Twins Testing PitchCom System

[Seth Stohs]

From Phil Miller, today the Twins - specifically Bailey Ober and Gary Sanchez - tested a new PitchCom system designed to keep teams from stealing signs. 

https://www.startribune.com/technology-to-stop-sign-stealing-gets-tested-by-twins/600160469/ 

Quote

Gary Sanchez looked at his wrist, pressed a button, and got into a crouch as he waited for a pitch. On the mound, Bailey Ober heard a prerecorded, disembodied voice say into his ear: "Fastball, inside."

So what do you think? I'm not a fan of the obvious nature of the college technology worn around their belts. This is, as I'm just hearing about it, pretty simple, pretty noninvasive. 

[Squirrel]

Could anyone hack into the system and pick up the signals? I don’t know enough about the technology, so just asking in case others would know 

[DJL44]

15 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Could anyone hack into the system and pick up the signals? I don’t know enough about the technology, so just asking in case others would know 

Yes. Could they hack into it, decode it and send a message to the batter in time to be useful? Doubtful.

[Nine of twelve]

I've said this before - there has to be a system for pitch calling (and, for that matter, coaches signaling to the batter and runner(s) that would make successful sign stealing almost impossible. Among other things, indicator signs and sign sequences can be changed with each batter or even each pitch. There may be a few cross-ups here and there but if players pay attention that should be rare.

[ashbury]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Yes. Could they hack into it, decode it and send a message to the batter in time to be useful? Doubtful.

Better ban trash barrels from each of the dugouts, just to be safe.