ARLINGTON, Texas — When you watched Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen pitch in Game 1 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, did you ever ask yourself what the device that looked like a TV remote on the back of his glove was?
That remote is a piece of new technology in baseball called 'PitchCom' that was used by every team in Major League Baseball this season and was co-invented by a man from right here in Arizona!
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Craig Filcetti, who lives in Scottsdale, is the co-owner of PitchCom Sports.
He and his partner, John Hankins, created the PitchCom device in the wake of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal in 2017.
It is comprised of a transmitter, worn by either the pitcher or catcher and receivers worn by the pitcher or catcher and three other fielders.
The transmitter has nine buttons on it, and the order in which they are pressed will send a signal to the receivers. A message will then come out that says what pitch has been called and the location, like "Changeup, high and outside."
"It's actually a pre-recorded voice signal," Filcetti said. "And they can make it say anything that they want. They can use it in multiple languages. So there's really no chance of misinterpreting what's being said."
Some pitchers, like Gallen, like to call pitches themselves, as it can help with the new pitch clock, which is why the transmitter is on Gallen's glove. This is also why D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno can be seen wearing an earpiece during games.
Other pitchers prefer to have the catcher call the pitches, which is why they will have receivers in their hats. The technology is not perfect, so if you ever see a pitcher holding something up to his ear, that is likely because his PitchCom receiver is not working and he cannot hear the calls.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.
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