Major League Science

As part of our ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Murata teamed up with Science from Scientists® to bring some major league science to Boston last fall. Kids visiting the park got to take part in hands-on vision and brain experiments – proving that science is all around us, including baseball! Students came away with a better understanding of how science and technology are instrumental in helping map out the sport's future.

Check out how Murata’s technologies could play a part in that…

1. Batting skills
What if practice bats had sensors that can help you be a better hitter?
• Improve your swing
• Measure your bat speed
• Hit the sweet spot more often
• Hit to all fields

2. Learning by visual simulation
• Trouble hitting a curve?
• Batting average dropping too much?
• Too many called 3rd strikes?

Developing a “good eye” is crucial. What if your practice routine could include virtual hitting sessions?

3. Smart gear and equipment
Imagine if your gear:
• Tells you when to drink more water.
• Measures your batting grip.
• Sends pitch signals faster.

Helmets, batting gloves, arm guards, and sweat bands are all getting smarter.

4. Smart uniforms = smarter players
More energy for your sore & tired legs:
• What if the materials in your practice and game uniforms would be good for the environment?
• What if the smell from your sweaty uniforms and equipment bags could no longer stop a charging rhinoceros?

5. The ball field
Imagine if sensors are used to keep base paths and fields in tip-top playing condition.
No more:
• Unpredictable bounces
• Inconsistent infields
• Damaged outfields

6. Umpire assistance
Should the strike zone only be a matter of opinion or viewpoint? Was it a check swing? Could arguments over called 3rd strikes be prevented?
Artificial intelligence and sensor technologies could help umpires call balls & strikes and may shorten the game!

7. Communication – to speed up the game
It's unanimous. Games take too long.
What if runners were allowed to wear hearables to more quickly get signals from base coaches? If players receive wireless communications sent from the dugout?

8. Smart pitching = data driven pitching
Imagine being able to measure the pressure of your grip.
Is your curve breaking as sharply since the season start? How close to home plate is your curve dropping?
Practice make perfect. So does data.

9. Smart gloves = quicker D
Turn more double plays.
Reduce infield hits.
Cut down sac fly base runners.
Measure how quickly you get the ball out of your glove!
What if sensors measured where you catch the ball? And how quickly it’s out of your glove for that putout throw. “Data makes perfect.”

Our commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is rooted in our mission to help advance society. We’ve found that one of the best ways to do that is by investing in and inspiring the next generation of future innovators.

For more information about Murata’s approach to Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, visit here.

If want to see more major league science, check out our Mulabo experience here.

More information on Science from Scientists can be found on their website.

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