Johns Hopkins students create AI to enhance baseball bat measurement

In the United States, the Baltimore Orioles approached the Sports Analytics Research Group at Johns Hopkins University to improve the precision of measuring baseball bats. This initiative was born from the challenge to optimize batting performance, especially after the emergence of the 'torpedo bat' used by the New York Yankees, which gained fame for its ability to redistribute weight optimally. The students, Kevin Wu and Xiaojian (Jason) Sun, innovatively applied AI and computer vision to speed up traditional bat measurement methods, which were previously manual and tedious. Their process involved using a matte green screen and a simple capturing technique that allowed for quick 3D readings of bat dimensions. This advancement significantly reduced the time taken for bat measurement, shifting from hours to mere minutes. The Orioles, who are not funding this research nor expecting any direct returns, are currently practicing manual measuring but are excited about the potential time savings that the new technology could introduce. Each player has unique contact points, making precise measurements vital for optimizing bat performance, and the ability to quickly assess these dimensions could significantly influence training and gameplay strategies in the future. Since the influx of innovative bat designs like the torpedo bat, understanding the specific sweet spot for each player has become crucial, adding pressure on teams to adopt technology that not only enhances performance metrics but also adapts to the individual characteristics of players. The ongoing collaboration between an academic institution and a professional sports team exemplifies a growing trend in sports where data analytics is used to inform player development, enhance team strategy, and ultimately improve game outcomes. The significance of this development cannot be overstated, as it showcases the intersection of technology, sports, and education. With Major League Baseball teams increasingly recognizing the value of analytical insights, the work done by the students at Johns Hopkins demonstrates how academic initiatives can directly impact real-world applications, especially in high-stakes environments such as professional sports.