St. Joseph's baseball shines using tech, virtual reality

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Since Paul Nasca became the head coach of St. Joseph's baseball team, the Marauders have been the gold standard in Western New York. A big reason for that is their willingness to evolve as a program by using technology.

"You come out and take BP and hit off tees," Nasca said. "It's more of the same, but in a different setting. It keeps it fresh."

The team uses different forms of technology, such as virtual reality goggles. When it was first introduced three years ago, it was quite the adjustment for the kids.

"I struggled with it early on," said St. Joseph's sophomore Mark Rapp.

St. Joseph's senior and Iona signee echoed similar thoughts.

"If anyone has ever used VR goggles, everything is 3D," Nasca said. "It's kind of right at you and like, 'Woah.'"

The virtual reality goggles offer the players more experience versus different pitches and velocity. They even have the ability to face MLB pitchers like Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.

"Say you're at home and inside and you can't necessarily see a live arm everyday," Rapp said. "If you're struggling with a certain pitch, you can turn the goggles on and replicate that pitch as many times as you want."

Panepinto said the biggest benefit is that he can get as many repetitions as he needs to feel comfortable.

"You can't get live action on the field everyday," Panepinto said.

The Marauders also have Senaptec glasses at their disposal. They flicker at different speeds to help the batters focus in on their targets.

"It tries to keep your movement simple," Rapp said. "Because if your movement and eyes are everywhere, it's going to make it harder to see the ball when your vision is already impaired. Like when you take them off, it makes the ball look so much bigger."

Nasca made it clear: nothing can replaces the real thing.

"This is a supplement that let's you do additional training," he said. "Someone may be in the cage and someone may be waiting to hit. They might throw the goggles on and take a couple swings off the VR. Maybe they're just on the tee with the blinkers — just to get some extra training in those down times."

St. Joseph's is aiming for their seventh league title since Nasca took over in 2011.