Sports signaling system

Abstract

A secure system for encrypting sports signals that provides a high level of security, effectively rendering sign stealing efforts useless. Two embodiments for baseball pitch-signaling are disclosed that both adhere to major league baseball guidelines. In one embodiment, a wearable mechanical wrist-mounted device akin to a watch is disclosed with conventional wristband and lug, with dual ratcheted bezels or crowns. During the game both the pitcher and catcher wear identical devices. The catcher uses the device to encrypt each pitch type and pitch location and then signals the pitcher with the encrypted hand signs. The pitcher decrypts the desired pitch and location through the hand signals by reference to the device. Another embodiment is disclosed in the form of an electronic smartwatch. Both embodiments allow players to securely and efficiently communicate pitch type and pitch location via hand signs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 610,854 filed 15 Dec. 2023.BACKGROUNDa. Field of Invention

[0002] The invention relates to signaling and, more particularly, to an encrypted method for communicating baseball pitch signals.b. Background of the Invention

[0003] In order to keep the pitch type secret, baseball catchers do not verbally communicate pitch selection to the pitcher, rather they do it through a series of hand signals. The signals are determined in advance, and common signs for basic pitches include the following:One⁢ Finger=Fast⁢ BallTwo⁢ Fingers=Curve⁢ BallThree⁢ Fingers=SliderFour⁢ Fingers⁢ and / or⁢ Wiggle⁢ Fingers=Change⁢ Up.

[0004] The foregoing is an example of the simplest encryption scheme, constant encoding, which uses a function that relates a unique sign to each pitch type. However, constant encoding only reliably gives security the first time a unique sign is communicated. After that, it provides no security. Consequently, it is not uncommon for the batter to watch for pitch signs, or for a runner on second base to relay the signs to the batter. These methods of sign stealing are legal and preventable. To prevent them, catchers simply hide and often change their signs. However, it is illegal to pursue sign stealing using mechanical or electronic technology to steal and / or communicate the signs. Nevertheless, illegal sign stealing has become an institutional endeavor. The Philadelphia Phillies used binoculars and a telegraph in the late 1800s, and the New York Giants used a telescope in the 1950s. In 2017 the Yankees used an Apple Watch™ to communicate signs and, more recently, the 2017 Houston Astros were accused of using technology to illegally steal their opponents' signs and relay them to their hitters. During the 2017 regular season and postseason, the Astros are alleged to have used the following sign-stealing system: they would have a camera in center field that would relay images of the catchers' signs to a computer program, called Codebreaker, that would then decipher the hand signals. When the catcher displayed a sign, an Astros employee would bang a trash can a certain number of times to inform the hitter of the pitch type. Codebreaker consistently deciphered catchers' signs within just a few pitches. This scandal likely resulted in a performance increase that contributed to the Astros' 2017 World Series Championship.

[0005] In an attempt to end digital sign stealing, a memorandum was sent around Major League Baseball on Sep. 15, 2017 stating “electronic equipment, including game feeds in the club replay room and / or video room, may never be used during a game for the purpose of stealing the opposing team's signs”. In addition, Major League Baseball's investigation confirmed that the Astros illegally used a video camera system to steal signs during their 2017 and 2018 seasons, resulting in fines, sanctions and suspensions. However, the nominal penalties justified the crime, rather than deterred it. Since the Astros began their sign stealing scandal, their net worth has gone from $1.1 billion in 2016 to $1.8 billion in 2019. During this time period, the Astros were able to sign talent wanting to be a part of a winning team, such as Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. The Astros won an average of 104 games between the 2017 and 2019 seasons inclusive, going to the World Series in 2017 and 2019 and winning it in 2017. The teams that unfairly lost to the Astros also lost stature and revenue. Mere sanctions are not enough.

[0006] Teams do practice self-help, some attempting to randomize their pitch signs. Kurt Suzuki, the starting catcher playing against the Astros in the 2019 World Series, commented “I got messed up on signs a couple of times, had to call time and take us out of rhythm. I kept thinking, ‘We have to go to the field and work early on our signs in the World Series just to stop their cheating. It's so stupid and so wrong”.

[0007] Despite ever-increasing sanctions by Major League Baseball and team self-help, sign-stealing continues. In 2020 the Boston Red Sox were implicated in another sign stealing scandal that resulted in similar punishments to the Astros.

[0008] What is needed is a secure system for encrypting pitch signs by adapting an encryption scheme that provides a high level of security from cryptanalysis for the full length of a baseball game, while also allowing for practical use by players. The encryption must also be implemented in accordance with major league baseball guidelines. Unlike some other professional sports; communications gear, cameras, electronic devices, or smart watches are strictly regulated and limited in implementation. Second, any piece of equipment or playwear must be durable and rugged to the field environment; durable to rough gameplay, dust resistant from the field, and waterproof from rain. Lastly, equipment must be light and uncumbersome to the players, providing no additional impedance on pace or play of the game. Therefore, any application of a secure sign system must be small enough to handle as well as simple to use; and yet be undecipherable either through mere observation or computer pattern recognition.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of this invention is therefore to overcome the seeming inefficacy of baseball sign-stealing sanctions, and as a practical matter to render sign stealing efforts useless, by providing an encrypted signing system.

[0010] It is another object to implement the foregoing in a piece of sports equipment that adheres to major league baseball guidelines.

[0011] It is still another object to overcome the inefficacy of baseball sign-stealing sanctions, and as a practical matter to render sign-stealing efforts useless, by providing an encrypted signing system that can be implemented in either a non-technological manner or smartwatch agnostic application.

[0012] In one embodiment, a wearable mechanical wrist-mounted device akin to a watch is disclosed. The device comprises a conventional wristband and lug, with dual ratcheted bezels or crowns. This non-electronic wearable embodiment offers baseball organizations the ability to ensure secure sign communication with minimal modifications to the current rules, without risking additional cheating schemes caused by allowing electronic devices. During the game, both the pitcher and catcher, wearing identical devices, communicate the desired pitch and location through the hand signals as indicated by the reference table provided in the device.

[0013] In an alternate embodiment, an electronic smartwatch is provided to implement the foregoing.

[0014] Both embodiments have a display that allows players to communicate and signal pitch types and pitch locations via hand signs.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Additional aspects of the present invention will become evident upon reviewing the embodiments described in the specification and the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals designate like elements, and wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a mechanical embodiment of the smart watch 2 according to the invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an exposed view of the face of a mechanical embodiment of the smart watch 2 of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a front view of an electronic embodiment of the smart watch 4 according to the invention, with display screen displaying pitch type, pitch location and randomly-assigned sign codes.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a front view of an electronic embodiment of the smart watch 4 as in FIG. 3 with display screen displaying the profile selection and / or profile creation screen.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a front view of an electronic embodiment of the smart watch 4 as in FIG. 3 with display screen displaying the Create Profile screen.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a front view of an electronic embodiment of the smart watch 4 as in FIG. 3 with display screen displaying the pitch number entry screen.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a front view of an electronic embodiment of the smart watch 4 as in FIG. 6 with display screen displaying the pitch type code entry screen.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a front view of an electronic embodiment of the smart watch 4 as in FIG. 3 with display screen displaying the pitch location number entry screen.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a front view of an electronic embodiment of the smart watch 4 as in FIG. 8 with display screen displaying the pitch location code entry screen.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a front view of an electronic embodiment of the smart watch 4 as in FIGS. 3-10 with display screen displaying the newly-created profile.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustration of the App backend protocol.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] The present invention is a method and device for two-way communication of sports signals and particularly baseball pitch signs in an encrypted manner using wearable devices that implement symmetric key encryption (SKC). The catcher or manager uses a wearable device akin to a watch to encrypt the sign. They then visually send the encrypted sign (ciphersign) to the pitcher via hand signs, who decodes it using an identical synchronized wearable device.

[0028] There are two implementations of the wearable device, one being a mechanical device operated by either two ratcheting crowns or a mechanical one way push-pin and entwined gear system. An alternative embodiment is a smartwatch agnostic application running on an electronic wearable, e.g., a conventional smartwatch.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a mechanical wearable device 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. Device 2 generally comprises a circular watch cover 12 having an opaque face 14 with two show-through windows 16, 18, both preferably magnification windows (2×-4×). Cover 12 fits atop a circular watch housing 60 that contains the mechanism, and two peripheral adjustment knobs 62, 64 for moving the mechanism. The device 2 is preferably worn via a traditional watch wristband. The two peripheral adjustment knobs 62, 64 provide unidirectional ratcheted rotation to two concentric trays 52, 54, respectively, by engagement of two respective crown gears 72, 74. Each tray 52, 54 seats one of two reference crowns 42, 44 each containing at least 27 numerical permutations. Each tray 52, 54 and its respective crown 42, 44 can be freely rotated independent of the other using respective adjustment knobs 62, 64. Each crown 42, 44 displays its numerical permutation via its respective show-through window 16, 18.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows an example of numerical permutations on each crown 42, 44, crown 44 containing at least 27 colored permutations of “pitch set”, each permutation consisting of a four digit pitch subset over a corresponding four-digit sign subset against a color background. Crown 42 contains at least 27 permutations of “location set”, each permutation consisting of a four digit location subset over a corresponding four-digit sign subset against a color background. The windows 16, 18 for displaying pitch location and pitch type, respectively, are 180 degrees from each other, with the colored subsets viewed only from the top subface. This way the device 2 is configured so that exactly one pitch subset permutation appears directly overtop one sign subset in window 18, e.g., FCSH / 4123 as shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, near the bottom of the wearable, exactly one sign subset appears directly overtop one location subset in window 16, e.g, 3214 / O, L Ō, Ī. The sign subsets are pseudorandom permutations of the set {1, 2, 3, 4} which correspond to the hand signals given by the catcher. The pitch subsets are pseudorandom permutations of the set {F, C, S, H}, where “F” means fastball, “C” means curveball, “S” means slider, and “H” means changeup. The location subsets are pseudorandom permutations of the set {O, I, Ō, Ī} where “Ī” means high and inside, “Ō” means high and outside, “I” means low and inside, and “O” means low and outside. Thus, if the catcher wishes to instruct the pitcher to throw a low-outside slider, the catcher looks at the device 2, correlates slider with 1, and low outside to 1. They convey this to the pitcher by signing a 1 followed by a 1. The pitcher sees the 1 and 1 and looks to their synchronized settings to interpret as a low-outside slider.

[0031] The color backgrounds on each crown 42, 44 are pseudorandomly distributed background colors-either green or yellow-assigned to and delineating the permutations of “pitch subset” and its corresponding “sign subset” as shown. After each pitch both players rely on the background colors to turn their crowns one iteration. If the colors in window 16 match those of window 18 the players turn the outer crown 44 one indexed location (corresponding to an iteration of one in the inner permutations). If the colors are different, the players turn the inner crown 42 corresponding to an iteration of one in the outer permutations. Because the background colors are pseudorandomly distributed, the color matching acts as a random number generator (RNG), introducing pseudorandomness into the overall system. This in turn creates an encoding scheme by which the sets of permutations are shifted at unpredictable rates, protecting the resulting reference tables from being broken via pattern recognition. Increasing the number of permutations displayed as well as the total number of pseudorandom colors increases security. However, while two, three, or four pseudorandomly distributed colors may be used, having just two unique colors has been found optimal, along with two large (27 or greater) equal inner and outer permutations. The colors are preferably bright green (Hex Code: #AAFF00) and bright yellow (Hex Code: #FFFF00), the two most visible colors to the human eye at a wavelength of approximately 535 nanometers and 580 nm, respectively.

[0032] The signaling / advancement process is repeated for the entirety of the game. Each crown 42, 44 on which are printed the subsets, provides practical security for a full length baseball game, or about 150 pitches. The crowns 42, 44 can be made of paper, and can be inserted and replaced into each tray 52, 54 removed by unlocking the watch cover from the housing, by unlocking, rotating and removing the watch cover 12 from the circular watch housing 60. Thus, after each game the used crowns 42, 44 can be replaced with new pseudorandomly created crowns preloaded for the next game.

[0033] It is preferable to produce discrete ratcheted click-turns on each crown 42, 44 (at least 27), and this can be accomplished incorporating a unidirectional, ratcheting construction such as a click spring for each tray 52, 54 and its respective crown 42, 44 or a spring loaded one-way push-pin mechanism, similar to the unidirectional, ratcheting bezels used in a diver's watch. The watch click spring or spring-loaded push pin provides unidirectional motion of the crown gear, as it presses against notches in the tray that “catch” the spring while rotating in the same direction that the spring is oriented. The spring then catches on the notches and prevents the tray from rotating in the opposite direction. This allows the crowns to produce separate discrete movements providing haptic feedback to the wearer.

[0034] One skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing may also be accomplished with a smartwatch agnostic application (“App”) running on any conventional electronic wearable device or “smart watch.”FIG. 3 illustrates a smart watch 4 implementing the App according to an embodiment of the invention. The smart watch 4 may be any suitable electronic wearable electronic device comprising a compact microprocessor platform capable of running the App and generating the illustrated display of a pitch subset permutation PS directly overtop one sign subset permutation SS1 both in a top portion of the display, e.g., F C CH S / 4321 as shown in FIG. 3 (where F=fastball, SL=slider, C=curveball, SP=splitter, CH=change up). Similarly, near the bottom of the wearable display, exactly one sign subset permutation SS2 appears directly overtop one location subset permutation LS, e.g, HO, LO, LI, M, HI / 41502 (where HO=high and outside, LO=low and outside, LI=low and inside, M=middle, and HI=high and inside). In the electronic embodiment there is no need for color backgrounds because the software implements pseudorandom distribution when choosing the successive pitch / sign and location / sign subset permutations. Thus, if the catcher wishes to instruct the pitcher to throw a low-outside slider, the catcher looks at the device 4, correlates slider with 5, and low outside to 4. The catcher conveys this to the pitcher by signing a 5 followed by a 4. The pitcher sees the 5 and 4 signs and looks to their synchronized settings to interpret as a low-outside slider. The device 4 also includes a Pitch Out display PO for signaling special plays such as pitch outs, and a pitch counter display PC for tracking the number of pitches thrown since the beginning of the game. A Refresh Button 43 allows the user to create a new sequence before every pitch.

[0035] The software application preferably relies on pre-stored profiles to facilitate use. The present software relies on remote access to cloud-based data, so that all player specific profiles can be accessed from any device with access to the cloud network. Thus, for example, before each game both the pitcher and catcher don their devices 4 and open the software app and select the corresponding profile. To open an existing profile the players choose the profile by name as seen in FIG. 4. Upon choosing they are directed to input a password). In the current embodiment the password is alphanumeric, but the device may alternatively utilize image identification, image transformation, or image creation. Preferably, the alphanumeric password contains at least one lower case letter, one upper case letter, one number and one special character such as $, %, or #) and contain at least 12 characters. This gives at least 78 bits of security, which is generally regarded as strong. The input password is hashed into a 256-bit integer that acts as a seed to randomly select and display the starting sign sequence (above) from all possible combinations of sign sequences based on pitch types and locations specified in a pitcher's profile. If a pitcher does not have a profile, they can select an option to make a new profile (“+” or “Create Profile”).

[0036] As seen in FIG. 5 if Create Profile is selected the user will be prompted to enter a profile name, e.g., Mike Trout. Depressing the Refresh Button 43 moves to the next screen.

[0037] The sequence proceeds through the screens shown in FIGS. 6-10.

[0038] As seen in FIG. 6, the user is asked to input the number of pitch types they wish to display and depresses the Refresh Button 43 to move to the next screen.

[0039] As seen in FIG. 7, the user is asked to input a pitch type code for each desired pitch type, and then depress the Refresh Button 43 to move to the next screen. There may be up to five pitch type codes (e.g., F SL C SP CH), each code preferably being either one or two letters. Each code is simply a shorthand for a specific pitch type in order to save room on the display screen.

[0040] As seen in FIG. 8, the user is asked to input the number of pitch locations they wish to display and depresses the Refresh Button 43 to move to the next screen.

[0041] As seen in FIG. 9, the user is asked to input a pitch location code for each desired pitch location and depress the Refresh Button 43 to move to the next screen. There may be up to five pitch location codes (e.g., HO, LO, LI, M, HI) each code preferably being either one or two letters. Each code is simply a shorthand for a specific pitch location (e.g., HO=high outside) to save room on the display screen.

[0042] Finally, as seen in FIG. 10 the new profile is displayed with pitch type code and pitch location code symbols shown. Pressing the Refresh Button 43 saves the new profile.

[0043] Given existing pitcher and catcher profiles the App may be used for play in “Game Mode.” However, one skilled in the art should understand that major league rules prevent any network connections or communications ability during game play. Thus, upon launch the players are directed to input a password as above which loads the appropriate profiles. The App prompts the user to disable all network modules (WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular). This is shown in the backend protocol flow chart of FIG. 11. As seen in step 10 upon launch the App prompts the user to disable all network modules (WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 11 step 12 the App generates a list of all possible combinations of sign sequences based on pitch types and locations specified in a pitcher's profile.

[0045] Once disabled, the App enters “Game Mode” which restricts access to watch functions outside the App itself, preventing any connectivity and relinquishing access to remote storage, only retaining local on-device information access.

[0046] As seen in step 14 the input password from the beginning of the game is hashed into a 256-bit integer that acts as a seed to randomly select and display a starting sign sequence. The App enters gameplay mode, and a new display screen opens up with the signal permutations for the first pitch of the game (FIG. 3).

[0047] In gameplay mode iterations of the codes are computed and accessed from local memory. Since two synced devices retain the same password for gameplay, and the display of codes is a direct function of the password, users of each device will see the same sets of codes, indefinitely. Once the app is exited, locally stored codes are deleted and regenerated upon entering a new password.

[0048] After each pitch both players press side Reset Button 43 to initiate the software application to assign different sets of permutations. As seen in FIG. 11 step 16 each time the Refresh Button 43 is pressed the list of all possible permutations of pitch subset codes PS and location subset codes LS is reordered and the value of the random seed integer is increased by one (1). The new seed is then used to select and display a new sign sequence from the reordered list.

[0049] Both the pitch type PS and pitch location codes LS remain static as the players iterate through the signal permutations. However, the corresponding numbers SS1 and SS2 change each time the button 14 is pressed. Under each displayed pitch type PS is a random unique integer SS1 ranging from zero to the number of pitch types in the pitcher's profile. Under each displayed pitch location LS is a random unique integer SS2 ranging from zero to the number of pitch locations in the pitcher's profile. Since zero is included, the set of integers from which the random integers are selected is exactly one greater than the number of pitch types or locations in the pitcher's profile, and hence there is always one integer that cannot be randomly selected for each pitch type PS and pitch location LS, respectively. As seen in FIG. 3, the two non-selected integers are displayed in the left middle circle of the display screen (e.g., 0.3). This code becomes the sign for a pitchout PO.

[0050] Thus, for example, where a pitcher's profile has five pitch types and five pitch locations, he / she may select F for “fastball”, C for “curveball”, SL for “slider”, CH for “changeup”, and SP for “splitter.” For pitch locations, he / she may select HO for “high and outside”, HI for “high and inside”, LO for “low and outside”, LI for “low and inside”, and M for “middle.” For both pitch types and pitch locations, since there are five of each the set of integers from which the random unique integers are selected is (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Any given pitch in the game could have the mapping shown in FIG. 3, wherein 0 was not randomly selected for any pitch type and 3 was not selected for any pitch location. These two integers 0, 3 become the sign for a pitchout, thereby allowing pitchouts to be similarly signaled as a pitch type-pitch location combination.

[0051] Additionally, in the right middle of the display screen (FIG. 3) appears a pitch counter PC that counts the total number of times a player has pressed the button in a given game. This value is effectively the pitch count. Both the pitcher and catcher must press button 43 at the same time before every pitch to ensure that the same permutation set is being used for that pitch. However, the pitch counter PC serves as a precaution in case there is any miscommunication. If there is a miscommunication, the players can easily communicate the number and, therefore, the correct signal permutations, and then one player can push the Reset Button 43 until they have the same value as their counterpart. For example, in FIG. 3 the pitch count PC value is 57. The catcher sees that a runner at first may be stealing and signals 2, 5. The pitcher sees this and delivers a pitchout in an attempt to throw the runner out. After the pitch is delivered, both the pitcher and catcher press the button 43, which iterates to the next set of pseudorandom codes dictated by the hashed password. The next set will have a pitch count value of 23. This process continues until a new pitcher enters the game, at which point, both the pitcher and catcher select the corresponding pitcher's profile and begin iterating once again. After the game, the app is exited. At the beginning of the next game, the process repeats itself, with the only difference being that a new password must be input so that a new pseudorandom sequence is initiated, blocking pattern detection.

[0052] The software application iterates from one to the next set of signal permutations using a Random Number Generator (RNG) that pseudorandomly selects about 150 sets, corresponding to the major league average of 150 communications per game, from all possible permutations of sets.

[0053] It should be appreciated that the software application may utilize any suitable random number generator, such as a true random number generator, a pseudo random number generator, or other suitable randomization process capable of random selection of a subset of sign codes (e.g., 150) from all possible permutations of sets, and random selection of sign codes from the selected subset. Random number generators are known in many technical applications, including physics, engineering or mathematical computer studies.

[0054] While the software application can be run on any commercial smartwatch, given the minimal hardware requirements, it is significant to note that the electronic embodiment need not include any hardware for connectivity or networking capabilities during Game Play Mode, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular, and no electronic signals are transmitted between devices when used for the purpose described herein. Thus, when the user opens the app, they may be prompted to give the app permission to turn off all connectivity before being able to enter. This ensures that it is not possible to hack into the system and decipher the signals.

[0055] It should now be apparent that the present invention allows secure communication of sports signals, particularly baseball pitch signs, in an encrypted manner by assigning pseudorandom signs to both pitch type and pitch location. Due to the pseudorandomness of the system, pattern detection is greatly limited between any sign and the corresponding pitch type or pitch location, regardless of how many pitches have been thrown in a game.

[0056] Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with the concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically set forth herein.

Claims

1. A method of sport signal communication, comprising the steps of:a first player wearing a first wearable device configured for encrypting a desired hand signal into a visual cyphersign using symmetric key encryption (SKC);a second player wearing a second wearable device synchronized to said first wearable device for decrypting said visual cyphersign into a hand signal;said first player hand signaling said visual cyphersign to said second player;said second player decrypting said visual cyphersign to said desired hand signal using said second wearable device.

2. A method for transmitting encrypted signals during a sporting event, comprising the steps of:establishing a sign subset by assigning an identifier to each sign to be communicated;assigning a plurality of numerical permutations to each assigned identifier in said sign subset;a player and teammate both wearing an identical wearable device, both said wearable devices being configured to incrementally select and display the same one of said numerical permutations of said sign subset by pseudorandom selection;said player selecting a sign to transmit to the teammate during said sporting event; the player determining from their wearable device the selected numerical permutation of said sign subset corresponding to the selected sign;said player visually communicating the selected numerical permutation to their teammate;said teammate decrypting said selected numerical permutation by correlating to the selected sign displayed on their wearable device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said sporting event comprises baseball and each sign of said sign subset comprises a pitch type.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said sporting event comprises baseball and each sign of said sign subset comprises a pitch location.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said sporting event comprises baseball and both said wearable devices are configured to pseudorandomly select and display the same one of said numerical permutations of said sign subset as a function of pitch count.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein both said wearable devices comprise mechanical watches with rotating crowns.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein both said wearable devices comprise smart watches running software programs.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein neither of said wearable devices are in any communication with the other wearable device.

9. A method for transmitting encrypted pitch signals during a baseball game, comprising the steps of:establishing a pitch type subset by assigning an first identifier to each pitch type sign to be communicated;establishing a pitch location subset by assigning a second identifier to each pitch location sign to be communicated;assigning a first plurality of numerical permutations to each assigned first identifier in said pitch type subset;assigning a second plurality of numerical permutations to each assigned second identifier in said pitch location subset;a player and teammate both wearing an identical wearable device, both said wearable devices being configured to incrementally select and display one and the same numerical first permutation and numerical second permutation by a pseudorandom selection;said player selecting a pitch type and pitch location to transmit to the teammate during said sporting event;the player determining from their wearable device the selected numerical first permutation and selected second numerical permutation corresponding to the selected pitch type and pitch location, respectively;said player visually communicating the selected numerical first permutation and second permutation to their teammate;said teammate decrypting said selected numerical first permutation and second permutation by correlating to the selected pitch type and pitch location displayed on their wearable device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein both said wearable devices are configured to pseudorandomly select and display the same one of said numerical permutations of said sign subset as a function of pitch count.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein both said wearable devices comprise mechanical watches with rotating crowns.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein both said wearable devices comprise smart watches running software programs.

13. A secure system for communicating signals during a sporting event, comprising:a first wearable devices configured to be worn by a player;a second wearable device configured to be worn by a teammate;a public key that assigns one of a plurality of character permutations to each signal;a dynamic private key comprising a moving cross-reference of each signal to one of said plurality of character permutations as a function of a signal count, said cross-reference changing with each signal count;whereby both of said wearable devices are configured to incrementally select and display the same selected character permutation cross-referenced to a selected signal.

14. The secure system according to claim 13, wherein said first wearable device and second wearable device both comprise mechanical watches, both having a first rotating band implementing said public key and a second rotating band implementing said private key.

15. The secure system according to claim 13, wherein said first wearable device and second wearable device both comprise smart watches, both smart watches having a software program implementing said public key and private key.

16. A wearable device for communicating pitch signals during a baseball game, comprising a first crown rotatable to assign one of a first plurality of character permutations to a selected signal.

17. The wearable device according to claim 15, wherein said selected signal comprises a pitch type and a pitch location, and said wearable device further comprises a second crown rotatable to assign one of a second plurality of character permutations to a selected pitch location.

18. A wearable device for communicating pitch signals during a baseball game, comprising a smart watch having a display configured to display a plurality of signals each cross-referenced to a code, and a software program configured to randomly select a plurality of codes and display the signals each cross-referenced to an associated code, and to repeat said random selection and display each time a refresh button is pressed.

19. The wearable device according to claim 17, wherein said selected signal comprises a pitch type and a pitch location, and said display is configured to display a selected pitch type referenced to a first character permutation and a selected pitch location referenced to a second character permutation.

20. A method for encrypting a first set characters into a second set of characters comprising the steps of:establishing a public key that assigns one of a plurality of permutations of said second set of characters to said first set of characters;establishing a dynamic private key comprising a moving cross-reference of said first set of characters to one of said plurality of character permutations of said second set of characters as a function of a count;incrementing said count to alter the cross-reference of said first set of characters to a different character permutations of said second set of characters.

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