KBO gives teams new pitch-calling devices approved for immediate use

The South Korean baseball league announced Monday it has provided its clubs with new devices for calling pitches without needing traditional finger signals, saying they have been approved for use beginning this week. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said its 10 clubs and their minor league affiliates each received on Monday three PitchCom transmitters for calling pitches and 12 receivers for hearing the pitch call. The KBO also briefed team representatives on PitchCom use. Teams are able to use them immediately starting with Tuesday's games, though the technology is optional. Major League Baseball (MLB) began using PitchCom in 2022. By eliminating the need for catchers to give finger signs to pitchers, PitchCom is aimed at both speeding up games and preventing opponents from stealing signs. Representatives from 10 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) clubs attend a briefing on the use of PitchCom technology at the KBO headquarters in Seoul on July 15, 2024, in this photo provided by the KBO. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) The transmitter comes with nine buttons for calling pitches and their location. The catcher may put the remote control-like device on their forearm or knee. The pitcher, the catcher and up to three other fielders can wear the receiver inside their caps. The pitcher may also wear the transmitter to call his own pitches -- either in their glove or on their forearm. In MLB, pitchers wear it on their belt. The KBO said PitchCom may not be used in the dugout or in the bullpen. This photo provided by the Korea Baseball Organization on July 15, 2024, shows a PitchCom set, made up of three signal transmitters and 12 receivers. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) According to the KBO, teams' general managers suggested the adoption of PitchCom this season at an earlier meeting, and the league officials briefed general managers and skippers during the recent All-Star break on the use of the technology. The KBO has adopted many of the same changes that MLB has undertaken in recent years. Just as MLB h as done, the KBO has banned infield shifts, enlarged the bases and has now brought PitchCom into the mix. For this season, the KBO also sought to introduce the pitch clock, which limits the amount of time a pitcher has before throwing the ball. The initial plan was to do a test run during the first half of the season and enforce the clock in the second half. In the face of strong opposition from all teams, the KBO decided to adopt the pitch clock starting in 2025. Source: Yonhap News Agency