How do they estimate distance?

[deeman11747]

I don't understand how they estimate distance on home runs. More than that... who does it? Do they have designated experts sitting in the stadium estimating distance to put on the scoreboard and tell the announcer?


Does anyone know how this works?

[Kelvarr]

Re: How do they estimate distance?

http://curvebank.calstatela.edu/baseball/baseball.htm

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question704.htm

[mjb2124]

Re: How do they estimate distance?

I saw a show on this once and they said it's up to the ballpark on how distance is measured (this was about 5 years ago so it might've changed).

Anyhow, some ballparks measure by where the ball landed. Other's measure where the ball would've landed had it not been obstructed by something.

It's all done on computers. They have a high camera that tracks ball flight and feeds it to a computer. The computer calculates the distance based on the criteria set for it (ie: whether it measures right where the ball landed or estimates how far it would've gone had it not been obstructed). So it's pretty much instant feedback.

That's about all I got from it. There might me more, but I can't seem to remember.

[Blzer]

Re: How do they estimate distance?

So, they do it that quickly during home run derby?

[glucklich]

Re: How do they estimate distance?

Does anyone remember when Galarraga broke Mantles "record" for longest HR in a game in Florida and then they changed it, so he no longer had the record?

http://www.eagletribune.com/news/stories/20010624/SP_003.htm

excerpt:

The fun with numbers reminded Red Sox outfielder Dante Bichette of a home run Andres Galarraga hit in Florida while playing for the Rockies. It was initially measured at 580 feet. When the Marlins' PR staff realized it would be the longest home run ever hit, they downgraded to 555, leaving Mickey Mantle's 565-shot in Washington as the standard-bearer.

"They weren't taking that away from the Mick," Bichette said.

[Blzer]

Re: How do they estimate distance?

Galarraga's blast was the most majestic thing that I had ever seen. That and Barry Bonds' first shot at Turner Field last year during that Sunday Night Baseball game. I don't know why, but those two will stay with me forever.

[stAte]

Re: How do they estimate distance?

Is there any video of the Galarraga blast? I've never seen it and I'd like to.

[Freelance]

Re: How do they estimate distance?

McGwire against Randy Johnson in the Kingdome had to be the longest ever.