It looks like ESPN is bringing in some cool new technology to the home run derby broadcast:
The new ability to display multiple home run icons on the screen at the same time will provide a visual recap of all home runs hit in previous at-bat(s) by a single competitor or hit by all competitors in a round;
New technology will display a slugger’s “wheelhouse” after at-bats by superimposing images of every home run swing at the point of contact;
On-screen graphics will almost immediately mark the exact landing distance of a home run baseball from home plate with a display of the projected distance the ball would have traveled had it not been impeded;
The telecast will also integrate ESPN Ball Track Technology with a virtual spray chart of home runs after participants have finished their at-bats.
The last few years I was tempted not to watch the derby, as it really drags on. I hope the changes to the rules help, but it would also be good if they dropped the player interviews between rounds. Let a player bat, go to commercial, let the next guy bat. Interview the winner at the end.
Anyone have a HR Derby drinking game? This might work:
- Sip for a home run
- Sip every time Chris Berman says “Back, back, back”
- Three sips for a “Back, back, back that does not result in a home run
- Chug for a golden ball home run
- Big gulp when John Kruk talks about food.
- Chug when someone who has nothing to do with baseball is interviewed and ESPN ignores the batter.
🙂