The 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 커뮤니티 pitchers, PitchCom is aimed at both speeding up games and preventing opponents from stealing signs.
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.
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.