But the inside is packed with the same technology used in smartphones, which gives pitchers and coaches an instant readout on the ball’s speed and rotation. To use the balls, pitchers just throw normally to a catcher. “I joined the company to develop the ball.”The technology combines two of Japan’s passions: baseball and smartphone parts. The same gizmos are the ones that show a ball’s speed and rotation. Acrodea said some Major Baseball League teams showed interest in buying its smart ball, while several Japanese professional baseball teams began using it this month.

Source: Wall Street Journal November 23, 2017 17:26 UTC