Wind

The wind is the horizontal motion of air past a given point and is a direct result of pressure differences across a geographic location. The wind is measured with two instruments:

  • Wind vanes measure the direction it is coming FROM
  • Anemometers measure the speed at which the air is traveling

The strength of the wind and its direction can have a huge impact on the game as well. Winds can shift the direction of a ball’s trajectory. A well-struck ball with a tailwind could travel further distances, then a ball with a headwind. The influence of the wind could be the difference between a homerun or a ball that stayed in the park. The winds can also shift a ball hit down the foul line, making the ball playable or a strike.

Fly balls are primarily affected by the wind direction. Teams practice fly ball communication on windy days, so they understand what to do on game day.