How Technology Has Changed the Way We Watch Sports
It’s no secret that technology has touched every facet of our lives, from dating to gambling to how we keep tabs on our weight. There is no surprise then that technology has revolutionized the world of sports. Imagine, there is barely any videotape available from the first Superbowl! Now you could Google any game and watch it on YouTube or the channel it originally aired on. Sports technology has been growing for decades to include the amazing innovations we have today. Below we give examples of how technology has changed the way we watch sports.
High Definition Television as Sports Technology
The quality of the graphics, visual aids and statistics of a sporting event viewed on a high definition television are rivaled only by going to the game in person. Even then, you don’t get the extreme close ups and surround sound. It has been suggested that high definition television has been responsible for declining ticket sales. It’s not surprising since you can get such an amazing view of the game without paying for tickets, buying expensive snacks and having to wait in line for the bathroom!
Mobile Sports Technology
Sports broadcasting companies now offer bundling of sports that can be viewed through several devices with the same account. Get on-demand coverage by watching through your cable provider, as well as login to a smartphone or tablet to get the same material. Watch a variety of sports as long as you are connected to the Internet, from anywhere in the world at any time of day from your mobile device or a Smart TV.
Statcast Technology for Baseball Games
Statcast is a revolutionary new technology for baseball games that collects data over a series of high-resolution optical cameras and radar equipment. These cameras track the precise motions and location of the baseball along with every player on the field. This results in a comprehensive list of stats from the acceleration and speed of the ball, time from throw to catch, speed of throws and route efficiency. Viewers additionally see a report of the base runners’ reaction times, hitters’ exit velocities and launch angle measurements. In general, every movement that takes place from the pitcher, batter and all other players gets measured, then reported on the screen. More than 30 Major League ballparks have adopted Statcast and managers are using it as a training tool with players.
Social Media
Sites like Twitter and Facebook have made it so you’re never watching the game alone. People can post and Tweet in real time as the events of the game unfold and comment back and forth. Social media and blogging allow for columnists, athletes, beat writers and the fans to engage in discourse. Players especially get a chance to speak to their fans directly, although sometimes this can get messy. Regardless, it is amazing to think what times would have been like if Babe Ruth could Tweet what was on his mind back in the day.
