PitchCom Fails, Causing a Balk Call in Chicago When Mets Pitcher Senga Separates Hands

Baseball's PitchCom system malfunctioned in Chicago as Mets pitcher Kodai Senga stood on the mound to face Cubs batter Nico Hoerner, resulting in a balk call from 3B Umpire Rob Drake when Senga tried to reset. Report: https://www.closecallsports.com/2023/...

In 2023, pitchers are allowed to use PitchCom in order to communicate to the catcher what pitch they wish to throw. Earlier in the inning, a coach from New York's dugout came out with a spare PitchCom unit because Senga and catcher Francisco Alvarez were having communication problems.

The issue momentarily fixed, it surfaced against as Senga engaged the rubber and prepared to throw a 0-2 pitch to Hoerner. Because Senga wears his PitchCom device on his belt, he uses his throwing hand (while holding the ball) to press the PitchCom buttons and brings his glove hand in to cover the signs he is inputting.

This makes it look like Senga has thus brought his hands together and come set, which, with runner(s) on base is important to note. Sensing that the PitchCom had failed again, Senga separated and dropped his hands to his side to try and reset, but with runner(s) this is a balk for separating one's hand and failing to pitch or throw over to a base.

Mets manager Buck Showalter quickly argued with Drake to no avail.

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