Sports Technology in Baseball

My favorite baseball bat growing up was the grey Easton. It felt like swinging a whiffle ball bat in my hand. In 2023 baseball has found its way to integrate technology into it’s bats. Marucci and Diamond Kinetics have unveiled the Marucci CATX Smart bat, the first bat with an integrated sensor and approved by the USSSA for in game use.

The CATX smart bat has the same feel and weight as a normal bat but has a sensor knob at the bottom. The sensor leverages state-of-the-art technology to gamify training with missions and challenges that reward participation. Each bat has a unique ID linked to the Diamond Kinetics app so players can immediately personalize their development and unlock their potential while opening up a whole new world of hitting experiences. CATX Smart users can participate in guided hitting sessions where they are encouraged to swing like Marucci Athletes including Alex Bregman, Trea Turner, Austin Riley, Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo, and Francisco Lindor, and access exclusive DK x Marucci challenges within the app.

Marucci and Diamond Kinetics have created a way to gamify youth sports and create a fun way to go after the youth market. Check out our blog on offline to online strategies for sports technology startups to learn more ways that sports tech companies can grow sales using offline to online strategies.

Three Strategies to activate sports partnerships

Align your goals and values

The first step to activate your sports partnerships is to align your goals and values with your partner. You want to make sure that your brand message, tone, and personality are consistent and complementary with your partner's. This will help you create a strong and authentic connection with your target audience, who will appreciate your shared vision and passion. You can also leverage your partner's strengths, assets, and insights to enhance your own marketing strategy and reach new segments.

Choose the right channels and platforms

The next step is to choose the right channels and platforms to communicate your sports partnership. You want to consider where your audience is, what they are interested in, and how they consume sports content. For example, you can use social media to create engaging and interactive content, such as behind-the-scenes videos, live Q&A sessions, polls, quizzes, and contests. You can also use digital platforms, such as websites, apps, podcasts, and newsletters, to provide more in-depth and informative content, such as stories, interviews, analysis, and tips.

Create unique and memorable experiences

The third step is to create unique and memorable experiences for your audience that showcase your sports partnership. You want to offer them something that they can't get anywhere else, something that adds value and excitement to their sports consumption. For example, you can create exclusive events, such as meet-and-greets, fan zones, VIP tickets, and product launches, that invite your audience to interact with your partner and your brand.

A recent example of this is Manchester United and WOW HYDRATE