Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

‘Runs and Data: The Science of Illinois Baseball’ documentary premieres May 4 on Big Ten Network

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — World-renowned baseball physicist Alan Nathan and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign student Charlie Young team up to explore the evolving world of baseball physics and analytics in a new 30-minute documentary airing this month on the Big Ten Network. “Runs and Data: The Science of Illinois Baseball” premieres May 4 at 12 p.m. CST/1 p.m. EST as part of BTN’s “Illinois Day” lineup.

Following a public talk in 1997 on the physics of baseball, Illinois physics professor Nathan was surprised at the response from the local media and many baseball fans wanting to learn more. “I sort of thought, ‘Hey, this is kind of fun. Maybe I should pursue this a little bit more seriously,’” Nathan said. “And that’s how it began.”

After years of studying topics such as the ball-bat collision and the performance of baseball bats, he eventually partnered with Major League Baseball, including chairing a 2019 committee exploring the puzzling increase of home runs in the past 10 years.

Now a professor emeritus, Nathan focuses on interpreting the analytical data collected from new ball-tracking technologies that monitor every MLB player from pitching to batting. These groundbreaking resources track exit velocities, spin rates, launch angles and much more.

Then an Illinois freshman double-majoring in Computer Science + Astronomy and Statistics, Young in 2017 reached out to Nathan to discuss baseball analytics. Over time, Nathan became Young’s mentor. “One of the biggest things I’m learning from him outside of baseball specifics is how to be a scientist,” Young said. “I think my skills in coding and statistical programming languages can help him to put his ideas into a graph to visualize it. So, I think we’re both benefiting from our relationship.”

At Nathan’s suggestion, Young became the student manager of analytics with the Fighting Illini baseball team. Having just purchased its own tracking system, the Illinois coaching staff was eager to gain more data to help the players succeed at the highest level.

“It’s the wave of the future,” Illinois head baseball coach Dan Hartleb said. “The number tells them that if they do certain things we’re trying to teach, they can be better players.” The team finished the 2019 season with its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2015.

“Runs and Data: The Science of Illinois Baseball” was produced by Kaitlin Southworth, Tim Hartin and Alison Davis Wood for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Office of Public Affairs and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Editor’s note: For more information, contact E. Todd Wilson, director of special projects, 217-333-4059, etwilson@illinois.edu.

Read Next

Humanities Diptych image with book cover of "The New Internationals" and a headshot of English professor David Wright Faladé

English professor’s novel tells of love triangle in post-WWII Paris, based on his family history

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new novel by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign English professor David Wright Faladé tells the story of three people in a love triangle in post-World War II Paris. The characters in “The New Internationals” — a young French woman who has survived the Holocaust, a university student from West Africa and a […]

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010