WGST's "The Sully Show" for 2/26/16 - Baseball Spring Training Tech

Spring Training has sprung at places in Florida and Arizona as the MLB season prepares to throw it's first pitch.

All the teams have reported and are getting ready for Exhibition Games where some new technology will be tested and introduced.

Rick and Sully feel it's never too early to talk about baseball, so here's some of the hot tech to look for at Spring Training 2016.
 


1.   Protective Headwear for Pitchers

Seeing a pitcher, at any level of baseball, struck by a powerful hit is one of the more gruesome aspects of baseball. This type of contact is extremely dangerous, and could even result in death by internal bleeding in the brain.

The protective cap, designed by Boombang, essentially looks like a helmet with the top cut off to look more like a hat. Each helmet is specifically made to protect the most vulnerable areas of contact for both left-handed and right-handed pitchers. The headwear is 0.7 inches thick, made with a carbon fiber shell—it has been tested to protect pitchers at around 85 mph.

The list of pitchers that are set to receive this new cap varies from ones that have been struck by hits in the past, like Tampa Bay’s Alex Cobb, to pitchers that recently expressed interest.
 



2. Coolbase Technology in the Jerseys

Cool Base jerseys are made of 100 percent Polyester Performance Mesh and feature Cool Base technology, which helps wick away moisture quickly to keep you dry and comfortable.

You too can order your own Coolbase jersey at Fanatics.com

 

3.  Three-wheeled Pitching Machines

Allow balls to come at batters not only at Major Leage speeds, but with Major League movement on the ball.
They throw Major League cutters and sliders on and off the edge of the plate. Also helps catchers with their technique and are great for simulated games.

 
4.  Minnesota Twins To Use Kinduct Technologies To Try And Prevent Injuries

The Minnesota Twins and Kinduct Technologies have announced a merge to try and prevent injuries.

Kinduct Technologies is dedicated to making people better by providing products to address information challenges of organizations who work with athletes, students, patients, employees and clients. Their software solutions help organize, collect, share and analyze data in one centralized platform that leads to better and more informed results.

The Twins will be able to use the technology to modernize their performance and operational capabilities. The tools provided by Kinduct will be utilized across the Twins’ organization, even in their minor league clubs.
Kinduct gives the Twins a centralized platform to collect, share, monitor and measure health, wellness and player performance data. Kinduct Technologies include performance, health, clinic and fitness solutions. The performance aspect of Kinduct allows coaches to collect any type of data, whether it is fitness testing or wearables, in order to get a full picture of the athletes’ ability. Kinduct Health helps collect and organize patient information on one platform

5. Use Of Extended Protective Netting Starts In Spring Training

The new experience of looking through extended protective netting in more of the best field-level seats of the ballpark will first occur for Cubs fans at spring training games in Mesa, Ariz. Sloan Park will have netting from dugout to dugout, going 70 feet from home plate. This new feature will be in place on March 4 when the Cubs play the first of their 15 home games in the Cactus League.

The decision to enhance fan safety here by the Cubs is consistent with the MLB’s recommendation in December to further protect fans by extending the netting down the foul lines. Clubs aren’t being forced to put up the protective netting in spring training, MLB chief communications officer Pat Courtney said, but the Cubs chose to do so anyway.

The view of the playing field will be different with more netting in place and could be a big adjustment for the fans paying the top prices for premium seats.

 
----  Don't forget about the big NASCAR weekend at AMS, this coming weekend!