Lilly the dog is no Manny Ramirez, but she sure acts like the Red Sox outfielder when chasing down a flying Frisbee. Scott Krauchunas, associate professor of psychology, caught the interest of The New York Times and the New Hampshire Sunday News with his research comparing the instincts of a Frisbee-catching dog to an outfielder tracking down a fly ball. Intrigued by the "Air Bud" concept, Saturday Night Live also mentioned the study during its Weekend Update with Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon.

Working with researchers at the Arizona State University, Krauchunas is testing the theory of Linear Optical Trajectory, which recognizes that a fly ball travels up then down in a curved line. With a lipstick-sized camera strapped to Lilly and a video in her backpack, Krauchunas tracks the border collie's pattern of travel as she chases down a Frisbee.

One question his research explores is, how does an outfielder (or Lilly in this case) decide where the object will land, so he or she can get there in time to catch it?

Krauchunas believes the answer could help determine how much of the skill is intuitive and how much is learned. The answer may also help Little League coaches decide which kids are better suited for center field and which may have more potential as a pitcher.