Karim Toufiq brings fairness to baseball with ZoneCast technology

City College of New York graduate Karim Toufiq is stepping up to the plate to make amateur baseball more fair and enjoyable for everyone. As co-founder of ZoneCast, Karim is using technology to eliminate one of the sport’s most frustrating problems—inconsistent strike calls.

“Starting in the summer of 2023, we hatched an idea to improve the amateur baseball scene with technology,” Karim explains. What began as a simple webcam experiment has evolved into a camera-and-software system that accurately calls balls and strikes on almost any field.

By reducing disputes and improving accuracy, ZoneCast aims to keep games running smoothly and sportsmanship high. “Inconsistent strike calls often lead to heckling and even physical altercations that serve no place within youth sports,” he says.

With support from his Hunter’s Fund grant, Karim is refining ZoneCast and expanding it to more leagues. His innovation is helping young athletes, coaches, and umpires focus on what truly matters—the love of the game and the spirit of fair play.