July 4th, a natural halftime from the summer grind. Teams (and parents and grandparents) take a break from weekend double headers, players try not to blow fingers off or upset their neighbors too much, and we all smile a little bit thinking about that baseball fireworks scene in The Sandlot. It’s also a good midpoint in the baseball season to see how the growth of c2p communication is doing in the sport of baseball. This season, teams from semi-pro to 10u have begun adopting the new technology for the first time. Let’s see see how it’s going:
Adoption climbs toward the Early Majority mark
C2P communication enters it’s second (for many programs 1st) season as a legal communication tool. As you may expect, it is EXACTLY in line with the new technology adoption curve. The Innovators were able to share their success stories from last year. Early Adopters have tested, proven and paved the way for c2p to hit critical mass in the next one (1) to two (2) years. Expect the curve to stay steep as fall ball approaches and into next season.
On a bit of surprising note (at least to us) softball has taken a slight lead over baseball in c2p communication adoption (shout out to softball coaches as innovators!). Softball coaches are turning in those really big (and confusing) arm cards for audio and smartwatch communication more quickly.
How coaches are Using C2P
Coaches are experimenting with several different methods of communication. Direct audio, voice commands and sending plays to player’s watches on the field. Many programs continue to simply send pitches to the players to help them quickly prepare and anticipate where the ball will come off the bat. However, many coaches have taken it a step further, sending entire defensive plays to their team instantly. From outfield positioning to pickoff plays, coaches are getting creative.
Method: Right now, coaches favor direct audio by roughly 70 to 30. But there smartwatches are carving out their own lane for larger team usage as well as a more stealthy approach in confined quarters (think softball diamonds). Some clubs blend both: catchers on live audio, infielders glancing at their wrists. Flexibility wins.
Adoption Path
C2P started in the Bigs, as we all know. But team adoption has travelled fast through the semi-pro programs, then to high school as governing bodies green-lit the rule… all the way down to little league 10u. Travel ball and tournament directors are quickly jumping on board as well.
What comes next?
As we enter the back half of the summer season, new user adoption continues to grow. Mostly because coaches are playing other teams who use c2p and see the value. Expect more programs to join the growth as we enter into a Majority of users on the curve. We’ll likely see adoption cresting toward one-third nationwide by the end of the season, which will likely push adoption into the Late Majority by end of next year.
Happy Freedom Day to all! Yesterday, I was walking my two boys through the Revolutionary War and how these rag-tag colonies made a declaration and chose to rise up against a tyrant who wanted to oppress them from an ocean away. All in a desperate attempt to be able to live how they wanted to live… as free as anyone has ever lived in the history of the world. May we all be proud of our ancestors who fought for us and for those who continue to allow us to be the freest people in history. And may the 4th make us all proud to be American.
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