Eyes on the Ball: LSU’s New Tech Helps Hitters Spot Pitches

LSU baseball has turned a long‑standing mystery—how hitters see the ball—into a science.
The program now uses lightweight goggles that record eye movements as players swing, giving coaches instant data on each batter’s visual focus and reaction time.

How the Device Works

• Created by LSU’s performance innovation director, Jack Marucci, and Python Optics CEO Mike Mann.
• Looks like a pair of clear glasses but contains two tiny cameras that track pupil movement during each pitch.
• After about ten swings, the system compiles thousands of data points and turns them into charts that show how quickly a hitter locks onto the ball.

Coaching Applications

• Fine‑tune batting mechanics: If a player’s eyes lag behind the ball, coaches may adjust stance or head position to improve timing.
• Pattern detection: The data reveals preferences such as a hitter’s inclination toward left‑handed pitchers, allowing targeted practice.
• The same tech that helped LSU’s 2019 football receivers track moving balls is now applied to baseball—and even golf, aiding golfers in reading the slope of a putt.

Coaching Insight

• Coach Jay Johnson appreciates the collaboration, noting that the extra time Marucci spends with the team has guided decisions on player development.
• As LSU seeks to climb out of a tough season, precise visual analytics could give its hitters a competitive edge.