It’s no secret that technology plays a big role in Major League Baseball these days. But, have you ever wondered how exactly the speed of the baseball is tracked? I bet the answer might surprise you!
First of all, it all starts with the radar gun. All officials have their own depending on which position they occupy in the stadium. Radar guns sit near the back of each base and send out electromagnetic radiation, which bounces off the baseball when it’s in flight. The gun then measures the speed of the ball and sends it to the scoreboard for all to see. It’s really incredible what technology can do these days!
But that’s not the only way MLB keeps track of the speed of the baseball. For extra accuracy, cameras are also installed around the field that can measure the speed of the ball. The camera basically works like a light beam, allow the sensors to calculate the speed of the ball as it crosses the beam. This method is used in the event that the radar gun malfunctions or is inaccurate.
Also, MLB uses a “Strike Zone generator” to track the ball’s velocity as it leaves the pitcher’s hand. It’s basically a computer algorithm that clocks the speed of the pitch every time it leaves the pitcher’s hand. It can also measure how long it took for the ball to travel to home plate and help the umpiring crew make better calls on strikes, balls, and outs.
Another great technology used by cardinals 2023 schedule mlb is PITCHf/x. This one is popular with hardcore baseball fans. It uses sophisticated technology, like motion-capture cameras, to chart the entire flight path of the pitch – from the pitcher’s hand to the catcher, and helps to make sure that the ball really did cross over the strike zone.
Finally, MLB Shop uses sophisticated statistical data to better understand how the game is changing over time. Through data analysis, the league can track the average speed, length of at-bats, total number of pitches thrown, and so much more. This is all available for fans to browse and study as well.
But, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to tracking the speed of the baseball. There are other techniques and technologies used by MLB that we haven’t even discussed here. And with modern technology developing at an exponential rate, it’s only going to get even better in the future. Who knows, soon you may be able to track the speed of the baseball with just the flick of a wrist!