Baseball Pitch Command Measurement via Intended-Actual Deviation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring a pitcher's command in baseball are imprecise, making it difficult for coaches, scouts, and teams to evaluate and improve pitcher performance, as they cannot accurately determine the pitcher's intent and precision in throwing pitches within a small strike zone.
Innovation Solution
A pitch evaluation system that includes a transmitter to wirelessly send intended pitch locations to a receiver, a measuring device to track the actual pitch location, and a command determination device to compare and output a measure of the difference between intended and actual pitch locations, providing a precise measure of a pitcher's command.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional visual evaluation methods are used, then the evaluation process is simple, but the measurement precision of pitcher's command is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement function into separate components: a transmitter for sending intended pitch location data, a receiver for capturing actual pitch location, and a command determination device for comparing the two. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while achieving precise command measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data transmission system between the intended pitch location and the actual pitch location measurement. This intermediary layer enables objective comparison of command accuracy without requiring direct visual evaluation, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining system manageability.
2Measurement precision
If radar guns and tracking devices are used, then the speed and position measurement is improved, but the command measurement remains error prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing the intended pitch location (from transmitter) with the actual pitch location (from receiver) and providing command determination data. This feedback loop enables real-time assessment of command accuracy, improving both precision and reliability of measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter sends the intended pitch location data before the pitch is thrown, establishing the target position in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to objectively measure the deviation between intended and actual delivery, thereby improving command measurement reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the strike zone is made smaller, then the command measurement becomes more challenging, but the evaluation becomes more precise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/visual measurement methods with electronic data transmission and processing systems. The transmitter and receiver electronically capture intended and actual pitch locations, substituting human visual evaluation with automated electronic measurement that can handle the precision required for smaller strike zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters from subjective visual assessment to objective electronic data collection. By using coordinated data from transmitter and receiver, the system can accurately measure pitch location within smaller strike zones, transforming the measurement challenge into a solvable data processing problem.
Data Source
AI summary
A command measurement system employs a ball flight tracking system that measures the location of a ball as it breaks the plane of the strike zone. The command measurement system also employs an intended pitch location system that provides the pitcher with a wireless signal to inform the pitcher of the intended pitch location. This intended pitch location target forms the pitcher's intent of where he or she is trying to pitch the ball. The measured pitch location is compared to the intended pitch location and a measure of command is determined by the amount of deviation of the measured location from the intended pitch location.