HeyBLU — Quick Start & FAQ

No. HeyBLU only evaluates pitches that are not swung at. If the batter swings, the human umpire (or coach) makes the call. The app does not attempt to decide whether a batter checked their swing or made contact.

When setting up the app, you will choose an age group (e.g., Pro, 14U, 12U, 10U) and a mound distance (e.g., 45 ft for youth leagues or 60.5 ft for regulation). These settings determine the specific width, height, and location of the strike zone.

Important: Set these to match the game you're watching and include them in feedback so we can correlate with data.

You be the judge—and let us know what you see. We use your feedback to improve. Ball/strike calls are our focus and we're iterating on accuracy.

MPH (pitch speed) is inconsistent right now; we're working on it. Don't rely on it for precise readings in this beta.

We don't record or store video, and we don't capture or store images. Only data (calls, pitch info, session stats) is used to improve the app. Your kids are not being filmed or photographed.

We specifically recommend an outdoor field in daylight, a stable tripod 10–25 feet behind and to the side of home plate, and regulation baseballs. See Quick Start step 2 for foul-line / on-deck positioning.

Avoid pointing the camera directly into the setting sun or at bright white sponsor signs in the pitch path. Move the tripod to the other side of the plate if you have glare.

Regulation baseballs only for now (softballs planned). Scuffed or dirty balls are fine.

Indoor cages and bullpens (poor results), dusk or low light (doesn't work well yet), and hand-held use (tripod or fence mount required). Non-regulation balls (softballs, wiffles) may not track correctly.

Android is not currently supported.

Use a secondary iPhone or iPad to open the Command Center. From there, you can track intent, resize the zone for different batters, and log pitch locations. The main tracking session runs on iPhone.

Start with a charged phone. On a full charge, the app may work for up to about 90 minutes of active tracking, depending on your iPhone model, brightness, heat, and cellular use. For long games or back-to-back sessions, a battery pack can help—use one only if the phone still fits securely on your mount.

For more on batteries, power, shade, and cooling in the dugout, see the GameChanger Admins Facebook group; it has lots of practical tips from coaches and scorekeepers.

Yes. Use airplane mode or turn off notifications (and avoid taking calls) while HeyBLU is tracking. Interruptions can pause the session or affect tracking; keeping the app in the foreground and undisturbed gives the best results.

iOS Screen Recording is supported, but it puts extra strain on your iPhone while the camera and tracking are already working hard. You should expect lower accuracy and more missed pitches than with recording off. For the most reliable calls, do not screen-record during a HeyBLU session; if you need video, use a second phone or camera on the side when possible.

Do not skip these steps:

1. Scan the area: Follow the in-app instructions and move slowly so the app can build a solid 3D map. See Quick Start step 3 →
2. Place the zone: This is initial placement only: line up the virtual strike zone with the real home plate (on or just above the dish), matching position and angle as closely as you can. Try not to bump the phone or plate while the zone is set—you will mount next, then adjust the camera view on Mount & Verify.
3. Mount and realign: Mount on the tripod—expect the zone to shift. Slide the zone onto the plate, use Distance/Height or Up/Down for size, use Adjust Plate for overhead alignment, and keep the full pitch path between the cyan lines (see wrong and correct placements). If you see drift or unstable tracking, check that the mount is tight and nothing moved.
4. Calibrate: Tap Play Ball, throw a test pitch if the call looks off, then use Calibrate and tap the 9-zone grid where the pitch crossed. See Quick Start steps 6–7 →
5. Tap "Play Ball": HeyBLU calls pitches once you're tracking live (use Pause, Warm Up anytime you need to stop).

Note: After End Session you can review pitches (pitch count and step through calls).

On Mount & Verify, the two vertical cyan lines mark how wide the tracking lane is sideways—the ball’s path from release to the plate must stay between them. Centering the blue zone in the middle usually leaves release outside that lane, so HeyBLU won’t track or call pitches. Align home plate next to the left cyan line (see the correct panels below).

After you tap "End Session," use the Summary button on screen. It includes share options: an image and a CSV file you can download and share.

The app detects if the phone has moved since you locked in the zone—that's "drift." A thin or rushed scan can make drift worse, but bumps after mounting are a frequent cause too. See Quick Start step 3 for scan tips and step 5 for post-mount realignment.

After placing the zone, minimize movement; mount without bumping the tripod. If calls look consistently biased after a stable mount, use Calibrate on the primary device.

Fix: Check that the mount is tight and nothing moved. Tighten the mount, avoid bumping the tripod, and on windy days consider weighing it down or moving to a sheltered spot.

If HeyBLU keeps calling pitches consistently outside or inside when they look like strikes, use the on-screen Calibrate button after a test pitch and tap where the ball actually crossed on the 9-zone grid. That is now the main way to lock in accurate inside/outside alignment after mounting.

Adjust HeyBLU (Inside/Outside) still exists under Settings (gear icon) if you need a settings-level nudge, but start with Calibrate on the primary device for consistent misses.

Your feedback is the reason we are doing this beta! To report an issue:

• Join our Slack channel for real-time discussion and support.
• Reply directly to the email we sent you when you joined.
• Want to refer a coach or league? Use the form on our front page (Join Beta section).