KT catcher Jang Seong-woo, wearing it on his right knee and covering it with a mitt
KT catcher Jang Seong-woo uses pitchcom
Among the 10 professional baseball teams, KT Wiz was the first to wear Pitchcom in an actual game.
The KT team announced ahead of the game against Kiwoom Heroes held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 16th, “A total of five players, including starting pitcher Wes Benjamin, catcher, second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder, will wear the equipment.”
The Pitch Comp, developed to quickly exchange signals between pitchers and catchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), is a necessary piece of equipment for the pitch clock, which is scheduled to be officially introduced in the KBO League next year.
PitchCom can transmit preset pitch types and pitch locations by operating nine buttons, saving time in exchanging signals between pitchers and catchers during the game.
Additionally, the defense can prevent the offense from exposing its signs.
On the 15th, the KBO office held a briefing session for club officials on how to use the pitchcom and the rules.
Since Peachcom does not have a domestic manufacturer, it was imported entirely from the United States, and radio certification was completed on the 1st.
The KBO office provided two sets of pitch comps (1st and 2nd teams) to each team, and each team was left to decide whether to use them.
Ahead of the game, KT manager Lee Kang-cheol said, “I’ve never actually seen PitchCom, but Benjamin, who is starting today, said he used it when he was playing in Triple-A in the United States. If our players say it’s okay, we’ll let them use it right away.”
Benjamin, who checked the pitchcom with catcher Jang Seong-woo in the bullpen ahead of the game, told the team that he would use it right away.
In fact, KT catcher Jang Seong-woo, who came out to the game wearing a pitchcom, used it to send a sign to pitcher Benjamin.
Jang Seong-woo, who was wearing a pitchcom transmitter on his right knee pad, covered his right knee with the mitt he wore on his left hand and pressed the button with his right hand.
Thanks to PitchCom, KT Benjamin continued to pitch at a fast tempo.
Kiwoom, KT’s opposing team, decided to suspend the use of PitchCom.
Hong Won-ki, Kiwoom Heroes manager, said, “I first experienced it in the US during spring camp. However, using it during training and playing in a real game are different. I will try it during training first and if the players say it’s okay, I will start using it from then.”
On this day, the Gwangju (Samsung Lions-KIA Tigers), Jamsil (SSG Landers-LG Twins), and Changwon (Hanwha Eagles-NC Dinos) games were canceled due to rain, so only the Gocheok and Ulsan games will be held.
The Lotte Giants and Doosan Bears, two teams playing in Ulsan, announced that they have no plans to use PitchCom today. 토토사이트