Matheny, KC fans of new pitch-calling device

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- On Saturday in Florida, Rays catcher Mike Zunino used a piece of technology that allowed him to electronically send signs to pitcher Phoenix Sanders. It’s a pitch-calling system developed by PitchCom that could help improve the pace of play and eliminate illegal sign-stealing, and it received rave reviews from the few that have used it in Port Charlotte, Fla.

The system is beginning to make its way around other Major League organizations. Minor Leaguers tested the system in the Single-A California League last summer, but Saturday was the first time Major Leaguers used it in a game.

When Royals manager Mike Matheny was asked about it on Sunday morning, he pointed to a black briefcase in his office.

“We’ve got it right here,” Matheny said. “Actually, it’s part of the conversation today. … I’m a fan. And I never in a million years thought I would be.”

The Royals are intrigued by the technology and see the benefit, but they haven’t used it in a game. First, Matheny wanted to understand it himself, ask questions and troubleshoot any issues.

During Sunday morning’s workouts, Matheny introduced it to a few young pitchers and catchers, including lefty reliever Jake Brentz during his bullpen session. Matheny handed catcher Kale Emshoff the PitchCom transmitter, and Emshoff attached it to a sleeve on his forearm. The transmitter looks like a remote control, with black buttons that correspond to pitches and locations.

Both Brentz and Emshoff had a 6-inch long, rubbery receiver inside their cap and helmet, respectively, and when Emshoff pressed a button, everyone who had a receiver heard a generic male voice say which pitch was called. During a bullpen, pitchers tell the catchers what pitch is going to be thrown, so when Brentz told Emshoff the pitch, Emshoff pushed the correlating buttons to “call” the pitch.

In a game, the catcher would press the button corresponding to the pitch he wanted, and the pitcher would either agree or shake it off. By pressing and holding down a button, the catcher can go beyond signaling a pitch type and call the locations -- “fastball in,” or “curveball down and away.”

There could be up to five people on the field with receivers -- the pitcher and catcher, the two middle infielders and the center fielder. That helps the defense make pre-pitch adjustments it normally would with cue cards.

“I thought it was really cool,” Emshoff said. “It’s going to take some getting used to. But once you get used to it, it’ll make it a lot easier. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. It’s better than an earpiece. I absolutely think it’ll help, though.”

The potential benefits include reducing sign stealing and improving pace of play; with a voice telling players what pitch is coming, they don’t have to constantly look at their cards or meet on the mound to switch up the signs.

There might be pushback from pitchers and catchers who still want to see signs, and Matheny mentioned that there’s a competitive advantage to a catcher who can hold several sign sets for different pitchers. But overall, he was all for the device.

“I hate technology taking away something that someone has worked really hard for,” Matheny said. “But the way the game’s going, and where we are right now, this makes sense to me.”

After the Royals are finished testing the devices, Matheny will likely begin to talk to his everyday players about it, including catcher Salvador Perez, and the starting pitchers. There still must be “buy in” from the players, Matheny said, but there’s a chance the Royals could try it out in Cactus League games.

“I can sit there and tell you, 'I think it’s the greatest thing since Abner Doubleday decided nine people should be on the field,' but it doesn’t make any sense if they don’t buy in,” Matheny said. “I wanted to make sure that I had a good sense of it. … To me, it’ll help them.”

Olivares walks it off

Edward Olivares delivered the Royals’ first Spring Training win with a walk-off double against the D-backs, making hard contact on a ball and sending it to the left-center field wall for an 11-10 victory at Surprise Stadium. The outfielder is noticeably stronger this spring after he focused on adding muscle in the offseason.

“A lot of physical work,” Oliveras said through interpreter Luis Perez. “A lot of work in the weight room. I wanted to increase muscle mass, and that pairs up with hitting as well. I feel a lot stronger.”

It’s noticeable not just when he’s walking around the complex, but also when he’s making contact.

“We’ve talked about that, whether guys physically look much different, and he’s one guy who did stand out a little bit,” Matheny said. “The long season, being on the train back and forth to Omaha a lot, those sort of things wear on you a bit. And some of the guys trying to get used to what the Major League season demand is and how long it can be. He took advantage of [the offseason].”

Power on display

The Royals took advantage of a windy day in Surprise with home runs from Michael A. Taylor, Salvador Perez and Emmanuel Rivera, all blasting their spring firsts.

Taylor’s came in the third inning and Perez’s in the fourth, a no-doubter on top of the Kansas City bullpen. Rivera hit a three-run bomb in the fifth to straightaway center and he later tied the game at 10 with a line-drive single to right field in the eighth inning.

“We have guys with that kind of power,” Matheny said. “Nice to see Salvy fill the box. Always good to see him get going. Got to take advantage of Arizona Spring Training and days like today. Hit the ball in the air and take your chances.”