Baseball’s Infamous Scandal Inspired Its Biggest Tech Breakthrough...And Changed the Game Forever - John Hankins, Co-Inventor & Owner of PitchCom

With sign-stealing scandals shaking Major League Baseball, the game needed a solution. Enter PitchCom, the cutting-edge communication technology that’s changing the way baseball is played.

In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with John Hankins, co-inventor and owner of PitchCom, to unpack the surprising origins of the technology (it was inspired by John's stage mentalism experience!), the innovative and unhackable tech that comprises the PitchCom system, and why it has completely changed the game of baseball. 

Beyond baseball, PitchCom is a case study in applied technology—how engineering, wireless communication, encryption, and even sound design can be used in unexpected ways. The lesson for educators? What your students learn in the technical education classroom—electronics, software, mechanics, and problem-solving—can lead to groundbreaking inventions in any arena.

Listen to learn:

• How stage mentalism, sound engineering, and encryption tech came together to create PitchCom
• How PitchCom reduced wild pitches to the lowest levels in MLB history and sped up game play by cutting down time lost to sign-calling
• Why PitchCom’s encryption is so secure that it’s mathematically impossible for teams to hack—more secure than the number of atoms in the universe
• How engineering students can apply their skills in creative industries—from sports tech to entertainment and beyond
• Why college baseball, the Canadian Football League, and even scuba diving are exploring this technology
• What future inventors need to know about turning ideas into patented, market-ready products

If you teach technical education or have students interested in technology, this episode is a must-listen. The next big innovation could come from your classroom!

3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:

1. Innovation thrives in times of urgency and challenge.

PitchCom wasn’t just a cool idea—it was a solution to a crisis in baseball. The Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal created an undeniable need for secure communication, and John Hankins applied existing technology in a new way to fill that gap. Great inventions don’t start with ideas—they start with problems.

2. True innovation comes from blending different disciplines.

John’s background as an engineer, patent attorney, and stage mentalist gave him a unique perspective on communication and encryption. Whether it’s combining sports and tech, or magic and engineering, the biggest breakthroughs come from crossing industry boundaries and thinking outside traditional silos.

3. Data is the future of every industry.

PitchCom started as a tool to prevent sign-stealing, but now it’s unlocking new levels of player performance data—tracking pitch accuracy, command, and strategy in real time. From sports to manufacturing to education, those who understand and leverage real-time data insights will lead the future.

Resources in this Episode:

To learn more about PitchCom's technology, visit: pitchcom.com

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