Ryu Hyun-jin of the Hanwha Eagles returned to the KBO this season after 11 years in the major leagues.
“What about PitchCom?” was his first reaction when he heard about the Major League Baseball’s pitch clock pilot program.
It is a communication device that allows pitchers and catchers to mechanically exchange signatures. It is a prerequisite for the implementation of pitch clock, which reduces the time it takes for players on the field to exchange signatures.
The pitchcom consists of a transmitter to type the signs and a receiver to hear them.
The transmitter has nine buttons that are pressed in sequence to enter a preset pitch type and pitch position, which is then audibly transmitted to the receiver. The transmitter can only be worn by pitchers or catchers. For pitchers, the transmitter is worn on the wrist using a glove or protector. For catchers, it can be worn on the wrist, knee, or anywhere else you choose.
Receivers wear it on the inside of their hat. In addition to the pitcher and catcher, up to three other players on the field can wear the device, and it cannot be used in the dugout or bullpen.Despite the need, Pitchcom has been delayed for a variety of complicated reasons, including radio certification issues and unit costs.
At the start of the second half of the season,
The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) finally received a set of pitchcams and began distributing them to each club, as the KBO Executive Committee, 안전놀이터 a participatory body of club managers, insisted on the need. The KBO announced that it “distributed PitchCom sets to each club on the 15th and held a briefing session for club representatives to guide them on how to use them, regulations, and more. The introduction and use of Pitchcom was explained at the All-Star Game manager’s meeting. The KBO completed full certification for the use of Pitchcom on the 1st.
Pitchcom will be available for use in KBO League and Futures League games starting on the 16th. Each set consists of three transmitters and 12 receivers, and one set will be delivered to every KBO League and Futures League team.
Pitchcom is expected to make it possible for the defense team to exchange autographs smoothly during the game, which will shorten the game time and make it more enjoyable for fans to watch the game.
The KBO plans to closely analyze the results of the operation, including the impact of PitchCom on the game through communication with the field, and use it to design Korean pitch clock regulations.
