Rockies, Blach debut PitchCom tech in live game

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies became the latest Major League team to experiment with PitchCom -- the system that can call pitches through an encrypted system that can eliminate sign-stealing and make the process smoother and faster.

Rockies director of pitching operations Steve Foster is all for it.

“It has great possibilities,” Foster said. “Anything that can help the pitcher get the sign without anyone knowing what the sign is, we’re moving in the right direction.”

The Rockies took baby steps in Wednesday’s 8-4 loss to the Royals. Catcher Dom Nu?ez, pitcher Ty Blach and the Rockies’ middle infielders planned on using it just when there was a runner on second base. Turns out it was for one pitch, but the Rockies have been using it extensively in live batting practice, bullpen sessions and Minor League games at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

The system -- which was tested in Class A in 2021, will be used again in the Minors this year and is being evaluated for eventual Major League use based on feedback -- is drawing raves. Two veteran stars -- catcher Salvador Perez and pitcher Zach Greinke -- used it Wednesday, and Greinke is a fan.

“Tried it, and I liked a lot of it,” Greinke said. “We’re just going to practice some more. I think I’m going to use it when the season comes. I think it could speed [up] the game if used properly. Speed up pitch calling. Not positive on that, but that’s the hope.”

Part of the value of testing, however, is figuring out potential hiccups. To that end, Wednesday was valuable for the Rockies.

In Nu?ez’s normal sign stance, he places his left wrist on his left knee -- a perfectly effective way of using his glove to prevent signs from being stolen from the third-base side. The problem was that pressing his forearm against his left knee triggered some of the buttons and created confusion.

“Considering I’ve used it, maybe, 10 minutes before today’s game, I’m going to practice with it on my own and get the buttons figured out,” Nu?ez said.

Nu?ez, though, is excited not to have to remember so many sign sequence codes with his fingers.

“What if we’re going strikes plus one with this guy and outs plus one with the next?” Nu?ez said. “I can get a little confused.”

The technology could improve pace of play and reduce sign-stealing. In turn, it can prevent the bitter controversies and subsequent punishments that come with illegal use of technology to crack opponents’ signs. Also, it could eliminate the sign-switches, step-offs and mound visits that often occur when a team worries about an opposing runner at second base.

“If it’s there and available and makes fans happy, why not?” said catcher Brian Serven, who played at Triple-A Albuquerque last year and has used PitchCom for multiple live batting practice sessions.

The Rockies’ in-game experiment wasn’t much. It was for all of one pitch. Perez flied to center in the third inning. But the back fields at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick have been a productive pitch-calling petri dish.

Here’s how it works:

The catcher wears a control unit in a wristband. Think of it as a video-game console: it has a series of buttons he can use for pitch type, location and even controls of the running game such as pickoffs or pitchouts.

Whatever button he touches triggers a voice signal in a receiver worn in the pitcher’s cap, or that of the fielders. The monotone voice can be in English or Spanish, and is quiet enough that an opponent can’t hear.

How it could speed up a game was apparent.

Righty reliever Carlos Estévez threw a pitch and even before he had climbed back to the mound, Serven had punched the button. Estévez shook his head, and Serven punched in something new.

Estévez’s challenge is between working quickly and hurrying.

“It made me work quicker, because that as the first time -- I didn’t know how to react to getting the sign so early,” Estévez explained.