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Technology is changing the world of baseball. Recent advancements are redefining the way athletes train and improve. At Premier Pitching Performance (PPP), staying ahead of these advancements isn't just a goal; it's a commitment.
Among the plethora of high-tech tools in our training arsenal, motion capture technology stands out as a game-changer. But why has this become such an essential tool for our players and partners, and how does it contribute to elevating their game?
Before diving into its significance, let's understand what motion capture (MOCAP) technology entails. It involves recording the movement of objects or people using high-quality cameras with multiple angles and speeds.
Unlike ordinary video capture, MOCAP provides a detailed, three-dimensional view, capturing every subtle movement with extreme precision. This advanced technology translates the captured movements into digital models and data points, allowing coaches and analysts to observe and evaluate the mechanics of a player’s movements in a way that simply isn't possible with the naked eye.
In baseball, particularly in pitching, this technology captures intricate biomechanics that the human eye struggles to see at high velocities. Sensors or markers placed on the athlete's body track movements, offering a detailed analysis of mechanics, speed and efficiency.
PPP team collecting MOCAP data for a college baseball team.
MOCAP allows coaches and players to dissect each motion in a pitch, identifying areas of strength and pinpointing aspects that need refinement. Noah Junis, Assistant Director of Pitching at PPP, explains,
“MOCAP provides a way for us to give objective feedback about how the body is moving down the mound. Specifically for pitching, it’s all about pitch shapes, and MOCAP helps us see those more clearly.”
By understanding the biomechanics of a pitcher, MOCAP helps in reducing the risk of injuries. It identifies potential stress points and improper movements that can lead to strain or injury, thus enabling preventative measures. Junis notes,
“The main reason to get an assessment is that it provides an in-depth, granular look at how you move down the mound.”
This detailed view can help players understand compensation patterns such as overuse of particular muscle groups, imbalances in weight distribution and timing inconsistencies in their pitching delivery. These compensations can lead to more significant health concerns or injury risks over time, that could potentially shorten a pitcher’s career. Recognizing and addressing these patterns early can lead to more balanced, efficient pitching mechanics, contributing to both improved performance and reduced injury risk.
Each pitcher is unique. Motion capture data helps in creating highly customized training programs that cater to individual strengths and weaknesses, leading to more effective training and performance improvements.
While developing PPP’s customized training programs, Junis uses MOCAP data to target “low-hanging fruit” that might help an athlete in their delivery. Junis elaborates,
"Say we get someone on a MOCAP, and their lead leg isn’t bracing in the most efficient way, we trace that back to what happens earlier in the delivery. We then integrate constraints and throwing drills to pinpoint that lead leg.”
Junis emphasizes the importance of looking at movements before the front foot hits the ground, because that’s where the coaching and improvement can take place.
For pitchers who are serious about improving their game and dominating the details, Junis recommends getting a MOCAP assessment as often as possible. It’s especially beneficial for pitchers to get an assessment in the beginning of the offseason as a “pre-assessment” and at the end of the offseason as a “post-assessment”.
This frequent assessment data helps in creating highly customized training programs that cater to individual strengths and weaknesses, leading to more effective training and performance improvements.
The implications of motion capture technology in baseball extend far beyond the pitcher's mound. Junis highlights the expanding horizon of this technology,
“I think with mocap tech becoming more readily available and more major leagues investing in this type of technology, it’s going to be utilized beyond just player development.”
The accessibility and sophistication of motion capture tools are not just transforming how players are coached and developed but are also revolutionizing other aspects of the game. Junis commented on the broader applications of MOCAP technology,
“Departments like scouting & acquisition as well as game planning will benefit from MOCAP data."
In scouting and acquisition, for instance, motion capture data can provide a more objective and comprehensive analysis of a player's abilities and potential. By examining the intricacies of a player's movements, scouts can make more informed decisions, identifying those with the most promising biomechanical profiles. This technology has the potential to completely change the process of scouting.
Furthermore, in the realm of game planning, coaches and analysts can use mocap data to strategize more effectively against opponents. Understanding the subtleties in a pitcher's delivery or a batter's swing, which could indicate tendencies or predict upcoming pitches, provides a competitive edge that can be crucial in high-stakes games.
This tech-led transformation signals a new era in baseball, where data-driven insights gained from motion capture technology will become increasingly integral in shaping the future of teams and players. As such technologies become more ingrained in the sport, their potential to enhance various facets of baseball, from player development to game-day strategies, is immense.
For innovative organizations like Premier Pitching Performance, staying at the forefront of this evolution not only reflects a commitment to excellence but also a vision to redefine the standards of the game. We invite players and coaches who are eager to embrace this new era to join us.
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