【Media Coverage】Niigata Nippo Features Article on VR Baseball Pitch Selection Research
On July 8, 2026, the Niigata Nippo newspaper published a feature article on our research into baseball "pitch selection ability" using VR (virtual reality) technology.
"Can 'Pitch Selection' Be Trained with VR?" — The Future of Scientifically-Grounded Training
The article introduced our research group — led by Lecturer Genta Ochi and Associate Professor Yoshitaka Morishita of the Department of Health and Sports — and our finding that a batter's "pitch selection ability" is strongly related to actual batting performance.
Aim of the Research
Strike calls in baseball have long been an ambiguous measure, often left to the subjective "feel" of players and coaches. We began this research from the idea that if pitch selection ability can be trained, it may also lead to improvements in batting performance.
This is a collaborative study that combines VR technology with practical baseball expertise. By quantitatively measuring pitch selection ability in a VR environment close to real game situations, we aim to make this previously "invisible" skill scientifically visible and to develop scientific training methods.
Publication Details
- Outlet: Niigata Nippo
- Publication Date: July 8, 2026
- Headline: Can "Pitch Selection" Be Trained with VR? Niigata University of Health and Welfare Research Group Measures the Ability — The Future of Scientifically-Grounded Training
Related Research
For more details about this research, please see:
Related Links:
- Niigata Nippo Article: https://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/articles/-/860597