FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2023
Phoenix, AZ - Yakkertech, a leading provider of in-game optical ball-flight data for the baseball and softball industry, and PitchCom, the innovative device that is best known for its use by Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers, are announcing today that they have entered an exclusive partnership to create the first-ever quantifiable measure of Pitcher Command.
The capability of a pitcher to meticulously place pitches with intention, commonly referred to as Pitcher Command, constitutes a vital facet of the sport. However, its accurate evaluation has historically proven to be a challenging task. With the advent of PitchCom and Yakkertech technologies, teams will now be equipped with a data-driven methodology to appraise Pitcher Command by determining the intended location and final location of each pitch thrown. Using BaseballCloud’s flagship software, users will then be able to automate this process and visualize their findings on a single platform.
“We are thrilled to be partnering PitchCom’s game-changing system with Yakkertech and BaseballCloud’s industry-leading technologies,” said PitchCom’s Owner, John Hankins. “Our collaboration to create a new patent-pending system combining PitchCom’s intended location with Yakkertech’s ball-flight data will revolutionize pitcher evaluation and development at all levels.”
The process is simple and efficient. Using PitchCom's earpiece and keypad, the catcher can send pitch calls to the pitcher, including the pitch type and intended location. Yakkertech's cameras log each pitch and cross-reference them with the signal transmitted by the catcher through PitchCom. This information is then analyzed to determine the pitcher's command, providing teams with a valuable tool to grade performance and make relevant adjustments based on the frequency, direction, and distance of misses.
"Our partnership with PitchCom is a game-changer for the baseball and softball industry. We are able to create a new metric," said Kevin Davidson, CEO of Yakkertech and BaseballCloud. "As a former catcher, I know as well as anyone how important this aspect of the game is. Being able to objectively track it for the first time is a huge step forward for the two sports.”
This joint venture is tailored for use across all levels of baseball and softball, from independent professional baseball leagues to high school programs and training facilities. Teams with a Yakkertech system and a PitchCom device will be able to utilize these features as soon as the 2023 season, and users of the upcoming Yakkertech portable system will be able to take advantage in the near future.
“Having this information at your fingertips is truly performance-enhancing for coaches and players. ‘Command’ separates good pitchers from great ones, and now we have a whole new way to see this side of the game,” said World Series Champion Outfielder Jonny Gomes.
LSU Pitching Coach Wes Johnson echoed this excitement for the deal and talked about what this means for his pitchers: “The technology Yakkertech, BaseballCloud, and PitchCom are using to quantify command will change the way pitchers are evaluated! This will revolutionize the way coaches look at pitchers moving forward.”
About Yakkertech™ and BaseballCloud™:
BaseballCloud™ offers a revolutionary suite of tools to empower baseball and softball players at all levels to optimize performance. The company's flagship product, Yakkertech™, is an optical-tracking system that captures and analyzes ball-flight data with unparalleled precision. Alongside Yakkertech™, BaseballCloud™ is a leader in shaping the future of the sport with cutting-edge technologies for player development, scouting, and fan engagement.
About PitchCom™:
The PitchCom™ communication system uses a proprietary push-button, player-wearable transmitter that allows players on the field to communicate plays to each other without using physical signs or verbal communication. Every player wearing a receiver actually hears the same instructions in their very own chosen language. The PitchCom™ communication system, a patent-pending technology of PitchCom Sports™, can also be adapted to allow coaches to communicate with players in the same covert manner.
For more information, please contact info@baseballcloud.com.
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