It’s the standard routine. Collecting the ball from the catcher as he strides back to the mound to reset, the pitcher takes his place on the rubber and looks in to receive the signs. The painted nails behind the plate give him direction before he comes set to fire in his next pitch. If a change is needed, the signs are repeated, or time is called as the catcher runs up to the mound to discuss the next options.
This season, the routine has been noticeably different. Gone are the painted nails and recurring mound visits. Instead, a new technology system has come to take its place: PitchCom.