Olympic Softball (One Last Time)

In search of infinite iterations, the Chinese team purchased the ProBatter PX2. Not your father’s pitching machine, this simulator comes complete with a DVD quality 8X10 foot screen. Actual footage of a pitcher on the screen shows a real motion while the ball fires through a hole in the screen at the appropriate release point. The ability to time a ball based on watching a pitcher’s motion is a massive leap in the realism for such technology. A handful of professional baseball teams have purchased the baseball version of the system (Red Sox, Yankees, etc.).

The patented three-wheel machine fires Finch-like pitches through the screen with a pitch selection twice that of any Olympian (40-70 mph at 2 mph increments, eight types – fastball, change up, curve, screwball, drop, screw riser, riser, curve drop) Users specify pitch sequences and location with a single click (one of nine spots with three-inch accuracy) or allow the computer to randomize per their skill level (one of nine) and height. Stored indoors (visual problems), the machine hasn’t yet replaced the batting practice pitcher but ProBatter is working on it. At $45k it’s not likely to show up in many high schools, but the Chinese aren’t about to put a price on gold.

Bring Back the Ballgame

Ever wonder what makes a sport worthy of the Olympics? So do we. With both baseball and softball on the chopping block but field hockey apparently secure, we’ve given up. But for those inspired by what they read here, you can help try and put softball back in the Olympics in 2016. The Back Softball campaign is focusing on increasing participation by promoting the sport in the Middle East and Europe through teaching and equipment donations. To support the cause, click here.

Jennie Finch

Alright, you’ve waited long enough. You can buy a personalized bat or the windmill machine she swears is the key to her amazing rise pitch. She’s toured the country striking out Major League Baseball players (Pujols, Piazza) who have less reaction time against her 60 mph pitch from 43 feet (0.350 sec) than they do against a 95 mph baseball pitch from 60 feet 6 inches (0.395). In this clip from the television show Sports Science you’ll learn a bit more about what makes Jennie so special to us all.