How Stanford Cardinal Baseball Elevates Performance Using Catapult
At Stanford University, excellence isn’t limited to the classroom—it extends to the field. The Cardinal baseball program has long been synonymous with elite athletic performance, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation. That pursuit led them to adopt Catapult’s athlete monitoring technology, transforming how they train, monitor, and support their players.
“Catapult has given us another tool to make smarter decisions, putting our players in the best position to succeed. It’s not just data—it’s actionable insights,” says Gunnar Cederberg, Assistant Director of Athletic Performance at Stanford.
Why Stanford Turned to Catapult
The decision to integrate Catapult into the program stemmed from Stanford’s desire to enhance player health, performance, and recovery through objective data. After experimenting with different tracking systems, the coaching staff saw Catapult as the ideal solution for its user-friendly interface, advanced metrics, and alignment with the university’s larger athletic goals.
“Stanford Baseball is all about finding that edge,” Cederberg shares. “Catapult has allowed us to monitor player workloads with precision and design training plans that balance intensity and recovery.”
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Bridging the Gap Between Tradition and Innovation
Stanford’s coaching philosophy has always emphasized intuition and feel, but Catapult’s data-driven approach has refined that intuition. By introducing player load, distance covered, and time on feet, the coaching staff has gained a clearer understanding of training demands.
“Baseball is unique. Our players practice far more than they play, taking hundreds of swings or throws in practice compared to a handful in games. Catapult helps us ensure that intensity matches purpose,” explains Cederberg.
Catapult’s metrics also helped Stanford address one surprising revelation: time on feet. Early data showed players spending excessive hours on their feet during scrimmages and doubleheaders, leading to fatigue. With Catapult, they implemented rest protocols and workload management strategies, reducing chronic stress and improving recovery.
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Empowering Players and Coaches Through Data
Stanford’s athletes quickly embraced Catapult’s technology. “Our players are extremely data-driven. Showing them metrics like max velocity or total swings made them buy in instantly,” says Cederberg.
The integration wasn’t just about raw numbers—it was about applying those insights to real-world scenarios. For instance, return-to-play protocols were revolutionized. A pitcher recovering from a shoulder tweak saw his progression carefully monitored with incremental increases in throwing volume and intensity, ensuring a safe return to the mound.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff used acute-to-chronic workload ratios to design high- and low-intensity practice days, balancing player readiness with injury prevention. “We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Cederberg adds, “but we’re taking principles proven in soccer and rugby and adapting them to baseball.”
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
As Stanford Baseball continues its Catapult journey, the team is expanding its focus to advanced metrics like explosive efforts and acceleration rates. Weekly meetings between strength staff, trainers, and coaches ensure the data drives progressive training plans tailored to individual needs.
“It’s not about changing everything,” Cederberg reflects. “It’s about layering technology over our proven methods to gain a competitive edge. Catapult isn’t the entire puzzle—it’s a crucial piece.”
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Pushing the Boundaries of Baseball Performance
Looking ahead, Stanford is excited to integrate new Catapult features and continue refining its approach. “The insights we’ve gained from Catapult have been a game-changer,” says Cederberg.
For other programs considering adopting this technology, his advice is clear: “Start small, focus on what matters to your team, and build from there. The results will speak for themselves.”
In the ever-competitive world of collegiate baseball, Stanford Baseball is proving that innovation, paired with tradition, is the key to sustained excellence.
→ Unlock your team’s potential. Start your Catapult journey here.