The startup virtual reality production and training company EON Sports VR announced Wednesday it has expanded its baseball category overseas to the Yokohama DeNA Baystars, a member of the Japanese Central League.
The organization will begin incorporating EON Sports’ interactive software and baseball virtual reality simulator into its training for this season. It is the first Japanese professional baseball team to leverage EON Sports’ training technology and also the company’s first international sports client.
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“EON Sports is excited to announce our partnership with the Baystars,” Dan O’Dowd, the ex-Colorado Rockies general manager and current EON Sports managing partner, said in a statement. “They are joining the growing number of professional baseball teams that are using our technology to enhance and change the way players are prepared and developed within the game of baseball. They are one of the most respected franchises in all of baseball, and we are thrilled to work with them on this next generation of player development.”
Added Baystars outfielder Takayuki Kajitani after utilizing the technology: “I actually was able to experience the atmosphere in the iCube, standing in the batter’s box. I felt it was very realistic of what I would see in the game. I’m going to take advantage of the iCube to experience the pitching of pitchers who I’ve never played against, and will be able to experience it before an actual match.”
Last summer, EON Sports VR started working with the Tampa Bay Rays, and other MLB teams use it as well.
EON Sports’ “W.I.N. Series” gives players the ability to experience the training system technology with headsets like the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or smartphone-based displays.
Additionally, users can take advantage of the EON iCube, a multi-projector system that provides players an experience similar to that of facing an actual pitcher. Through data compiled via a ball tracking system, EON is able to reproduce not only the ball flight but the throwing motion as well. With now a dedicated training room that includes a full iCube, Baystars batters can select various kinds of pitches to generate a life-like experience.
Beyond baseball, where MLB clubs and their minor league affiliates have integrated the “iCube,” EON Sports VR has also partnered with college athletics programs like Penn State and the University of Miami (Fla.) to launch exclusive virtual reality channels, which provides fans with behind-the-scenes content, interviews and practice highlights.