Survey of Visual and Predictive Aspects of Batting and Eye Care Utilization in Baseball Players

Abstract

Recent laboratory studies suggest that baseball batters use pre-pitch and post-pitch cues in batting and that high-level batters have excellent visual acuity. This study aimed to survey baseball batters on eye and head tracking and fixation behaviors, whether players received eye examinations during their playing careers, and on players’ recollections of coaching advice. An online survey was sent to potential respondents. Fifty-nine current or former baseball players who participated at the college level (54) or above (5) completed all (58) or most of the survey. Most were Division 3 college players. Survey responses suggested that pre-pitch and post-pitch cues were used by batters and that eye and head-tracking behaviors were similar to those in laboratory studies. Survey answers on batters’ behaviors largely matched answers on coaching advice. Most respondents had received an eye examination while playing, but most had not discussed visiontherapy.