[Event Report] Beyond Limits with Sports Science x IT! "New Balance Baseball Campaign 2026" Assessment Course
This is an event report on the 'New Balance Baseball Campaign 2026' assessment course, jointly conducted by New Balance Japan and NEXT BASE, with event operation supported by Link Sports. It provided a measurement program utilizing sports science and IT, offering personalized feedback to baseball players aged 13-22 to support their growth.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 11:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 13:35 (2h 3m after Collected)
Link Sports Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Hiroyuki Murai) supported the event operation of the assessment course (Prize A) for the 'New Balance Baseball Campaign 2026', jointly implemented by New Balance Japan Co., Ltd. and NEXT BASE Co., Ltd.
This campaign offers a cutting-edge measurement program utilizing sports science and IT to students aged 13-22 who purchased New Balance's baseball shoes 'FuelCell 1000 v1' series and were selected by lottery. This report covers the event held on Tuesday, March 31, at 'Kyulog Stadium' (Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture), which was one of the three venues (Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka).
Knowing Your Current Position: State-of-the-Art Assessment Test
The highlight of this event was a measurement program using state-of-the-art equipment from NEXT BASE, which is also adopted by strong teams and professional sites. On the day, three tests were conducted: 'Pitching Assessment,' 'Hitting Assessment,' and 'Physical Test.'
- Pitching Assessment & Hitting Assessment
In pitching, not only ball speed but also detailed changes based on ball spin rate and spin axis are measured. In hitting, the speed and angle of the swing are converted into data, making it easier to objectively grasp the characteristics of each player.
- Physical Test
In addition to technical aspects, physical potential is also measured. By converting physical elements such as muscle strength and power into data, the current physical level is highlighted.
- Personal Feedback Based on Data
And most importantly, personalized feedback based on the measurement results. Expert analysts extract the strengths and weaknesses of each player from a sports science perspective. Specific advice for performance improvement and lectures on optimal training were provided, and participating students listened with serious eyes.
[Comment from New Balance representative] Towards building a brand that walks with baseball players in each region
We interviewed Mr. Sakai from the Marketing Division of New Balance Japan, who organized this campaign, about the thoughts behind the project and the commitment to the shoes.
—Please tell us about the background of collaborating with NEXT BASE and planning this campaign.
What we value most when developing our baseball category is for players to 'play well' wearing our shoes. We believe that means not just 'playing well by chance today,' but growing through repeated practice. In baseball, footwork is extremely important in all actions of 'throwing, running, and hitting.' We wanted to support players in understanding their body movements through data, not just feeling, and connecting that to their practice from the next day and long-term growth. This is the idea behind this project.
—What was the intention behind making this a campaign that provides 'experience' rather than just 'products'?
'We believe that all players, from top global athletes to those just starting baseball, want to 'get better.' We want to grow with and support everyone who is working hard in their local communities. We will continue to value activities rooted in supporting players by delivering 'experiences' that lead to growth, not just providing goods.
—Regarding the 'FuelCell 1000 v1' series worn by the participants this time, what functions did you want them to experience?
What is most important for properly putting weight into movements and kicking powerfully is the 'position of the spikes.' Our spikes are on the outside, which stabilizes the foot and allows for powerful force. Rather than running fast with light spikes, we want players to experience firmly gripping the ground and kicking powerfully.
—Finally, please tell us about your future outlook.
We will continue to challenge ourselves to deliver even better products. And we want to hold campaigns that provide such experiential opportunities regularly, not just once. We aim to be a brand that continues to grow with and support the growth of baseball players of all ages, from elementary school students to junior high school students.
[Comment from NEXT BASE representative] The power of 'quantification' to accelerate growth
We interviewed Mr. Koji Inishi from NEXT BASE Co., Ltd., who was responsible for this measurement and feedback, about the aim of the program and the importance of data utilization.
—Please tell us about the benefits of this assessment.
Baseball, always starts from a stopped position...
This campaign offers a cutting-edge measurement program utilizing sports science and IT to students aged 13-22 who purchased New Balance's baseball shoes 'FuelCell 1000 v1' series and were selected by lottery. This report covers the event held on Tuesday, March 31, at 'Kyulog Stadium' (Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture), which was one of the three venues (Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka).
Knowing Your Current Position: State-of-the-Art Assessment Test
The highlight of this event was a measurement program using state-of-the-art equipment from NEXT BASE, which is also adopted by strong teams and professional sites. On the day, three tests were conducted: 'Pitching Assessment,' 'Hitting Assessment,' and 'Physical Test.'
- Pitching Assessment & Hitting Assessment
In pitching, not only ball speed but also detailed changes based on ball spin rate and spin axis are measured. In hitting, the speed and angle of the swing are converted into data, making it easier to objectively grasp the characteristics of each player.
- Physical Test
In addition to technical aspects, physical potential is also measured. By converting physical elements such as muscle strength and power into data, the current physical level is highlighted.
- Personal Feedback Based on Data
And most importantly, personalized feedback based on the measurement results. Expert analysts extract the strengths and weaknesses of each player from a sports science perspective. Specific advice for performance improvement and lectures on optimal training were provided, and participating students listened with serious eyes.
[Comment from New Balance representative] Towards building a brand that walks with baseball players in each region
We interviewed Mr. Sakai from the Marketing Division of New Balance Japan, who organized this campaign, about the thoughts behind the project and the commitment to the shoes.
—Please tell us about the background of collaborating with NEXT BASE and planning this campaign.
What we value most when developing our baseball category is for players to 'play well' wearing our shoes. We believe that means not just 'playing well by chance today,' but growing through repeated practice. In baseball, footwork is extremely important in all actions of 'throwing, running, and hitting.' We wanted to support players in understanding their body movements through data, not just feeling, and connecting that to their practice from the next day and long-term growth. This is the idea behind this project.
—What was the intention behind making this a campaign that provides 'experience' rather than just 'products'?
'We believe that all players, from top global athletes to those just starting baseball, want to 'get better.' We want to grow with and support everyone who is working hard in their local communities. We will continue to value activities rooted in supporting players by delivering 'experiences' that lead to growth, not just providing goods.
—Regarding the 'FuelCell 1000 v1' series worn by the participants this time, what functions did you want them to experience?
What is most important for properly putting weight into movements and kicking powerfully is the 'position of the spikes.' Our spikes are on the outside, which stabilizes the foot and allows for powerful force. Rather than running fast with light spikes, we want players to experience firmly gripping the ground and kicking powerfully.
—Finally, please tell us about your future outlook.
We will continue to challenge ourselves to deliver even better products. And we want to hold campaigns that provide such experiential opportunities regularly, not just once. We aim to be a brand that continues to grow with and support the growth of baseball players of all ages, from elementary school students to junior high school students.
[Comment from NEXT BASE representative] The power of 'quantification' to accelerate growth
We interviewed Mr. Koji Inishi from NEXT BASE Co., Ltd., who was responsible for this measurement and feedback, about the aim of the program and the importance of data utilization.
—Please tell us about the benefits of this assessment.
Baseball, always starts from a stopped position...