Pregame Signal Checklist for Coaches

Why a Checklist Matters

Consistency before first pitch prevents communication issues later. Treat signal setup like your lineup card: same routine, every game. The coaches who never have signal problems are the ones who run the same two-minute check every time.

A missed signal in the first inning sets a bad tone. Your catcher looks confused, your pitcher loses rhythm, and suddenly you are burning a mound visit on something that should have been sorted in the dugout. This checklist keeps that from happening.

First Game of the Season

Before your first game with PitchTAC, you need a one-time setup. Do this at a practice, not on game day. If your team is still waiting for launch access, treat this as the checklist to run as soon as the app is available to you.

Download and Install

• Install PitchTAC on your iPhone as soon as your team has access
• Open the Watch app on your iPhone and confirm PitchTAC is installed on each player's Apple Watch
• Make sure both devices are running the latest version of the app

Build Your Roster

• Open PitchTAC and create your team
• Add every player who will receive signals — name and position
• Set up your pitching rotation and assign pitch arsenals to each pitcher so signals match what they actually throw

Pair Watches and Test

• Have each player open PitchTAC on their Apple Watch
• Join a practice session from the app and confirm every watch connects
• Send at least five or six test signals and verify each player sees them on their wrist

Run a Live Practice

• Use PitchTAC during a full bullpen session or intersquad scrimmage
• Let your catcher practice reading signals from the watch during live at-bats
• Get your backup signal caller comfortable with the app so they are not learning it for the first time on game day

Once this setup is done, you will not need to repeat it. From here on out, it is just the pregame checklist below.

The Pregame Checklist

1. Device Check (10 Minutes Before Warm-Ups)

• Verify your iPhone battery is above 40 percent — plug in during batting practice if needed
• Have each player check their Apple Watch battery is above 30 percent
• Confirm Bluetooth is turned on for your iPhone and all connected watches
• If you are playing multiple games, bring a charger and a power bank for between-game top-offs

2. Roster and Session Setup

• Open PitchTAC and confirm your active roster matches today's lineup
• Scratch any players who are not in the game so signals only go where they need to go
• Set your pitching rotation for the game — starting pitcher and planned relievers
• Create the game session before warm-ups start so players can join while they stretch

3. Signal Confirmation (During Dugout Time)

• Send a short warm-up sequence — three or four pitch signals covering different pitch types
• Every player should receive and confirm each signal on their watch
• Watch for delays or missed signals and fix them now, not in the third inning
• If a player's watch is not receiving, have them close and reopen the PitchTAC app, then rejoin the session

4. Assign a Fallback

• Designate one assistant coach or team manager as the backup signal operator
• Make sure they are logged in to PitchTAC on their own device and have access to the current session
• Walk them through sending two or three signals so the handoff is seamless if you need to step away or get ejected

Quick Troubleshooting

Things go wrong sometimes. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them fast.

Watch Not Receiving Signals

• Check Bluetooth. Open Settings on the player's iPhone and make sure Bluetooth is on. Do the same on the Apple Watch.
• Make sure the watch app is open. The PitchTAC app needs to be in the foreground on the watch to receive signals.
• Rejoin the session. Have the player leave the game session on their watch and rejoin. This fixes most connectivity drops.
• Restart the app. If rejoining does not work, force-close PitchTAC on both the iPhone and the watch, then reopen and reconnect.

Signals Arriving Late

• Move your iPhone closer to the players if possible — shorter Bluetooth range means faster delivery
• Close other apps running on the player's watch to free up processing power
• If the delay persists, have the player restart their Apple Watch between innings

Player Cannot Join the Session

• Confirm they are on the correct team roster in the app
• Make sure their Apple Watch and iPhone are paired and nearby
• Delete and reinstall the watch app as a last resort — this takes about 60 seconds

Make It a Habit

Print this checklist or screenshot it. Run through it the same way every game until it becomes automatic. The entire routine takes under two minutes and eliminates the most common game-day signal issues before they start.

Between Games (Tournament Days)

For doubleheaders or tournament weekends, add these steps between games:

• Top off watch batteries during the break — even 15 minutes on a charger helps
• End the previous session and create a fresh one for the new opponent
• Update your lineup if you are rotating players or switching pitchers
• Spot-check one signal before heading to the field to confirm everything reconnected

The best coaching technology is the kind you stop thinking about because the routine handles it.