Fudging radar gun speeds by the home team is weak

by jbox on Jan 14, 2009 2:05 PM PST

I was just reading this article about Trevor Hoffman getting a physical with the Brewers. He said he felt his velocity was up last year after he had bone spurs removed from his elbow. The radar gun apparently showed a slight improvement but then Trevor says this:

"I know the numbers sometimes maybe were fudged at home," Hoffman, 41, said of his mph readings at Petco, "but from what I saw on the road (radar) guns, they were a little better."

I forgot how much this irks me so I'll rant. We know the home team increases the radar gun for the home team and it's been done for years, but it's really a shame. Are the radar gun speeds supposed to psych out the opposing hitters? Why not just increase the batting averages of the home team on the scoreboard too, give the pitchers a scare? Boy that was a very half hearted rant.

I guess you could say that everybody knows the numbers are faked so you should never take them that seriously, but I'd prefer just to see the correct speed and keep the game honest.

Poll

Should Radar Guns show accurate data?

Yes, I think MLB should get Sandy Alderson to study radar guns and provide 7 recommendations

76 votes

Nah, inaccurate statistics is what makes baseball great

13 votes

89 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Radar gun makers

should also be fined $10,000.

Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you? ◔ヮ◔
Uncommon Sportsman :: Absurdity in play

by Axion on Jan 14, 2009 2:10 PM PST reply actions

I agree

and the committee should use that money to further study the issue in detail.

by jbox on Jan 14, 2009 2:10 PM PST up reply actions

"This is outrageous!"

by 'Eaters on Jan 14, 2009 3:44 PM PST reply actions

They need to point the radar guns at

at the fans to determine the projectile speed of our vomit in response to this year’s team.

"Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana"
Groucho Marx

by planetjeffy on Jan 14, 2009 4:23 PM PST reply actions

how hard could it be

to just calibrate the dumb things once or twice a season, and put a little metal seal on it or something, so the MLB Blue Ribbon guys know it hasn’t been tampered with. MLB has their new Gustapo dept, seems to me like the perfect thing for them to check on regularly.

Unless its the scoreboard operators dialing it up and down, then if so, yes, they should have their children taken away.

552

by wrveres on Jan 15, 2009 12:35 AM PST reply actions