today I signed to King for the first time because I didn’t have a chance to talk to him about it, so I started looking into it. So I just decided to sign, and that has works well,” he said.
MLB provides each team with three transmitters, ten receivers and a charging case for the PitchCom Pitcher Catcher communication device. It is available in English and Spanish.
“A maximum of five receivers and one transmitter may be used at any given time,” MLB wrote Tuesday in a five-page memorandum to general managers, assistant GMs, managers and equipment managers, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
A catcher has nine options on his wrist device: “four stitches high inside, curve high middle, slider high outside, change middle inside, sinker middle, cutter middle outside, splinter low inside, ankle low middle, two seams low outside.”
A thin band that slips into a cap allows the audio to be heard at an adjustable level intended for pitchers, second basemen, shortstops and center fielders.
“When changing pitchers, the manager must provide a receiver for the replacement pitcher,” the memo said.
Receivers and transmitters may only be used on the field of play and may not be operated in clubhouses, dugouts or bullpens during games.
“Signals transmitted via PitchCom may only be given by the catcher in play. Signals must not be sent from the dugout, bullpen, another player on the field, or anywhere else,” the memo said. “Clubs are responsible for their PitchCom devices. Any club that loses a transmitter or receiver will be charged a replacement fee of $5,000 per unit.”
Marinak said about half of MLB’s 30 clubs have expressed interest.
“I’m not sure every team will use it,” Marinak said during MLB’s third annual Innovation and Fan Engagement Showcase. “I think that’s kind of a personal preference.”
Union boss Tony Clark pointed out that the devices are not mandatory.
“It was important to allow players the flexibility to use — or not use — the technology as they see fit,” the former All-Star first baseman said in a statement. “The guys on the pitch are in the best position to decide individually if it’s right for them.”
Players are no longer allowed to watch in-game video replays on clubhouse televisions, only viewing videos on iPads controlled by the MLB Bureau. The video only updates at the end of each half inning and players can go back and play it again, but may not see content during a running half inning.
“Players don’t have access to technology beyond what we offer in terms of in-game videos,” Marinak said. “We also monitor all traffic flow so we understand what content is being pushed to the iPad.”
The new system of umpires using microphones to explain video ratings to fans began Monday night with an exhibition game at Dodger Stadium. MLB also now captures video from 104 out of 120 minor league baseball stadiums
Computer Plate Umpires’ automated ball/strike system is used at 10 Triple-A West parks, Charlotte at Triple-A East and Low-A Southeast. MLB intends to illustrate calls on stadium scoreboards.
Pitch clocks will be used in all minor league stadiums, likely as a prelude to their installation in big league stadiums for 2023.
MLB showed off its new 1,400-square-foot Replay Operations Center in Midtown Manhattan, which opened just as COVID-19 struck in 2020, replacing a 900-square-foot facility in SoHo that had been in use since 2014.
There are 90 professional 46-inch monitors and 60 24-inch touchscreen monitors in the 31 x 29 foot room, with three six-screen desks behind for supervisors and administrators, then two more rows of technicians.
According to Chris Zagorski, vice president of replay operations and technology, MLB records 18 cameras from each ballpark showing 60 frames per second, plus up to four high-speed cameras at 360 to 480 frames per second.
In the event of a power outage in New York, there is a backup replay center in San Francisco. An on-site replay room will be set up for special occasion games such as in Dyersville, Iowa, Williamsport, Pennsylvania and London.
Marinak said the number of fans using the MLB Ballpark app to enter stadiums with electronic tickets has increased from 3% in 2017 to 19% in 2019 to 56% in 2021.
MLB also said the earliest helmet ads would appear in the 2022 postseason. The players agreed on uniform and helmet advertising last month, and shirt advertising will not begin until 2023 at the earliest.
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AP freelance writer Mark Didtler contributed to this report.
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