Dr. Gray said this is an illusion caused by misjudging the ball's speed. If you expect the ball to be at a certain height when it reaches you, it might seem as though the ball has suddenly switched course when you correct your initial perception. Dr. Gray said that for this reason, Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez has trained himself to make his windups identical. Pitchers with unusual deliveries tend to be successful for a while because batters have trouble keeping their eyes on the release point, or the point where the ball leaves the hand. Some pitchers strategically place their white resin bags on the mound so that from the batter's view, it will look like the ball came out of the bag.
Batters get some advantages as well.
Seats in center field directly behind the pitcher are often covered with a black tarp to prevent fans in white shirts from distracting the batter. Pitchers are the only players required to use a black or brown glove to provide high contrast to the white ball. Contestants work in teams of two or three. In early January, each team is given the same kit containing sensors, electronic components, batteries, motors and LEGOs. They have three weeks in which to transform the parts into a working robot.