Software could train batters to anticipate pitchers

Peter Fadde hopes through software development, he can help train the instincts of athletes, drivers and even surgeons.

Fadde, a professor of instructional technology and design, has been working on pitch recognition software that could train the instincts of a batter to anticipate the path of a pitch just by looking at a split-second image of the pitcher’s movements.

Fadde said the perceptual training techniques used in the pitching software could be used for other types of training, such as driving and surgery.

Fadde’s software program is one of two innovations developed through research at SIU that were selected to compete in the national Idea To Product Competition held at St. Louis University this weekend.

Schools with innovations complete a questionnaire about the invention they are interested in entering into competition, said Maryon King, director of the Center for Innovation.  If that page is accepted, schools submit a proposal about the innovation, detailing how it can be manufactured and marketed.

“They ask you what the benefit is and who would benefit from it,” King said.

A group of 16 innovations are then invited to the semi-final competition at St. Louis University.

Fadde’s pitching software, as well as a plan for magnetic refrigeration technology, was selected as one of the finalists.

Students in graduate-level marketing plans were asked to write the proposals as an assignment for their class, said Mike Robinson, the project manager.

Robinson said the activity mimics what marketing students will be expected to do in actual marketing jobs.

 “They’re applying what they’ve learned in class to a real-world situation,” he said.
Both innovations have marketing potential, according to graduate students who worked on the project.

Marketing team members agreed that commercializing the pitching software would be possible.

“The sports market is huge,” said Jess Schurman, a graduate student from Breese studying finance, who worked on the project.  “This is one of the only types of products that uses perceptual training rather than physical training.”

Robinson said the marketing implications for magnetic refrigeration are also exciting.
He said unlike current refrigeration technology, magnetic refrigeration does not release harmful gasses into the atmosphere and is up to 60 percent more energy efficient.

“That’s something that goes along with the new green trend,” Robinson said.

Though the university’s innovations were not selected as the winners of the competition, Robinson is still happy with the outcome.

“It was really fun,” he said.  “It was still a really good experience.”