Baseball teams get lab-grade swing analysis data without sensors or markers

Baseball teams We have long been looking for a way to study all swings without sensors and complex laboratory setups. Today a new solution comes onto the scene. Theia, an artificial intelligence biomechanics company, has unveiled a commercially available, video-only system that jointly analyzes a bat's flight path and full-body biomechanics. This new approach works in real-life baseball conditions and does not require reflective markers, wearable devices or special equipment.

System has been field tested by Driveline Baseball and the San Diego Padres Biomechanics Laboratory and testing has shown that it delivers high-quality results both in the cage and on the field.

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A New Chapter in Baseball Biomechanics

Theia platform relies on deep learning models trained on millions of motion data points. It captures a bat's full 3D flight path, angle of attack, action sequence and body movement in one workflow that teams can run with standard high-speed video. This makes advanced biomechanics more accessible to coaches and players who train under normal conditions.

Dr. Arnel Aguinaldo Laboratory of Biomechanics PLNU tested the system with the Padres. He said: “Theia's markerless technology represents a breakthrough in how we capture and analyze swing mechanics. It removes the barriers of traditional setups, allowing us to collect quality swing data directly from the field or cage. This is a game changer for both research and applied development.”

Independent testing of over 2,000 swings has shown an average difference in bat plane angles of less than 3 degrees compared to marker-based systems. As a result, teams can evaluate lineup-sized groups in regular batting practice sessions in the cage or on the field without slowing players down.

Why Video-Only Tracking Works in a Real Baseball Environment

Many existing tools are based on sensors or suits that can change the way an athlete moves. Marcus Braun, CEO of Theia, explained to CyberGuy why it's important to only track videos.

“Using video alone means teams are getting lab-grade biomechanical data that previously required a full lab setup, but without special suits, reflective markers or equipment attached to the bat or player,” he said.

The system runs in the background after cameras are installed and calibrated. Trainers record sessions as usual and analysis is performed automatically. Because of this, the training program remains the same and the players move naturally.

Brown added: “Until now, full analysis meant choosing between bit-only instruments or biomechanics labs that couldn’t scale. Our new markerless technology changes that. Teams can now see the complete swing picture for every hitter using one system in an environment that suits their individual needs.”

How AI Bat and Body Tracking Improves Player Performance

Having a complete picture of the swing gives coaches the ability to link body movement to impact outcomes. Brown explained why this is important for player development.

“Theia's new bat tracking feature helps players improve by giving coaches a complete and more accurate picture of their swing. Today, many instruments measure either the bit or the body, and many rely on wearable devices or sensors It can affect how the athlete moves,” Brown said. “When coaches can link a player's sequence, posture, timing and rotation to the trajectory, speed and quality of contact of the bat, they can identify specific movement patterns that influence performance. This makes mechanical adjustments more targeted and much easier to track over time, resulting in more consistent and meaningful improvements.”

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What players experience when teams use the Teia system

Players will not need to attach anything to the bat or their body. They swing on their usual training grounds without changing their behavior. Brown said: “For athletes, the biggest change is the level of accurate, personalized feedback they receive. Coaches can determine if the problem is due to sequencing, posture, timing, or how the hitter delivers the barrel to the ball. This level of detail helps translate mechanical work in the cage into more consistent and reliable results on the field.”

Independent testing shows consistent bat and body data.

Baseball Drive Line and the PLNU x Padres Biomechanics Laboratory tested the system in both professional and university settings. Brown said, “Our work with Driveline and the PLNUxPadres biomechanics lab has shown that the system can provide high-quality bat and body data in the same conditions where hitters actually train. These tests demonstrated consistency: the ability to automatically register a full swing, connect bat and body with the precision needed for player development, and fit easily into a regular practice routine.”

Why Theia System fits easily into regular cage sessions

Sports technology can create challenges in the workflow, but Teia strives to avoid this. Brown said: “We designed the system so coaches can use it without changing anything about their regular training program. Once the cameras are installed, trainers simply record the session as they normally would and analysis occurs automatically in the background.”

There are no additional steps, no equipment for players, and no breaks in training.

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The Future Path to Sports Performance Using Artificial Intelligence

Brown believes this breakthrough lays the foundation for future innovations.

“Player development is ultimately about understanding what impacts performance, and this technology gives coaches a much clearer way to see that,” he said. “When you can link a player’s movement to swing outcome through objective, repeatable data, you can build training plans that are much more personalized and accurate.”

He also added: “This work builds on more than a decade of research and more than 50 peer-reviewed studies aimed at highly accurate markerless human motion tracking. It reflects the direction the industry as a whole is moving towards integrated, markerless solutions that give athletes and coaches clearer insight with far less friction.”

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Kurt's key takeaways

Teia's new bat and body tracking system changes the way baseball teams study movement. This provides coaches with greater clarity, provides athletes with a natural training environment, and removes hardware barriers that have limited biomechanics in the past. Fans may also see long-term effects. This level of detail can affect how hitters develop power, angles of attack, and timing. Young players can receive personalized training guides that build better habits early in their careers. As video-based artificial intelligence proliferates in sports, tools like these give teams more ways to measure performance.

If your favorite team had access to this level of swing understanding, how do you think it would change their roster development strategy? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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