Why the Red Wings Chose HitTrax: The Technology Behind the Training
- msilver851
- Aug 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Why the Red Wings Chose HitTrax: The Technology Behind the Training
When we set out to design the Red Wings Performance Center, our mission was simple: bring MLB-caliber tools into our community and make them accessible to every athlete. Choosing the right technology partner was critical to delivering on that mission. After careful evaluation, we selected HitTrax as our core system ... a decision rooted in both technical precision and long-term impact.
The Technology Behind HitTrax
HitTrax is far more than a scoreboard in the cage. It’s an integrated ball tracking and simulation system that uses a combination of near-infrared (NIR) cameras, LED sensors, and proprietary physics modeling to capture and project every swing in real time.
Millisecond Response: The system tracks the first few feet of ball flight off the bat and instantly calculates exit velocity, launch angle, contact point, spray angle, and projected distance.
Game Context: Each swing is rendered in real MLB, NCAA baseball stadiums or NCAA softball stadiums, turning practice into game-like feedback.
Video Integration: Wireless cameras sync with the data, pairing every swing with high-speed video analysis.
Biomechanical Insights: With HitTrax Biomechanics powered by 3MotionAI, athletes can evaluate movements like hip rotation and stride length without cumbersome sensors.
The result: athletes and coaches no longer need to guess at outcomes or rely solely on feel ... the system provides objective, visual, and repeatable feedback every single rep.
Every swing matters. Register for the Hitting Leagues and lock in your spot today.
Why We’re Using HitTrax
For us, HitTrax provides three critical advantages:
Accuracy and Repeatability
Independent testing shows HitTrax data is accurate within *±1 mph on exit velocity and within ~5% on projected distance when compared to radar guns and tape measures. More importantly, it provides stable, repeatable readouts in indoor environments ... making it perfect for our controlled tunnels at Innovative Field.
Development and Engagement
HitTrax bridges the gap between training and playing. Because swings are shown as outcomes…doubles, homers, line drives…athletes learn faster, buy in quicker, and train with more intent. For younger players, it transforms practice into an engaging, game-like experience. For older players, it sharpens their data literacy and approach.
Research and Long-Term Growth
Every swing is stored, tracked, and exportable. That means we can run studies on:
Program efficacy: Measuring pre/post gains in EV, LA, and hard-hit % across training blocks.
Equipment comparisons: Testing bats, grips, or training aids with real outcome data.
Approach training: Linking decision-making at the plate to contact quality.
This isn’t just training … it’s evidence-based player development.
Expanding Pathways in Baseball
This is the future of training in Rochester ... Register for the Hitting Leagues and lock in your spot today.
HitTrax also plays a key role in our broader mission: making baseball accessible as both a sport and a career pathway.
For athletes: It provides measurable progress through clear swing metrics, builds confidence by showing tangible improvement over time, and supports skill development by turning every rep into actionable feedback.
For coaches: It equips them with a suite of data and synchronized video tools that allow for truly individualized training plans, helping them pinpoint strengths, target areas for improvement, and communicate adjustments with clarity and precision.
For future professionals: HitTrax opens eyes to roles in data analysis, coaching, and technology — showing that baseball careers can be built both on the field and behind the numbers. One of its most valuable features is the ease of data export and compatibility with other platforms. Rather than keeping information locked behind proprietary paywalls, HitTrax makes raw data and reports accessible and workable.
That means students of the game, aspiring coaches, or analysts can pull session data into tools like Excel, R, or TRAQ and actually learn to work with the numbers — filtering, comparing, and building their own insights. It transforms batting practice into a live database that can be studied and applied. For high school or college athletes interested in analytics, this creates a unique educational opportunity: they’re not just training with data, they’re learning how to manage, interpret, and apply it in ways that directly mirror the work being done at the professional level.
By democratizing access, HitTrax ensures that data isn’t only for front offices or elite programs. It’s for players, coaches, and future professionals in our own community ... an investment not just in better swings, but in the next generation of baseball leaders.
Bottom Line
By choosing HitTrax, we’re not just installing new equipment…we’re transforming how Rochester athletes experience the game. From youth players chasing their first hit, to high school athletes preparing for showcases, to college players sharpening their skills during breaks, HitTrax provides the data, context, and engagement needed to truly move development forward.
And by partnering with us to bring free programming to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester, HitTrax is helping us make this more than just a technology partnership. It’s a reflection of our shared mission: breaking down barriers, inspiring confidence, and showing kids that baseball is not only a game to be played, but a pathway to growth, opportunity, and belonging. Together, we’re using technology as a bridge...to development, to education, and to the future of our community.
The Red Wings Performance Center is about more than cages and turf. It’s about creating opportunity … and with HitTrax, we now have the technology to do it.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the Red Wings Performance Center from day one - Register for the Hitting Leagues and lock in your spot today.
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