Wireless Wednesday for 3/2/16 - Bridgestone and Spring Training Tech

*** Rick got to tour the Bridgestone Golf Factory in Covington today...  what did he see???

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 Mitch 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.

Have a listen:

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 League 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.  Mike Trout Using a Smart Bat thanks to Zepp

Mike Trout is one of the most, if not the most, complete players in all of baseball.

Now, thanks to new technology, he's getting an edge on training.

Zepp unveiled a new swing sensor that's integrated directly into the bottom of Trout's baseball bat that gives instant feedback on his attack angle, swing speed and other metrics.

"It's pretty cool how you can put a sensor inside a handle and not even feel it," said Trout. "I swung it a couple times, you don't even feel it's there."

This technology isn't just for the professionals though, as Zepp has partnered with little leagues to give kids a chance to compare their swings to that of Trout.

"As a kid, you're just out there swinging. You don't know what you're doing. You're out there just trying to make contact. With the app, to show you video of it, you know that's the stuff I'm dealing with now," said Trout.
 


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.
 

App of the Week:
Tennis Champs

* Free for iOS

- The best tennis video game ever produced and one fo the top sports games
- This is the "Madden" of Tennis
The Amiga classic tennis game, Tennis Champs, is back on serve for sports video game enthusiasts. 20 years after the original Tennis Champs and Super Tennis Champs launched for Amiga systems, it's been remade, refeshed and brought up-to-date so sports gamers in 2016 can topspin and slice their way to victory.

Already getting raves reviews, Tennis Champs has hit the ground running and it's earned "Game of the Week" honors from TouchArcade. It's available for the iOS device of your choice, but it really shines on the iPad Air and Mini with the added screen real estate. It was actually remade for iOS by the guy who was the programmer for the Amiga version, so we still have the same on-screen characters, they still possess the same on court traits, but with better looking animation.

The game is addictive. The players move easily around the court with the newish controls, but with the feel of the 1990's version. Practice, play matches, Daily Challenges and if you are in it for the long haul, there is a Career Mode for those that want to be pros. Career mode puts you among the top-200 pros in the world and on the World Tour. Work your way up the rankings and try to win those coveted major titles.