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How does an outfielder know where to run for a fly ball?
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology ^ | 21-Jan-2010 | Jessie Williams

Posted on 01/22/2010 3:20:48 AM PST by Pharmboy

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Rather than a hot stove league report, perhaps a Bunsen burner league report...
1 posted on 01/22/2010 3:20:48 AM PST by Pharmboy
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To: thefactor; GOP_Raider; mainepatsfan; neverdem; blam; SunkenCiv

This is a baseball ping, but since I do not know the baseball fans here (other than thefactor), this is more random.


2 posted on 01/22/2010 3:23:16 AM PST by Pharmboy (The Stone Age did not end because they ran out of stones...)
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To: Pharmboy

The catch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dK6zPbkFnE


3 posted on 01/22/2010 3:24:54 AM PST by Woebama (Never, never, never quit)
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To: Pharmboy

Shoot, I dunno......I’ve always just run to where I think the ball is headed is all. Usually can catch it, too. :) No rocket science.


4 posted on 01/22/2010 3:26:48 AM PST by RightOnline
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To: Woebama

Thanks for that...I was a grade-schooler then, but remember it well when it happened. That’s all we talked about on my Brooklyn street for a while.


5 posted on 01/22/2010 3:31:50 AM PST by Pharmboy (The Stone Age did not end because they ran out of stones...)
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To: RightOnline

True enough...more like brain surgery than rocket science. What is fascinating to me is that the fielder likely takes in the sound of the ball on the bat to unconsciously make the decision.


6 posted on 01/22/2010 3:33:45 AM PST by Pharmboy (The Stone Age did not end because they ran out of stones...)
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To: Pharmboy
Physics rules!


7 posted on 01/22/2010 3:40:07 AM PST by Daffynition (What's all this about hellfire and Dalmatians?)
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To: Pharmboy

You run until the ball stops drifting left or right (bearing) then you work on distance (range). Not rocket science. the range problem is harder than the bearing problem.


8 posted on 01/22/2010 3:42:36 AM PST by central_va ( http://www.15thvirginia.org/)
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To: Pharmboy

This is what you get when geeks try to understand jocks.


9 posted on 01/22/2010 3:45:50 AM PST by pgyanke (You have no "rights" that require an involuntary burden on another person. Period. - MrB)
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To: Pharmboy

The best outfielder I ever played with knew where to stand just before the ball was hit. He never had to do much running.


10 posted on 01/22/2010 3:47:59 AM PST by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: Pharmboy

I bet you talked about it. I get excited when my team wins the series as an adult family man. As a boy . . . it is even better.


11 posted on 01/22/2010 3:49:26 AM PST by Woebama (Never, never, never quit)
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To: Pharmboy

I played right field mostly, and I could always get a jump on the direction of the ball before the batter actually hit it, based on the pitch location and the swing. I don’t know why, I just could. I can still tell if a football is on target the second it leaves the quarterbacks hand, and whether a basketball is going in the second it leaves your hands. I have no idea why, but I’ve always had these senses.


12 posted on 01/22/2010 3:50:06 AM PST by Edgar3 (America is suffering from "Sorosis" of the Presidency)
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To: pgyanke

Yes. I remember when baseball used to be FUN!


13 posted on 01/22/2010 3:50:20 AM PST by ARepublicanForAllReasons (Give 'em hell, Sarah!)
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To: Pharmboy

Why do I get the feeling that a multi-million dollar Govt grant is involved here?


14 posted on 01/22/2010 3:53:31 AM PST by orlop9
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To: central_va

I think it works in phases programed in the mind...To really get the answer play frisbee with a frisbee catching dog some day. I’d swear you’d think that he’s zeroing in by smell.

You first run in the general vicinity as the trajectory dictates, then adjust as you get closer taken into account the memory of drift that occurs when eg a right batter hit the ball to right field off of a left hand pitcher.

Over time it becomes second nature.

You see it in little league. Some kids have natural ability to hone in on flies, some don’t as much.


15 posted on 01/22/2010 3:58:53 AM PST by nikos1121 (Praying for minus 24 today....at least minus 23...)
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To: Pharmboy

“Rather than predicting the landing point, the fielder might continuously track the visual motion of the ball, letting it lead him to the right place at the right time,” Warren said.”

GNS.

And this load cost how much? You could have developed this for free by going out to shag some flies.


16 posted on 01/22/2010 4:07:00 AM PST by Adder (Proudly ignoring Zero since 1-20-09! WTFU!)
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To: Pharmboy

Obviously no one consulted Manny Ramirez.


17 posted on 01/22/2010 4:16:47 AM PST by muir_redwoods (Obama: The Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers)
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To: Pharmboy
This is amazing: Great baseball catch by a girl
18 posted on 01/22/2010 4:22:27 AM PST by Brugmansian
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To: Brugmansian

I hate to ruin it for you, but that was faked. :)


19 posted on 01/22/2010 4:24:47 AM PST by Libertarian4Bush (if you voted for obama, I have no respect for you. you're either a loser or a sucker. sorry!)
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To: Pharmboy

That blows by theory of outfielders having some sort of ball magnet under their cap, ala Conseco.


20 posted on 01/22/2010 4:27:33 AM PST by WinMod70
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