MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SIGNS FIVE YEAR CONTRACT WITH QUESTEC
Company Launches New "Umpire Information System"
Deer Park, N.Y., Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - QuesTec, Inc., (OTCBB Stock Symbol:
QSTI), has signed a five year Agreement with Major League Baseball to provide a new version of
their state-of-the-art PitchTrax pitch measurement technology in support of MLB's previously
announced strike zone initiatives. As part of this Agreement, MLB agreed to pay QuesTec an
undisclosed fee for the development, now in the final stages, of a customized version of the
Company's measurement technology. QuesTec has also been contracted to install, operate, and
maintain the new "Umpire Information System" (UIS) for the term of the Agreement.
The new system includes several key modifications to the Company’s commercial PitchTrax product
currently licensed exclusively to the FOX Channels Group as "in-game enhancement" during live
television broadcasts of Major League Baseball games. PitchTrax appears as a sponsored feature
during FOX Sports Net productions.
A prototype of the UIS was unveiled during the 2000 Arizona Fall League to a large group of Major
League umpires and MLB officials who were given free access to the system and QuesTec's
development team. QuesTec's new system was well received and easily met the stringent accuracy
requirements specified by the Office of the Commissioner. Testing will resume next month during
Spring Training in Arizona. Once testing is complete, the Company will begin installation of the UIS
in stadiums designated by MLB. The commitment and the cooperation of MLB and it’s umpires have
helped QuesTec to produce the most accurate, reliable, and objective measurement system
available for professional sports.
"Major League Baseball is excited about the training potential of QuesTec's new system," said
Sandy Alderson, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball. "We
expect that this new technology will further enhance the capabilities of our Major League umpires."
"I am very encouraged," said Ralph Nelson, MLB Vice President for Umpiring. "We will now have
available the ideal tool to help us maintain strike zone accuracy and consistency. The introduction of
technology as part of our training process will have a substantive impact on proper officiating of the
game. QuesTec technology goes far beyond pretty pictures on TV, it is truly the intersection of
science and baseball."
The UIS uses QuesTec's proprietary measurement technology. Quite different than "video insertion"
technology that simply adds graphics to the broadcast video, QuesTec technology actually
measures information about interesting events during the game that would not be available any other
way. This technology is so innovative it appeared in a Scientific American article in September of
2000. The ball tracking component uses cameras mounted in the stands off the first and third base
lines to follow the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand until it crosses the plate. Along the way,
multiple track points are measured to precisely locate the ball in space and time. This information is
then used to measure the speed, placement, and curvature of the pitch along its entire path. The
entire process is fully automatic including detection of the start of the pitch, tracking of the ball,
location computations, and identification of non-baseball objects such as birds or wind swept debris
moving through the field of view. No changes are made to the ball, the field of play, or any other
aspect of the game, to work with QuesTec technology. The tracking technology was originally
developed for the US military and the company has adapted it to sports applications.
"This is our most ambitious undertaking to date," said Edward J. Plumacher, QuesTec founder.
"Major League Baseball provided a very open environment, encouraging vigorous dialogue about the
potential uses of our technology and involving representatives across the baseball community as part
of this initiative. Their feedback, encouragement, and commitment continue to be vital elements
throughout this process. Our agreement with MLB will serve as a standard for all future sports
related technology contracts and marks our clear transition into the true mainstream of professional
sports. QuesTec's development of innovative technology applications for broadcasting, webcasting,
interactive television, and now officiating, clearly demonstrates our technical leadership in the
emerging digital media market."
Steven B. Greenfield, Esq., QuesTec Chairman of the Board, said of the deal: "Gaining acceptance
from both MLB and the umpires for the accuracy, reliability and value of our technology is like getting
a Seal of Approval. We are not aware of any other measurement technology that has been accepted
in this way by the governing body of a major US sport. Both MLB executives and the umpire
community were understandably skeptical at first, but after seeing our technology in operation,
everyone began to see the quality of the information and the many uses for it. These men are
dedicated professionals, and once convinced, quickly embraced the technology as a source of
objective feedback that has never been available in the past. We always hesitate when someone
suggests our technology could be used for officiating, but we believe MLB and the umpires have
gotten this just right: with the UIS, we can contribute to the quality of the officiating process without
intruding into the game or disrupting Baseball's traditions. That's a pretty good place to be!"
QuesTec is a content-oriented company that provides real-time measurement, replay and analysis
products for sports, entertainment and digital media. The company develops real-time virtual replays
and eSports technology for mainstream professional sports. QuesTec's technology offers unique
content to the convergence of today's emerging digital media.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements
contained in this release which are not historical facts, including our outlook on the future
performance of our core businesses and our growth strategies, are forward-looking statements that
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the
Company's entry into new commercial markets, dependence on existing markets and other risks
described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
###
Investor Relations Contact: Christopher J. Malone, QuesTec, Inc. (631) 243-1880 or
invest@questec.com
Press releases and other QuesTec information are available on the QuesTec web site:
http://www.questec.com
Press Release Archive
02/14/01 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SIGNS FIVE YEAR CONTRACT WITH QUESTEC;
Company Launches New "Umpire Information System"
02/12/01 QuesTec Finalizes Re-Organization
02/06/01 QuesTec.com, Inc. Completes Name Change
01/31/01 QuesTec.com’s New Board of Directors Take Action
10/16/00 QuesTec Announces Date Change of Annual Shareholders Meeting; Meeting
Date Changed From October 23 to November 15, 2000
10/06/00 QuesTec.com Announces Proposed Board of Directors
09/19/00 QuesTec.com Announces Changes to their Board of Directors
09/08/00 HitTrax Adds Power To Interactive Content Lineup; QuesTec.com's real-time
content offers television, Internet, interactive television and video game providers
unique information to attract and hold sports fans
08/09/00 QuesTec Completes SEC Form 10-SB Filing Requirements
07/11/00 Major League Baseball Offers Comprehensive All-Star Game Coverage on
MajorLeagueBaseball.com Premiere of MLB Radio; Interactive Features
03/31/00 QuesTec.com's TennisProView Selected as Content of Choice for the ATP
Tour's Masters Series
03/03/00 QuesTec.com Files for SEC Reporting Status per NASD Rule 6530
12/22/99 SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE CORPORATE NAME CHANGE TO QUESTEC.COM,
INC. FROM QUESTEC IMAGING, INC.
11/18/99 QUESTEC TECHNOLOGY TAKES CENTER COURT IN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
FOR THE 1999 CHASE CHAMPIONSHIPS; TENNISPROVIEW(TM) SPONSORED AND
POWERED BY SILICON GRAPHICS.
11/02/99 QUESTEC'S TENNISPROVIEW(TM) SERVED AROUND THE WORLD;
TECHNOLOGY FEATURED DURING BROADCASTS TO 150 COUNTRIES.
10/22/99 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND SPORTSLINE USA, INC. SELECT QUESTEC TO
PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY FOR WORLD SERIES® COVERAGE OF OFFICIAL WEB SITE;
QUESTEC REVOLUTIONIZES SPORTS WEBCASTING
10/13/99 QUESTEC ANNOUNCES eReplays.com
10/07/99 QUESTEC'S TENNISPROVIEW TO CLOSE OUT 1999 SEASON IN EUROPE;
TECHNOLOGY SCHEDULED FOR EUROCARD OPEN, SPARKASSEN CUP AND RETURN
APPEARANCE AT ATP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
09/29/99 QUESTEC SISCOM SIGN STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION
AGREEMENT
09/07/99 QUESTEC's TECHNOLOGY GOES ON-LINE FOR FOX SPORTS NET COVERAGE
OF TEXAS RANGERS;ACTV INTEGRATES QUESTEC WITH "INDIVIDUALIZED TV"
09/03/99 QUESTEC'S "eHoops-TM" LICENSED TO IBM
08/19/99 QUESTEC'S TENNISPROVIEW TAKE HOME COURT ADVANTAGE AT HAMLET
CUP
07/23/99 QUESTEC'S TENNISPROVIEW SERVED AT MERCEDES CUP
07/21/99 QUESTEC'S LAUNCHES eSportsTM AT THE 1999 ALL-STAR GAME, NEW
eSportsTM TECHNOLOGY POWERED BY SILICON GRAPHICS
07/19/99 QUESTEC RETAINS BRENER ZWIKEL & ASSOCIATES AS ITS PUBLIC
RELATIONS AGENCY
05/10/99 QUESTEC'S TENNISPROVIEW MAKES FINALS AT FRENCH OPEN
04/05/99 QUESTEC ANNOUNCES THREE YEAR BASEBALL AGREEMENT WITH FOX
SPORTS NET
03/05/99 QUESTEC'S TENNISPROVIEW DEBUTS ON FOX SPORTS NET
02/04/99 QUESTEC OPENS NEW GLOBAL NETWORK FACILITY
12/15/98 QUESTEC TO INTRODUCE INTERNET BROADCASTING FOR '99
12/11/98 QUESTEC DEBUTS TENNISPROVIEW AT THE ATP TOUR WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP
12/08/98 QUESTEC SIGNS STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AGREEMENT AND EXCLUSIVE SPORTS
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH ATLANTIC AEROSPACE ELECTRONICS
CORPORATION
08/27/98 QUESTEC'S GOLFPROVIEW TO PREMIER ON THE GOLF CHANNEL
06/24/98 QUESTEC’S GOLFPROVIEW TO BE USED AT THE PGA TOUR’S GREATER
VANCOUVER OPEN
06/23/98 QUESTEC HITS HOME RUN WITH SUPERVISION II
06/17/98 QUESTEC TO UNVEIL NEW SOFTWARE APPLICATION AT 1998 DAVIS CUP
06/10/98 QUESTEC TO RECEIVE LICENSING FEES AND ROYALTIES AS PART OF
SEVEN-YEAR ALLIANCE WITH GERMANY-BASED BROADCAST COMPANY
05/11/98 QUESTEC ANNOUNCES FIRST 1998 NON-CABLE AGREEMENT WITH WABU TV
CHANNEL 68 IN BOSTON FOR BOSTON RED SOX BROADCASTS
04/08/98 QUESTEC RETAINS STOCKBROKER RELATIONS, INC.
03/30/98 QUESTEC ANNOUNCES FIRST 1998 AGREEMENT WITH THE MADISON SQUARE
GARDEN NETWORK FOR NEW YORK YANKEES AND NEW YORK METS BROADCASTS
03/25/98 INCORPORATION IN WYOMING, USA
10/30/97 QUESTEC'S FIRST NATIONAL CONTRACT FOR SUPERVISION IS A SUCCESS
10/10/97 SUPERVISION TO MAKE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AND WORLD SERIES DEBUT
ON NBC
<h4><li>Bruce Cullen<br>
<li><a href="http://www.BruceCullen.Com">Sherwood Coasts Group</a><br>
<li>Send E-mail to
<a href=mailto:Sherwoodgroup@bigfoot.com>Sherwoodgroup@bigfoot.com</a>