JP2019196930A - Ball speed measuring device and ball speed measurement method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a ball speed measuring device allowing a player to directly and visually observing a ball speed by automatically measuring a ball speed without any need for operation during a game utilizing a normal ball in a baseball game or a softball game.SOLUTION: In a baseball game or a softball game, a ball speed measuring device detects that a pivoting foot 6 of a pitcher 3 is separated from a pitcher plate 7 provided in a pitcher mound and detects that a catcher 4 catches a ball 5 thrown by the pitcher 3, thus measuring time until the catcher 4 catches the ball 5 after the pivoting foot 6 of the pitcher 3 is separated from the pitcher plate 7, and automatically measuring a ball speed of a ball pitched by the pitcher 3 on the basis of distance from the predetermined pitcher plate 7 to the catcher 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball speed measuring device and a ball speed measuring method for easily measuring the ball speed of a ball thrown by a pitcher, for example, in baseball and softball competitions.

  Baseball and softball are one of the most popular sports in Japan, and baseball is especially popular among youth baseball, student baseball, grass baseball, and professional baseball. One of the factors that draws interest in competition is the speed of the pitcher's thrown ball in professional baseball and high school baseball. It is assumed that there are many requests to know the ball speed of pitchers thrown even in grass baseball and youth baseball.

  In grass baseball and juvenile baseball, as a device for measuring the ball speed of a pitcher's throwing ball, a handy type speed gun using a Doppler sensor (for example, see Patent Document 1) or a ball speed measurement with a measuring device built in the ball. There is a ball (for example, see Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3).

  The speed gun irradiates the ball, which is the object to be measured, with microwaves and measures the reflected waves. When the object is moving with respect to the microwave traveling direction, the frequency of the reflected wave changes due to the Doppler effect, so the speed of the object is calculated by comparing the frequency of the reflected wave and the emitted wave. Can do. The calculated ball speed is displayed on the speed gun body.

  Also, the ball speed measurement ball detects the impact at the time of throwing and the impact at the time of catching with a sensor built in the ball, calculates the ball speed based on the time difference at which the impact was detected, and the calculated ball speed is stored in the ball speed measurement ball body. To display.

JP 2013-223791 A Japanese Patent Application No. 10-7849 Japanese Patent Application No. 11-92

  However, the present inventor has realized that people who want to enjoy baseball and the like as entertainment cannot use the conventional ball speed measuring device easily.

  More specifically, it is as follows.

  The speed gun captures all objects moving in the traveling direction of the microwave as the measurement object, so there is a possibility that the movement of the pitcher's body or arm other than the ball thrown by the pitcher is erroneously measured as the ball speed. is there. Therefore, in order to measure only the ball thrown by the pitcher in the speed gun, the speed gun operator visually confirms that the pitcher has thrown the ball, and then operates the speed gun trigger switch. The ball speed measurement is started. For this reason, the measurement of the ball speed with a speed gun requires the operation of a measurer other than the competitor.

  In addition, the ball speed measuring ball has a mechanism such as a sensor and a microprocessor inside the ball, and has a strength and a repulsive force that can withstand a normal baseball game such as hitting in addition to the bias of the center of gravity. Since it cannot be used as a competition ball, the ball speed cannot be measured during the competition.

  In addition, it was impossible for the athlete to visually confirm the ball speed of the speed gun. And since the ball speed measurement ball | bowl confirms the measured ball speed visually, it was necessary to take out the ball speed measurement ball | bowl which caught the ball from the ball catch mitt. Also, the pitcher could not directly check the ball speed.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a ball speed measuring device and a ball speed measuring method that can be easily used by people who want to enjoy baseball as entertainment.

A first aspect of the present invention is a ball speed measuring device for measuring a ball speed of a ball thrown by a pitcher,
First detecting means for detecting a change in movement of the pivot foot when the ball is thrown;
A second detection means for detecting that a catcher has caught the pitched ball;
Based on the first detection result of the first detection means and the second detection result of the second detection means, time-related information related to the time from the start of pitching until the catcher catches the ball is obtained. Time-related information acquisition means to acquire;
A ball speed calculating means for calculating the ball speed of the ball thrown by the pitcher based on a predetermined pitch distance and the time-related information;
A ball speed display means for displaying the calculated ball speed;
A ball speed measuring device comprising:

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first detecting means is a plate-like member that can be installed close to a front portion of the pitcher plate and on which the pitcher can place the shaft foot. It is a ball speed measuring device of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the change in the movement of the axle foot is a change in load due to the axle foot,
Said 1st detection means has a load sensor which detects the said change of the said load, It is the ball speed measuring apparatus of the 1st or 2nd this invention characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The fourth aspect of the present invention is the ball speed measuring device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the second detection means is configured to be attachable to an arm on a catching side of the catcher.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ball speed measuring device according to the first or fourth aspect of the present invention, the second detection means has an impact sensor for detecting an impact when the catcher catches the ball. is there.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the second detection result is not obtained within a predetermined period after the first detection result is obtained, the time-related information obtaining means is obtained when the first detection result is obtained. The ball speed measuring device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the detection result is not used.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is a ball speed measuring method for measuring a ball speed of a ball thrown by a pitcher,
A first detection step of detecting a change in movement of the pitcher's axle when the ball is thrown;
A second detection step of detecting that a catcher has caught the pitched ball;
Based on the first detection result of the first detection step and the second detection result of the second detection step, time-related information related to the time from when the pitching is started until the catcher catches the ball is obtained. A time-related information acquisition step to be acquired;
A ball speed calculating step for calculating the ball speed of the ball thrown by the pitcher based on a predetermined pitch distance and the time-related information;
A ball speed display step for displaying the calculated ball speed;
It is a ball speed measuring method characterized by comprising.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ball speed measuring device and a ball speed measuring method that can be easily used by people who want to enjoy baseball and the like as entertainment.

Use explanatory drawing of the ball speed measuring apparatus of embodiment in this invention Block diagram of a ball speed measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention The typical exploded perspective view of tread 1 of an embodiment in the present invention Typical top view of catching detector 2 of an embodiment in the present invention Use explanatory drawing of the ball catching detector 2 of embodiment in this invention (A) Use explanatory drawing (the 1) of the step board 1 of embodiment in this invention, (b) Use explanatory view (the 2) of the step board 1 of embodiment in this invention Flowchart of tread 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of the ball catching detector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a ball speed measuring device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration and operation of the ball speed measuring device of the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the use of the ball speed measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the ball speed measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Fig. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the tread 1 of the form, Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of the ball catching detector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a ball catching according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams for use of the detector 2, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams for use of the tread board 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention (first and second).

  The tread board 1 is an example of means including the first detection means of the present invention. The catch detector 2 is an example of means including the second detection means of the present invention. The calculation unit 13 is an example of means including time-related information acquisition means of the present invention and ball speed calculation means of the present invention. The ball speed display unit 15 is an example of means including the ball speed display means of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1 which is an overall view showing a preferred embodiment of a ball speed measuring device, the ball speed measuring device of the present embodiment is a pitch detection installed in the vicinity of a pitcher plate 7 provided in a pitcher mound. A tread 1 that realizes the means, and a ball catching detector 2 that is mounted on the catching-side arm 23 of the catcher 4 and that implements a ball catching detecting means, a pitching time measuring means, and a ball speed calculating means.

  FIG. 2, which is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the ball speed measuring device, illustrates the elements and correlations that make up the tread board 1 and the catch detector 2. The tread board 1 includes a load sensor 9 and a wireless module 11 that transmits a load detection signal 8. The ball catching detector 2 includes an impact sensor 12, a wireless module 14 that receives the load detection signal 8, a ball speed display unit 15 that displays the measured ball speed, and a calculation unit 13 that controls them.

  FIG. 3 which is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the tread board in the pitch detection means shows the structure of the tread board 1. The tread 1 includes two plates, an upper tread 16 and a lower tread 17. The load sensor 9 is attached to the central upper surface of the lower tread 17 and has a structure sandwiched between the upper tread 16 and the lower tread 17. A case 18 containing the wireless module 11 is housed in the internal space of the lower tread plate 17, and the wireless module 11 and the load sensor 9 are connected by a lead wire. With this structure, when the pitcher 3 loads the upper tread 16 with the shaft foot 6, the load sensor 9 is loaded by the load rubber bush 19 attached to the center of the upper tread 16. When the pitching operation is not being performed, the upper tread 16 is supported by the supporting rubber bushes 20 attached to the four corners between the upper tread 16 and the lower tread 17 so that the load sensor 9 is not loaded. Yes. The tread board 1 is simply fixed to the ground surface with a spike or the like, and can be easily installed on a general ground. Further, it is desirable to cover the upper portion of the tread board 1 with artificial turf or the like so that the tread board 1 does not hinder the movement of the shaft foot 6 during the pitching operation. The load sensor 9 may be a PTF (Polymer Thick Film) device, but may be a simple contact switch as long as the load change of the pitcher 3 can be detected. In the present embodiment, the tread plate 1 in which the load sensor 9 is incorporated is configured separately from the pitcher plate 7, but may be configured integrally with the pitcher plate 7.

  Next, FIG. 4, which is an internal configuration diagram of the ball catching detector, is an internal configuration diagram of the ball catching detector 2, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a mounting location of the ball catching detector. FIG. The ball catching detector 2 includes an impact sensor 12, a calculation unit 13, a ball speed display unit 15, a battery 21, and a voltage regulator 22. These are built in the case and fixed to the wrist part of the arm 23 on the catching side of the catcher 4 by the wristband 24 as shown in FIG. 5, and the impact when the catcher 4 catches the ball 5 is detected by the impact sensor 12. I can do it. An acceleration sensor may be used as the impact sensor 12, but other sensors may be used as long as they can detect the impact. In addition, the ball catching detector 2 is configured integrally with a ball speed display unit 15 so that the measured ball speed can be easily visually confirmed.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment during actual pitching will be described. 6 (a) and 6 (b), which are views (Nos. 1 and 2) showing the load on the tread board in the pitching operation of the pitcher, FIG. 6 (a) on the left side shows FIG. b) shows the pitcher action at the moment when the ball 5 is thrown. Under the rules of baseball and softball competition, the pitcher 3 needs to start the pitching operation while touching the pitcher plate 7, so the pitcher 3 is in front of the pitcher plate 7 as shown in FIG. A load is applied to the front part of the pitcher plate 7 with the shaft foot 6 in contact with the side surface of the part. Accordingly, the tread board 1 laid on the front portion of the pitcher plate 7 is loaded by the shaft foot 6 of the pitcher 3. Thereafter, in order to throw the ball as fast as possible, the pitcher 3 performs an instantaneous weight shift in the throwing direction. As shown in FIG. 6 (b) on the right side, the load by the shaft foot 6 on the tread board 1 is instantaneously released along with the weight shift. By detecting the load change due to the pitching operation with the load sensor 9, it is possible to detect that the shaft foot 6 of the pitcher 3 has moved away from the pitcher plate 7 and that the pitcher 3 has pitched the ball 5. The measurement value of the load sensor 9 is sequentially transmitted by the wireless module 11.

  The ball catching detector 2 monitors the change in the measurement value of the load detection signal 8 and, when detecting that the load has been released, checks the measurement value of the impact sensor 12 for a certain period of time. When the catcher 4 catches the ball 5 thrown by the pitcher 3, the catcher 4 is attached to the catching arm 23 of the catcher 4 so as not to obstruct the catching action, which is fixed by the wristband 24 due to the impact at the time of catching. Since an impact is applied to the impact sensor 12 of the possible catching detector 2, it is possible to know the timing of catching by detecting this impact as a change in the measured value.

  The computing unit 13 of the ball catching detector 2 measures the time difference (seconds) between the timing at which the load detection signal 8 having a measurement value other than zero is received last and the timing at which the ball was caught, and the pitcher plate 7 and the catcher 4 The ball 5's ball speed (km / h) is calculated by dividing the movement distance of the ball 5 determined in advance based on the distance (meter) between them and dividing it by the above time difference and converting it to hourly speed. The moving distance of the ball 5 is defined as 18.44 (≈18.4) meters as the distance from the center of the front edge of the pitcher plate 7 to the sharp tip of the pentagonal shape of the home base. 4 based on the distance between the wireless module 11 and the delay time of transmission / reception of the load detection signal 8 by the wireless module 11 and the wireless module 14, and based on the actual measurement result of the test, adjusted to the wireless module to be used Determine an appropriate value. The distance between the pitcher plate 7 and the catcher 4 may be changed according to the competition rules such as boy baseball, softball, and sex.

  Sending and receiving the load detection signal 8 indicating the timing at which the pitcher 3 has thrown the ball 5 without delay is important for accurately measuring the ball speed of the ball 5. However, in general communication, it takes a certain time to establish a communication path, and it is not always easy to transmit and receive the load detection signal 8 without delay. Therefore, when the pitcher 3 steps on the tread board 1, the communication path is immediately established, and the load detection signal 8 indicating the timing when the load on the shaft foot 6 is lost is transmitted without delay in the state where the communication path is established, In order to reduce power consumption, it is desirable to quickly disconnect the communication path after a certain period of time has elapsed after the load on the axle 6 has been removed. Of course, when it takes less time to establish the communication path, the timing for establishing the communication path may be slightly delayed in order to reduce power consumption, or the timing at which the load on the axle foot 6 is eliminated. Only the load detection signal 8 may be transmitted in an impulse manner.

  The calculated ball speed of the ball 5 is displayed on the ball speed display unit 15 for a certain period of time. The catcher can check the displayed ball speed until the caught ball 5 is returned to the pitcher. The display time is preferably about 10 seconds.

  Further, by using the wireless module 14 as a transmission unit, the ball speed of the ball 5 can be transmitted as the ball speed transmission means. The external ball speed display device is equipped with a mechanism for receiving the ball speed transmitted wirelessly and a mechanism for displaying the ball speed, so that the ball speed display unit 15 can be replaced or used together. By making the mechanism for displaying the ball speed of the external device large and installing it in a place where it is easy to see the ground, it is possible for many athletes and spectators of the competition to visually check the ball speed. In addition, a wireless transmission mechanism compatible with wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark) is attached to the ball catching detector 2 as a transmission unit, and by transmitting ball speed information, smartphones and tablet terminals can also be connected to external ball speed display devices. You can also In this case, an application program that receives the ball speed and displays the ball speed on the screen is operated in a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

  In the present embodiment, since the change in the movement of the pivot foot 6 of the pitcher 3 is a change in the load due to the pivot foot 6, the first detection means of the present invention can be installed close to the front portion of the pitcher plate 7. The pitcher 3 is a plate-like member on which the shaft foot 6 can be placed, and is realized as a unit having a load sensor 9 that detects a change in load. The second detection means of the present invention is a catching ball of the catcher 4. The unit can be mounted on the arm 23 on the side, and is realized as a unit having an impact sensor 12 for detecting an impact when the catcher 4 catches the ball 5.

  Instead of detection by the load sensor 9 and the impact sensor 12, detection by an image analysis system may be used.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the ball speed measuring device according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference mainly to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the tread board 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the ball catching detector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  While describing the operation of the ball speed measuring device of the present embodiment, the ball speed measuring method of the present invention will also be described.

  Initial setting for the pitch detection operation of the tread board 1 is performed (step S1), and initial setting for the ball detection operation of the ball catching detector 2 is also performed (step S11).

  The first detection step for detecting a change in the movement of the pivot foot 6 of the pitcher 3 when the ball 5 is thrown will be described as follows.

  The calculating part 10 of the tread board 1 acquires a value from the load sensor 9 which is a pressure sensor (step S2), and judges whether the tread board 1 is loaded (step S3).

  When the tread board 1 is not loaded, the calculation unit 10 obtains a value again from the load sensor 9 (step S2). When the tread board 1 is loaded, the load detection signal is a non-zero measured value. The pitch detection signal which is 8 is set (step S4), the pitch detection signal is transmitted (step S5), and the value is acquired again from the load sensor 9 (step S2).

  Based on the second detection step of detecting that the catcher 4 has caught the pitched ball 5, the first detection result of the first detection step, and the second detection result of the second detection step, after pitching is started The ball speed of the ball 5 thrown by the pitcher 3 based on the time-related information acquisition step for acquiring the time-related information related to the time until the catcher 4 catches the ball 5, the predetermined pitching distance and the time-related information. The ball speed calculating step for calculating the ball speed and the ball speed displaying step for displaying the calculated ball speed will be described as follows.

  The calculation unit 13 of the ball catching detector 2 determines whether or not a pitching detection signal is received (step S12).

  When the pitch detection signal is received, the calculation unit 13 sets the current time in the storage area inside the calculation unit 13 (step S13), and acquires the value of the impact sensor 12 that is an acceleration sensor. Is performed (step S14), and it is determined whether or not the value of the impact sensor 12 exceeds the threshold value (step S15). If no pitch detection signal is received, the current time is not set. Thus, the value of the impact sensor 12 is acquired (step S14), and it is determined whether or not the value of the impact sensor 12 exceeds the threshold value (step S15).

  When the value of the impact sensor 12 does not exceed the threshold value, the calculation unit 13 determines again whether or not the pitch detection signal is received (step S12), and the value of the impact sensor 12 is determined. If the threshold value is exceeded, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time after the pitching detection signal is interrupted is less than 1 second (step S16).

  The setting of the current time to the storage area inside the calculation unit 13 here is a process for recognizing the timing at which the load detection signal 8 is received, and the current time used for calculating the ball speed is the impact sensor 12. The time when the value of exceeds the threshold is adopted. In other words, the calculation unit 13 compares the time set in the storage area inside the calculation unit 13 with the current time as the time when the value of the impact sensor 12 exceeds the threshold value. Then, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time after the pitching detection signal is interrupted is less than 1 second.

When the elapsed time since the pitch detection signal is interrupted is not less than 1 second, the arithmetic unit 13 determines again whether or not the pitch detection signal is received (step S12), and the pitch detection signal is interrupted. If the elapsed time from the start is less than 1 second, the calculation of the ball speed is calculated by the formula 3.6 * 18.4 / (current time-throwing detection signal reception time)
(* Represents a multiplication symbol)
(Step S17), and the ball speed is displayed (Step S18).

  The period during which the value of the impact sensor 12 exceeds the threshold is extremely short, so it is regarded as a time point, and the time at such time when the value of the impact sensor 12 exceeds the threshold value is used for calculating the ball speed. Adopted as the current time to be used.

  As described above, the pitch detection signal is the load detection signal 8 having a measurement value that is not zero, and the pitch detection signal reception time here is not zero, which is set in a storage area inside the calculation unit 13. This is the time when the load detection signal 8 of the measured value was last received.

  In the present embodiment, the time-related information is calculated as (current time−throwing detection signal reception time), and is the time from when the pitching is started until the catcher 4 catches the ball 5. The time-related information acquisition means of the invention is configured as a ball catching detector 2 on the receiving side and is realized as a unit having a timepiece for measuring time.

  Instead of measuring the time with a clock for knowing the current time and the pitch detection signal reception time, time measurement with a stopwatch for knowing (current time-throwing detection signal reception time) may be used.

  In short, based on a first detection result that suggests a change in the movement of the pivot foot 6 of the pitcher 3 when the ball 5 is thrown, and a second detection result that suggests that the catcher 4 has caught the pitched ball 5. Thus, time-related information related to the time from when the pitching is started until the catcher 4 catches the ball 5 may be acquired.

  Accordingly, the first detection result is not obtained by using the time or time measured on the receiving side of the ball catching detector 2 but on the side of the tread 1 that is on the transmitting side. The time information such as the time stamp of the detection signal 8 may be used.

  It is desirable that the time-related information is as accurate as possible. However, if the error of (current time-throwing detection signal reception time) is about 10 milliseconds, the ball speed error of the ball 5 is about 1 to 2 kilometers / hour. It is. In the present embodiment, the pitch detection signal reception time, which is the time at which the load detection signal 8 having a measurement value that is not zero, was last received is regarded as the time at which pitching was started, which is the moment of pitching. However, even if the influence of such a look is taken into consideration, the error in the ball speed of the ball 5 is sufficient for the purpose of enjoying playing baseball or the like as entertainment, and hardly exceeds 3 km / hour.

  The moving distance of the ball 5 from the pitcher 3 to the catcher 4 may be set to a fixed value such as 18.4 meters, but the characteristics of the pitcher 3 such as a pitching form, and student baseball, grass baseball, or It may be adjustable according to the type of competition such as professional baseball or softball.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the value of the impact sensor 12 does not exceed the threshold value within a period of 1 second after the pitch detection signal is interrupted, the calculation unit 13 receives the pitch detection signal. Discard time. This is because the time-out process focusing on the fact that the length of the movement period of the ball 5 from the pitcher 3 to the catcher 4 is not realistically exceeded 1 second, even though the pitch has not started, This is because the occurrence of an error operation that is determined to have started can be suppressed. The determination process for suppressing the occurrence of such an error operation may be omitted when simple programming is desired.

  In short, after the first detection result is obtained, if the second detection result is not obtained within a predetermined period, the time-related information acquisition means of the present invention does not use the obtained first detection result. Is desirable.

  In the embodiment of the modified example, in the handy type speed gun using the Doppler sensor, instead of using the conventional trigger switch operation, the load detection signal 8 transmitted from the tread board 1 is used to detect the ball speed. Measurement may be initiated. In the embodiment of such a modification, it is sufficient that the microwave for measuring the reflected wave from the ball 5 is irradiated during a part of the movement period of the ball 5 from the pitcher 3 to the catcher 4. Acquisition of time-related information is not necessary.

  The effects of the present embodiment will be listed and described.

  (1) The pitching detection means of the present embodiment is a tread 1 having a built-in load sensor 9. Thereby, it can be detected that the pitcher 3 has thrown the ball 5.

  (2) The catch detection means of the present embodiment is an impact sensor 12 attached to the arm of the catcher 4 for detecting impact. For this reason, it can be detected that the catcher 4 catches the ball 5.

  (3) The pitching time measuring means of the present embodiment is a ball catching detector 2 that measures the time difference between the pitching timing detected by the pitching detecting means and the pitching timing detected by the catching detection means. It is the calculating part 13 comprised integrally. Thereby, the pitching time can be measured.

  (4) The ball speed measuring means of the present embodiment is an arithmetic unit integrated with the ball catching detector 2 for calculating the ball speed from the pitching time based on the pitching distance from the pitcher plate 7 to the catcher 4 determined in advance. 13. Thereby, the ball speed can be calculated.

  (5) The ball speed display means of the present embodiment is a ball speed display unit 15 that is integrally formed with the ball catching detector 2. Thereby, the catcher 4 which is a player can confirm visually easily.

  (6) The ball speed display means of the present embodiment can transmit the ball speed to an external device. By providing a large ball speed display unit with a character height exceeding 200 mm on the external device, most of the players and the spectators of the game can visually check the ball speed.

As explained above, in baseball and softball competitions,
A pitch detection means for detecting that pitching has been started by detecting that the pitcher's shaft foot has moved away from the pitcher plate provided on the pitcher mound;
A catch detection means for detecting that the catcher has caught the pitched ball;
The time from receiving the load detection signal transmitted from the pitch detection means and the ball detection signal transmitted from the pitch detection means, until the catcher catches the ball after the pitcher's shaft foot is separated from the pitcher plate Pitching time measuring means for measuring
A ball speed calculating means for calculating a ball speed of a ball thrown by the pitcher from a pitching distance from a predetermined pitcher plate to the catcher and a time measured by the pitching time measuring means;
You may comprise the ball speed measuring apparatus which comprises the ball speed display means which displays the calculated ball speed.

  In the pitch detection means, a ball speed measuring device is configured to detect that the pitcher's shaft is separated from the pitcher plate by installing a tread board incorporating a sensor close to the front portion of the pitcher plate. May be.

  In the pitch detection means, the sensor built in the tread board uses a load sensor that detects a load change of the pitcher's shaft foot, and detects a ball speed measurement configured to detect that the pitcher's shaft foot is separated from the pitcher plate. An apparatus may be configured.

  As the catch detection means, a ball speed measuring device having a configuration in which the catcher catches the pitched ball by a sensor attached to the catcher's arm may be configured.

  In the ball catching detection means, the sensor attached to the arm of the catcher uses a shock sensor that detects an impact when the catcher catches the pitched ball, and detects the ball speed. A measuring device may be configured.

  Furthermore, a ball speed measuring device having a configuration in which a transmitter for transmitting the measured ball speed to an external device is provided as the ball speed transmitting means.

  Since the ball speed measurement is passively performed by detecting the pitching motion and the catching motion of the athlete by the pitch detection means and the catching detection means, no operation other than the athlete is required.

  Moreover, since the pitch detection means and the catch detection means do not depend on the ball used in the game, the ball speed can be measured using the game ball.

  The ball speed transmitting means can transmit the ball speed to an external ball speed display unit. For this reason, the player can easily visually check the ball speed by installing the ball speed display unit at an arbitrary place that is easily visible to the player.

  The program of the invention related to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the operations of all or some steps (or processes, operations, actions, etc.) of the above-described ball speed measurement method of the present invention. A program that works in cooperation with a computer.

  Further, the recording medium of the invention related to the present invention causes a computer to execute all or part of all or some of the steps (or processes, operations and actions) of the above-described ball speed measuring method of the present invention. And a computer-readable recording medium in which the read program is used in cooperation with a computer.

  Note that the “part of steps (or process, operation, action, etc.)” described above means one or several of the plurality of steps.

  Further, the above-described “operations of steps (or processes, operations, actions, and the like)” mean all or a part of the operations described above.

  Also, one use form of the program of the invention related to the present invention is a form in which the program is transmitted through a transmission medium such as the Internet, light, radio wave or sound wave, read by a computer, and operates in cooperation with the computer. It may be.

  The recording medium includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and the like.

  The computer is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and may include firmware, an OS (Operating System), and further peripheral devices.

  Note that, as described above, the configuration of the present invention may be realized by software or hardware.

  The ball speed measuring device and the ball speed measuring method according to the present invention can be easily used by people who want to enjoy baseball and the like as entertainment. It is useful for the purpose of being used in a ball speed measuring device and a ball speed measuring method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tread board 2 Catch detector 3 Pitcher 4 Catcher 5 Ball 6 Axle foot 7 Pitcher plate 8 Load detection signal 9 Load sensor 10 Computation part 11 Wireless module 12 Impact sensor 13 Computation part 14 Wireless module 15 Ball speed display part 16 Upper tread board 17 Lower part Tread board 18 Case 19 Rubber bush for load 20 Rubber bush for support 21 Battery 22 Voltage regulator 23 Arm on catch side 24 Wristband

Claims (7)

A ball speed measuring device that measures the speed of a ball thrown by a pitcher,
First detecting means for detecting a change in movement of the pivot foot when the ball is thrown;
A second detection means for detecting that a catcher has caught the pitched ball;
Based on the first detection result of the first detection means and the second detection result of the second detection means, time-related information related to the time from the start of pitching until the catcher catches the ball is obtained. Time-related information acquisition means to acquire;
A ball speed calculating means for calculating the ball speed of the ball thrown by the pitcher based on a predetermined pitch distance and the time-related information;
A ball speed display means for displaying the calculated ball speed;
A ball speed measuring device comprising:   2. The ball speed measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit is a plate-like member that can be installed close to a front portion of the pitcher plate and on which the pitcher can place the shaft foot. . The change in the movement of the axle foot is a change in load due to the axle foot;
The ball speed measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit includes a load sensor that detects the change in the load.   The ball speed measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the second detection unit is configured to be attachable to an arm on a catching side of the catcher.   The ball speed measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the second detection unit includes an impact sensor that detects an impact of the catcher catching the ball.   If the second detection result is not obtained within a predetermined period after the first detection result is obtained, the time-related information acquisition means does not use the obtained first detection result. The ball speed measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein A ball speed measuring method for measuring a ball speed of a ball thrown by a pitcher,
A first detection step of detecting a change in movement of the pitcher's axle when the ball is thrown;
A second detection step of detecting that a catcher has caught the pitched ball;
Based on the first detection result of the first detection step and the second detection result of the second detection step, time-related information related to the time from the start of pitching until the catcher catches the ball is obtained. A time-related information acquisition step to be acquired;
A ball speed calculating step for calculating the ball speed of the ball thrown by the pitcher based on a predetermined pitch distance and the time-related information;
A ball speed display step for displaying the calculated ball speed;
A ball speed measuring method comprising:

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