How accurate are those radar guns at minor league ballparks?

Question

Not ones used by scouts, but the ones they have set up for the fans where you can get three balls for a dollar? The attendant was telling everyone to throw at the corner of the target, closest to the gun. That alone seemed suspicious. Also, a 12-year-old threw in the low 70s, according to their leaderboard. The fastest throw for the day of anyone was 82-mph, which is reasonable, but I threw 79, which was surprising to me. Are those things accurate at all?

Answer 1

They are pretty accurate if you are within range...I was throwing on the radar and hit the batter with my fastest pitch and it showed like 58, but then I hit the corner near the radar gun and it hit 76.  I believe it was the other way around...but in either case I have a friend that throws in the high 70's, low 80's and at the stadium he hit the target with all three and it was 78, 80 and 80.

Answer 2

they arent as accurate as the ones that the scouts use, thats for sure

and i wouldnt be surprised if they made it to where the gun would add a few MPH onto the actual speed to make you feel better about yourself