US20170014705A1 - System and Method for Pitch Detection and Analysis - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods are shown for pitch detection involving a first linear array with multiple detection devices for detecting an object mounted on a base for positioning near the front of home plate, adjacent the front edge of the home plate. Some examples include an indicator on each detector to indicate detection. In some examples, the detectors communicate detection to an analysis system. In some examples, the analysis system determines and displays a pitch result from the position of the detect object. In other examples, a second is positioned at a known distance from the plate and communicates a detection position to the analysis system, which determines pitch speed and result from the two positions. In another example, three arrays are used to determine a curved pitch path. Another example has an array positioned near the back of the plate for determining pitch result, path and speed.

Description

BACKGROUND
• Baseball and softball are games that require a pitcher to throw a ball within a strike zone at home plate in order to earn a strike against the batter and any pitches outside of the strike zone represent balls against the pitcher. The strike zone is defined as the volume of space over home plate between the batter's knees and mid-point of their torso.FIG. 1 is an aerial view schematic diagram illustrating an example of ahome plate10. An umpire judges or calls whether a pitch is a ball or strike, which requires training and practice, but may still result in errors or bad calls. Video replay is often used to analyze the call on a pitch, but this analysis occurs after the fact of the pitch itself.
SUMMARY
• According to one aspect of the present invention, an example of a pitch detection system for use in detecting strikes is shown, where the system includes a first linear array with a base member having a linear length that is at least the length of a front edge of a home plate, where the base member is to be positioned adjacent the front edge of the home plate. Multiple detection devices are attached along the linear length of the base member and each has an emitter for producing a detection beam and a detector for receiving reflected energy of the detection beam to detect an object. In some examples, each detection device includes an indicator for indicating that the detector has detected an object.
• In an example of a further refinement, the detection devices of the first array also have a communication interface to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object and the system has an analysis system configured to communicate with the detection devices, where the analysis system determines a pitch result from the position of the detected object and the pitch result is displayed.
• In still another example of a refinement, the system has a second array of detection devices configured to be positioned at a known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position and detection time to the analysis system, the first array of detection devices is further configured to communicate detection time to the analysis system, and the analysis system determines a pitch speed from the detection time at the first array, the detection time at the second array, and the known distance from home plate of the second array and may also display the pitch speed.
• In yet another refinement, the pitch detection system has a second array of detection devices configured to be positioned at a known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position to the analysis system, which determines a pitch path from the detection position at the first array and the detection position at the second array and determines an intersection of the pitch path with a strike zone volume of the home plate in order to obtain a pitch result, where the pitch result or pitch path or both may be displayed.
• Still another refinement involves a third array of detection devices configured to be positioned at another known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position to the analysis system, which determines the pitch path from the detection positions at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a two dimensional curved pitch path and determines the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the two dimensional curved pitch path.
• Further still, in another refinement of the pitch detection system, the detection devices of the first and second arrays are further configured to detect and communicate a detection height and the system includes a third array of detection devices configured to detect an object and communicate detection position and detection height to the analysis system and the third array is configured to be positioned at another known distance from home plate. The analysis system determines the pitch path from the detection positions and heights at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and determines the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path.
• In another example of a refinement of the pitch detection system, the detection devices of the first and second arrays are further configured to detect and communicate a detection height and a detection vertical speed. The analysis system determines the pitch path from the detection positions, heights and vertical speeds at the first and second arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and determines the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path.
• In an additional example of a refinement of the pitch detection system, the detection devices of the first array are further configured to detect and communicate detection height and detection vertical speed. The analysis system determines a sinking speed of the pitch from the detection vertical speed, determines a pitch vector from the sinking speed, detected position and detect height, and determines the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the pitch vector.
• In still another example of a refinement of the pitch detection system, one or more of the arrays are embedded in a home plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a home plate;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a pitch detection array in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the pitch detection array ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the function of the detection devices of the array ofFIG. 3;
• FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a multiple array pitch detection system in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 6 is a control flow diagram illustrating an example of a process for pitch detection in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 7 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of a process for pitch detection and analysis involving two detection arrays in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 8 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of a process for pitch detection and analysis involving three arrays, where the detectors are configured to capture the time of detection, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 9 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of a process for pitch detection and analysis involving three arrays, where the detectors are configured to capture the height of the ball at time of detection, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 10 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of a process for pitch detection and analysis involving an array with detectors configured to detect vertical speed of the ball at time of detection in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 11 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of a process for pitch detection and analysis involving two arrays, where the detectors are configured to capture height, vertical speed and the time of detection, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an arrangement of pitch detection arrays in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a home plate with embedded pitch detection arrays in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 14 depicts aspects of elements that may be present in a computer device and/or system configured to implement a method, system and/or process in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
• Note that the same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and figures to reference like components and features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of apitch detection apparatus100 having adetector array110 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention.Detector array110 is positioned substantially adjacent a leading edge ofhome plate10. As a result, a ball pitched tohome plate10 will crossdetector array110 immediately before it intersects the leading edge ofhome plate10.FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the pitch detection array ofFIG. 2, where a series ofdetectors122A-G are coupled together by abase member120. Each of thedetectors122A-G projects adetection beam124, such asdetection beam124G corresponding todetector122G. Thedetectors122A-G are positioned onbase member120 to cover the strike zone across the front ofhome plate10. In some examples, additional detectors outside the strike zone, e.g. ball zones, may also be provided.
• Detectors may utilize a variety of different technologies, such as laser, photo-optics, infrared, SONAR or radar, that are capable of detecting the presence of a projectile, such asball140. Generally, the detection beam provided must be sufficiently focused to differentiate the position of one detector from another as the ball passes overdetector array110. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many technologies may be adapted for use in the detection array. In the example shown,ball140 passes overarray110 andintersects detection beam124G resulting indetector122G detecting the ball.
• FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating one example of the function of thedetection devices122A-G of thearray110 ofFIG. 3. In this example,emitter132 generatesdetection beam124, e.g. a laser device producing a laser beam.Detection beam124 reflects offball140 producingreflected beam125, which is detected bydetector134, e.g. an optical device configured to detect the frequency of the laser light produced byemitter132. In this example,detector134 is coupled to anindicator136, which may be a light that is activated to indicate detection. In some embodiments,detector134 includes a network interface to permit communication with other devices so that it can transmit information regarding the detection event. Note that detector devices may be utilized that can measure the height of the ball as it passes over the detector and/or the speed of the ball with respect to the detector, e.g. vertical speed of the ball or how fast the ball is sinking or rising as it passes across the detector, such as through measuring a Doppler shift of thereflected beam125 with respect todetection beam124.
• FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a multiple arraypitch detection system200 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. In this example, threedetector arrays110A,110B and110C are positioned at known distances D1 and D2 from one another andarray110A is positioned on the leading edge ofhome plate10. While three arrays are shown in the example, either more or fewer arrays may be utilized in other embodiments. Whenball140 is pitched towardhome plate10, itspath212, in this example, takes it across each of the detector arrays, which detect the position of the ball.
• Detector arrays110A,110B and110C, in this example, are connected toanalysis system210 through a network, which may be wired or wireless. Analysis system may take the form, for example, of a personal computer or other computing device that communicates withdetector arrays110A,110B and110C to collect data regarding thepitch path212.
• FIG. 6 is a control flow diagram illustrating an example of asimple process250 for pitch detection in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, such as an embodiment with a single detector array,e.g. array110A inFIG. 5. At252, thedetection devices122 ofarray110A detect the position of theball140 as it passes acrossarray110A by, for example, being detected by one of thedetection devices122. At254, a strike or ball may be determined from the position detected based on whichdetector device122A-G detected the ball. At256, the strike or ball result is displayed.
• In one embodiment, a light in one of thedetector devices122A-G is activated or changed to indicate the detection position. If detector devices inarray110A are provided that cover the area outside the strike zone, then the indicator lights for these devices may have a different indicator color than the detector devices within the strike zone. No analysis system is utilized in this embodiment.
• In another embodiment,analysis system210 is in communication with thedetector devices122A-G ofarray110A, collects the position data from the detector devices, and displays the ball or strike result on, for example, a display monitor or an audible signal.
• Note that the strike zone coverage provided by asingle array110A is one dimensional and provides a basic indication of whether the pitch is a ball or strike. In certain scenarios, it may provide some erroneous results. For example, a pitch that crosseshome plate10 from an oblique side angle may not be detected or may be detected as a ball. Also, no other information regarding the pitch is provided.
• FIG. 7 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of aprocess260 for pitch detection and analysis involving two detection arrays in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. In this example,arrays110A and110B are utilized and are at a known distance D1 from one another. Theanalysis system210 in this example is designed to collect the time of detection in addition to the position of detection. For instance, the detector devices may be designed to create a timestamp when a pitch is detected. Or the detection devices send a message reporting a position detection andanalysis system210 derives the time of detection from the messaging.
• At262, in one example, a detection device inarray110A detects the ball and reports the position and timestamp toanalysis system210. At264, a detection device inarray110B detects the ball and reports the position and timestamp toanalysis system210. Atstep274,analysis system210 determines the speed of the pitch from the position and timestamp data along with the displacement distance D1 betweenarrays110A and110B. Atstep274,analysis system210 determines an angle of the pitch path from the positions detected atfirst array110A andsecond array110B. At272,analysis system210 determines from the pitch path angle whether the pitch path would intersect the strike zone volume abovehome plate10. At278, the strike/ball pitch result, the speed and the pitch path angle are displayed. Thus, this embodiment is able to provide additional information regarding the pitch, such as a basic two dimensional determination of pitch result, pitch speed and pitch angle.
• Note, however, that theexample pitch path212 inFIG. 5 is slightly curved, as often occurs in some types of pitches, e.g. a slider.FIG. 8 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of aprocess300 for pitch detection and analysis involving threearrays110A,110B and110C, where the detectors are configured to capture the time and position of detection, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. At302,304 and306, each of thearrays110A,110B and110C, respectively, reports the time and position of pitch detection. At310, the three data points provided from the arrays are used to calculate the pitch path curve. Atstep314, the pitch path curve result is used to determine whether thepitch path212 intersected the strike volume abovehome plate10 to obtain the pitch result. At316, the pitch result and pitch path curve results are displayed as well as the pitch speed determined at312.
• FIG. 9 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of aprocess350 for pitch detection and analysis involving three arrays, where the detectors are configured to capture the height of the ball at time of detection, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, such that three dimensional information regarding the pitch may be derived. In this example, thedetector devices122A-G provided in each of thearrays110A-C are capable of detecting and reporting the height of the ball relative to the detector device along with position and time of detection. At352,354 and356,arrays110A-C, respectively, report the position, time and height of detection for theball140 as it passes across the arrays on itspitch path212. At360, a three dimensional pitch path curve is calculated from the position and height of the ball at the threearrays110A-C. At362, the three dimensional pitch path curve is used to determine whether thepitch path212 intersected the strike zone volume. Note the use of height data allows the strike zone volume to be limited by height, e.g. above a certain height and below another height, giving a more accurate and complete pitch result. At364, the height data may be used to determine whether the pitch path is sinking or rising, which may be useful for analyzing certain pitches, such as curve balls. At366, the pitch result, three dimensional pitch path curve and sinking or rising results are displayed. This example may also be adapted to determine and display pitch speed in a manner similar to that discussed above.
• FIG. 10 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of aprocess370 for pitch detection and analysis involving an array with detectors configured to detect vertical speed of the ball at time of detection in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. In this example, asingle array110A is used having detection devices capable of detecting position, height, vertical speed and time of detection. Vertical speed, in this example, means the speed of the ball relative to the detector. For example, as mentioned above, a Doppler shift of the reflected beam relative to the detection beam may be utilized to determine the speed of the ball as it sinks or rises relative to the detector. At372, this data is detected when the ball passes overarray110A. At374, the sinking or rising speed of the ball is determined from this information. At376, the sinking or rising speed results are used along with position and height to determine a three dimensional pitch path angle or vector. At378, the three dimensional pitch path angle or vector is used to determine intersection of the ball with the strike volume for the pitch result. At379, the pitch result, sinking or rising speed, and the three dimensional pitch path vector are displayed.
• FIG. 11 is a control flow diagram illustrating another example of aprocess380 for pitch detection and analysis involving twoarrays110A and110B, where thedetectors122A-G are configured to capture height, vertical speed and the time of detection, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. At382 and384,arrays110A and110B capture this data. At390,analysis system210 calculates the pitch path vector at each array and then, from the two vectors, calculates a three dimensional pitch path curve, e.g. from a change in vector direction, a curve can be inferred. The pitch path curve may be utilized to determine intersection with the strike zone volume, as described above. At392, the speed of the pitch is determined from the time difference between the detection events atarrays110A and110B along with the displacement distance D1 between the arrays. At394, sinking or rising speed is determined from the vertical speed data. At396, this data is displayed.
• FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an arrangement ofpitch detection arrays400 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. In this example, afirst detector array110A is arranged along a leading edge ofhome plate10 and second andthird arrays110D and110E are arranged along the angled rear edges ofhome plate10 so that the arrays are able to detect a ball path acrosshome plate10 when it encounters the leading edge and one of the rear edges.
• FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a home plate460 with embeddedpitch detection arrays470A,470B and470C in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In the example ofFIG. 14, the detector devices for the arrays are embedded in a home plate body or material along the leading and rear edges of home plate460.
• The processes described above, such asProcess260 ofFIG. 7 may be implemented to process path data collected byarrays110D and110E or470A,470B and470E in order to analyze pitches, such as determining pitch result, pitch angle or speed. Note that additional detectors may be arranged along the side edges ofhome plate10 inFIG. 13 or embedded in the side edges of home plate460 and the processes implemented to utilize this data as well in analyzing pitches.
• As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, different features may be combined or excluded without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, the present pitch detection and analysis examples may be adapted to utilize other types of detector arrays, such as a rotating laser detector, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, the system, apparatus, methods, processes and/or operations for pitch detection and analysis may be wholly or partially implemented in the form of a set of instructions executed by one or more programmed computer processors, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor. Such processors may be incorporated in an apparatus, server, client or other computing device operated by, or in communication with, other components of the system.
• As an example,FIG. 14 depicts aspects of elements that may be present in a computer device and/orsystem500 configured to implement a method and/or process in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The subsystems shown inFIG. 12 are interconnected via asystem bus502. Additional subsystems include aprinter504, akeyboard506, a fixeddisk508, and a monitor510, which is coupled to adisplay adapter512. Peripherals and input/output (I/O) devices, which couple to an I/O controller514, can be connected to the computer system by any number of means known in the art, such as aserial port516. For example, theserial port516 or anexternal interface518 can be utilized to connect thecomputer device500 to further devices and/or systems not shown inFIG. 14 including a wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device, and/or a scanner. The interconnection via thesystem bus502 allows one ormore processors520 to communicate with each subsystem and to control the execution of instructions that may be stored in asystem memory522 and/or the fixeddisk508, as well as the exchange of information between subsystems. Thesystem memory522 and/or the fixed disk408 may embody a tangible computer-readable medium.
• It should be understood that the present invention as described above can be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software.
• Any of the software components, processes or functions described in this application may be implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ or Perl or using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readable medium may reside on or within a single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network.
• All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and/or were set forth in its entirety herein.
• The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “having,” “including,” “containing” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed as open-ended terms (e.g., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely indented to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value inclusively falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation to the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to each embodiment of the present invention.
• Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and subcombinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (32)

We claim:

1. A pitch detection system for use in detecting strikes, the system comprising a first linear array, the array having:

a base member having a linear length that is at least the length of a front edge of a home plate for positioning adjacent the front edge of the home plate; and

multiple detection devices, each detection device coupled to the base member along the linear length of the base member and including a emitter for producing a detection beam and a detector for receiving reflected energy of the detection beam to detect an object.

2. The pitch detection system ofclaim 1, where each detection device further includes an indicator for indicating that the detector has detected an object.

3. The pitch detection system ofclaim 1, where the detection devices of the first array further include a communication interface to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object and the system further includes an analysis system configured to communicate with the detection devices.

4. The pitch detection system ofclaim 3, where the analysis system is further configured to:

determine a pitch result from the position of the detected object; and

display the pitch result.

5. The pitch detection system ofclaim 3, where:

the system further includes a second array of detection devices configured to be positioned at a known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position and detection time to the analysis system;

the first array of detection devices is further configured to communicate detection time to the analysis system; and

the analysis system is further configured to:

determine a pitch speed from the detection time at the first array, the detection time at the second array, and the known distance from home plate of the second array and display the pitch speed.

6. The pitch detection system ofclaim 3, where:

the system further includes a second array of detection devices configured to be positioned at a known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position to the analysis system; and

the analysis system is further configured to:

determine a pitch path from the detection position at the first array and the detection position at the second array,

determine an intersection of the pitch path with a strike zone volume of the home plate in order to obtain a pitch result, and

display the pitch result and the pitch path.

7. The pitch detection system ofclaim 6, where:

the system further includes a third array of detection devices configured to be positioned at another known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position to the analysis system; and

the analysis system is further configured to:

determine the pitch path from the detection positions at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a two dimensional curved pitch path, and

determine the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the two dimensional curved pitch path.

8. The pitch detection system ofclaim 6, where:

the detection devices of the first and second arrays are further configured to detect and communicate a detection height;

the system further includes a third array of detection devices configured to detect an object and communicate detection position and detection height to the analysis system and the third array is configured to be positioned at another known distance from home plate; and

the analysis system is further configured to:

determine the pitch path from the detection positions and heights at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and

determine the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path.

9. The pitch detection system ofclaim 6, where:

the detection devices of the first and second arrays are further configured to detect and communicate a detection height and a detection vertical speed; and

the analysis system is further configured to:

determine the pitch path from the detection positions, heights and vertical speeds at the first and second arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and

determine the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path.

10. The pitch detection system ofclaim 3, where:

the detection devices of the first array are further configured to detect and communicate detection height and detection vertical speed; and

the analysis system is further configured to:

determine sinking speed of the pitch from the detection vertical speed;

determine a pitch vector from the sinking speed, detected position and detect height, and

determine the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the pitch vector.

11. The pitch detection system ofclaim 1, where the base member is a portion of the home plate and the multiple detection devices are embedded in the home plate along the front edge of the home plate.

12. The pitch detection system ofclaim 1, where the system further includes a second array of detection devices configured to be positioned adjacent to a rear edge of the home plate.

13. The pitch detection system ofclaim 12, where the detection devices of the first and second arrays further include a communication interface to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object and the system further includes an analysis system configured to communicate with the detection devices and determine a pitch result from the position of the detected object.

14. The pitch detection system ofclaim 13, where the base member is a portion of the home plate and the multiple detection devices of the first array are embedded in the home plate along the front edge of the home plate and the multiple detection devices of the second array are embedded in the home plate along the rear edge of the home plate.

15. A method for pitch detection for use in detecting strikes, the method comprising:

providing a first linear array having a base member having a linear length that is at least the length of a front edge of a home plate and including multiple detection devices, each detection device coupled to the base member along the linear length of the base member and including a emitter for producing a detection beam and a detector for receiving reflected energy of the detection beam to detect an object; and

positioning the first linear array adjacent the front edge of a home plate.

16. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 15, where each detection device further includes an indicator for indicating that the detector has detected an object.

17. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 15, where the detection devices of the first array further include a communication interface to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object and the method further includes providing an analysis system for communicating with the detection devices.

18. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 17, where the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:

determining a pitch result from the position of the detected object; and

displaying the pitch result.

19. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 17, where the method includes:

providing a second array of detection devices positioned at a known distance from home plate, detecting an object at the second array and communicating the detection position and detection time to the analysis system;

the first array of detection devices is further configured to communicate detection time to the analysis system; and

where the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:

determining a pitch speed from the detection time at the first array, the detection time at the second array, and the known distance from home plate of the second array and displaying the pitch speed.

20. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 17, where the method further includes:

providing a second array of detection devices positioned at a known distance from home plate, detecting an object at the second array and communicating the detection position to the analysis system; and

the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:

determining a pitch path from the detection position at the first array and the detection position at the second array,

determining an intersection of the pitch path with a strike zone volume of the home plate in order to obtain a pitch result, and

displaying the pitch result and the pitch path.

21. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 20, where the method further includes:

providing a third array of detection devices positioned at another known distance from home plate, detecting an object at the third array and communicating the detection position to the analysis system; and

the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:

determining the pitch path from the detection positions at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a two dimensional curved pitch path, and

determining the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the two dimensional curved pitch path.

22. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 20, where the method further includes:

configuring the detection devices of the first and second arrays to detect and communicate a detection height;

the system further providing a third array of detection devices positioned at another known distance from home plate for detecting an object and communicating detection position and detection height to the analysis system; and

the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:

determining the pitch path from the detection positions and heights at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and

determining the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path.

23. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 20, where:

configuring the detection devices of the first and second arrays to detect and communicate a detection height and a detection vertical speed; and

the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:

determining the pitch path from the detection positions, heights and vertical speeds at the first and second arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and

determining the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path.

24. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 20, where:

configuring the detection devices of the first array to detect and communicate detection height and detection vertical speed; and

the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:

determining sinking speed of the pitch from the detection vertical speed;

determining a pitch vector from the sinking speed, detected position and detect height, and

determining the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the pitch vector.

25. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 17, the method further including embedding the multiple detection devices along the front edge of a home plate.

26. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 17, the method further including providing a second array of detection devices positioned adjacent to a rear edge of the home plate.

27. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 26, the method further including:

configuring the detection devices of the first and second arrays to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object; and

providing an analysis system for communicating with the detection devices and determining a pitch result from the position of the detected object.

28. The method for pitch detection ofclaim 27, the method further including embedding the multiple detection devices of the first array along the front edge of a home plate and embedding the multiple detection devices of the second array along the rear edge of the home plate.

27. A pitch detection apparatus for detecting strikes, the apparatus comprising:

means for detecting a first position of an object when the object passes a front edge of a home plate; and

means for determining whether the object has intersected a strike zone volume above the home plate.

28. The pitch detection apparatus ofclaim 27, the apparatus further comprising:

means for detecting a second position of an object when thrown towards the home plate; and

the means for determining whether the object has intersected a strike zone volume above the home plate utilizes the second position and includes means for determining pitch speed and pitch path.

29. The pitch detection apparatus ofclaim 28, the apparatus further comprising:

means for detecting a third position of an object when thrown towards the home plate; and

the means for determining pitch speed and pitch path is further configured to utilize the third position for determining pitch path.

30. The pitch detection apparatus ofclaim 28, wherein:

the means for detecting a first position of an object and the means for detecting a second position of an object are each further configured to determine a height of the object when detected; and

the means for determining pitch speed and pitch path is further configured to utilize the height at the first position and the height at the second position in determining pitch path.

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