The days of catchers using old-fashioned finger signals to communicate with pitchers on the mound may soon be gone. Before the regular season started last week, Major League Baseball announced that all 30 teams are allowed to use a new electronic pitch-signaling device, in an effort to deter sign-stealing and prevent another cheating scandal, a la the Houston Astros.
Baseball's approved system, known as PitchCom, can be attached to sleeves or wristbands that catchers wear. With the press of a button, they'll be able to select pitch type and location, and that information is then sent directly to the pitcher, wearing a listening device. PitchCom received positive reviews during spring training, and Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz likes its potential to curb cheating and the improve MLB's ongoing pace of play issues.
"I like it, and I think it's going to help speed the game up. I'm all for whatever that scenario is," Smoltz told the Maggie and Perloff show on Friday. "Twenty years ago, I wish it'd be the other way -- I think the pitcher should be able to signal to the catcher what he wants to throw. But I understand the dynamics of what we're dealing with today.
"Pitchers don't call games, for the most part. But if you really want to eliminate any kind of lag, or any kind of situation where you're wondering what kind of sign is coming, you should have the pitcher signal to the catcher. And that's going to be quick, because there's no shaking off, at that point."
In January 2020, Houston was disciplined by MLB after its investigation found that they used electronics to steal signs during their 2017 title season and run to the ALCS in 2018. To decode the catchers' signals, they used a center-field video feed during home games at Minute Maid Park, and then players banged on a dugout trashcan to let batters know what type of pitch was coming.
Although no Astros players were punished -- MLB commissioner Rob Manfred granted immunity during their investigation -- manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were each suspended for one season, and then fired in the fallout. MLB also fined the team $5 million, and docked four draft picks.
The entire MLB conversation between Smoltz and Maggie and Perloff can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Maggie and Perloff Show on Twitter @MaggieandPerl and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.