Baseball might still be America’s favorite pastime, but that doesn’t mean athletes and coaches are playing the same way they did back in the 19th century. The power of video analysis and data science is changing how teams train and strategize for each game. Hardware and software company AWRE Sports makes it possible with advanced video collection and analysis/
Video analysis has become a crucial strategy in athletic training and development in baseball and many other sports. The process allows coaches and players to closely review performance to identify areas of improvement, refine techniques, and gain a competitive edge.
“These teams and coaches are always striving to improve…to bring their best to the field,” explains Chris Clark, the CEO and co-founder of AWRE Sports. “Technology gives them the tools and insights to train in a more strategic and effective way.”
Bringing Sports Training into the 21st Century
While it has become a staple in training for baseball teams of all levels, video analysis is not always a streamlined process. Traditional methods involve manual recording using handheld devices or fixed cameras, limiting the perspectives and angles captured. The process requires manual review, cataloging, and analyzing each video.
But as a former student-athlete and college baseball player himself, Clark understands how impactful the takeaways that come out of that analysis can be for a player wanting to improve their game. AWRE Sports streamlines that raw data, Clark says, and turns it into actionable insights coaches and players can use. The system can be used at any level, from high school and college teams to professional leagues.
“We focused on getting the entire game experience in one place. We’re taking video and data from the many sources teams are using to collect it—radar guns, bat sensors, a multi-point camera system, or a mobile device, for example—and bringing it all together in one hub,” he points out.
Playing Ball With Advanced Hardware and Machine Learning
AWRE Air uses six high-definition cameras to provide a full coverage view of the field: a camera above home plate, a centerfield camera, and two more cameras on each dugout to capture the hitter and pitcher from their open and closed sides. Each swing is captured, processed, and analyzed as AWRE’s machine learning gets to work.
“AWRE has been a big part of our program, from our players getting to see all their sings immediately after a game to even having a parent from states away being able to watch. It has been a huge help in our program,” says Will Kaufman, associate head coach at Erskine College.
The platform’s AI-powered analytics build each player a dynamic profile with pitch-by-pitch highlights and stats, automatically updating them with each game. AWRE Sports also supports coaches with an onboard charting system that leverages real-time data.
The sports tech brand also upgrades how fans watch and track their favorite teams. While working hard to capture every moment of a game, the AWRE Air system also has streaming capabilities. The platform offers parents and fans access to highlights and player statistics through its mobile app.
From College Baseball to Sport Tech Entrepreneurship
While Clark jokes that AWRE Sports was started by five guys who just like baseball, the company’s founders are a dream team in the sports tech sector. Clark launched the company in 2019, alongside his college roommate and old teammate Steve Johnson, who now manages a 25,000-square-foot baseball training academy in New Jersey.
Chief operating officer and co-founder Rob Corsi, who was Johnson’s past business partner, joined the team the following year. Corsi played baseball at his alma mater of Rutgers University, before going pro in Australia for several years. AWRE Sports’ leadership team also includes chief sales officer Ken Spangenbergalso, who previously worked alongside college-aged players as a head coach, and chief technology officer Dave Johansen, who led design efforts for government-grade projectile defense systems.
As Johnson explains, “A lot of the video solutions out there are made for other sports…Each of us grew up playing or being part of baseball. We know the pain points and are developing a solution meant for this game rather than something repurposed from other sports.”
When it comes to America’s favorite pastime, AWRE Sports helps to bring teams into the 21st century. The system is already used in more than 100 locations across the United States, reports Clark. Discover a new way to train, play, and watch at awresports.com.
