2025 SMT Data Challenge Registration & Information
Registration Closes April 30th, 2025

2025 DATA

| General Information

The SMT Data Challenge is an advanced data competition where students analyze real-world, player-tracking data. Projects are open-ended, emphasizing process, relevance, creativity and communication rather than purely quantitative analysis. The Data Challenge has become a top recruiting ground for MLB teams—more than 25% of past participants have been hired by professional teams or sports companies.

IF YOU WANT TO STAND OUT AS A JOB CANDIDATE, THIS IS WHERE TO START!

| Eligibility

The SMT Data Challenge is open to STUDENTS ONLY.
Must be 18 years or older and enrolled for both Spring and Fall 2025 semesters
Students may participate individually or in teams (max: 4 students). There is also an option for individuals looking for team members.

| Project Guidelines & Submissions

PROJECT TOPIC

“Good” baseball is all about decision-making. Did events on the field go as planned? This year, we challenge you to use tracking data to infer and analyze player or team “intent.” Possible approaches include:

• Determining who should field a ball and assigning responsibility for misplays
• Evaluating when a fielder should make a play or not
• Analyzing whether a fielder or baserunner moves as intended
• Investigating what an advanced scout can deduce about a team’s strategy

MLB teams have asked to see:

• Effective use of data visualization—compelling graphics that advance storytelling
• Proficiency with "messy" data, effective cleaning, analysis, and justifications for inclusion/exclusion

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS | Deadline August 1

Technical Paper in PDF format (max: 2000 words)
Analysis Code
Results in CSV format

| Judging

Judges from academia, industry, journalism, and sports will evaluate submissions based on creativity, relevance, methodology, storytelling and communication to technical and non-technical audiences.

| Finalist Showcase

Three finalist teams will be invited to a Showcase Weekend at SMT headquarters in Durham, NC to present to a panel of judges.

(Mid-Nov, date TBD)

Optional analysis demo/Q&A sessions:

May 8 – Introduction
May 22 - Analysis
June 5 – Data Visualization
July 3 – Technical Writing

Virtual office hours available: May 6 – July 31

| Key Dates

April 30: Registration Deadline

May 5: Earliest date Data might be available

Aug 1: Submission Deadline

Oct 6: Finalists Announced

Mid-Nov: Finalist Presentations

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2025 Data Challenge Registration Form

Team Captain: Full Name

Team Captain: School Name

Team Captain "Student Email (assigned by your academic institution, such as example@duke.edu):

Are you registering for a team?

Yes

No, I'm participating as an individual.

No, but please help me find a team!

How many people are in your team?

Team Member 2: Full Name

Team Member 2: School Name

Team Member 2: Student Email

Team Member 3: Full Name

Team Member 3: School Name

Team Member 3: Student Email

Team Member 4: Full Name

Team Member 4: School Name

Team Member 4: Student Email

REQUIREMENT: Upon completion of this form, registrants will receive an email containing SMT's Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA). In order to participate, you must sign and return the NDA.

REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL THE SIGNED NDA IS RECEIVED.

I agree to sign and return SMT's Nondisclosure Agreement, and I will abide by its terms.

REQUIREMENT: All participants must be 18 years of age or older.

I certify that I am 18 years of age or older as well as any other members on my team.

REQUIREMENT: All participants must be enrolled as a student in the Spring and Fall Semesters.

I certify that I am a student enrolled in the 2025 Spring and Fall Semesters, as well as any other members of my team.

2025 SMT Data Challenge Registration & Information Registration Closes April 30th, 2025

2025 Data Challenge Registration Form

2025 SMT Data Challenge Registration & Information
Registration Closes April 30th, 2025