Performance Of Professional Baseball Players Research Articles

Poster 205: Performance and Return to Sport Following Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair with Internal Brace Augmentation in Professional Baseball Players

Objectives: Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) has been the gold standard treatment for symptomatic UCL injuries in throwing athletes. Recently, a novel technique of UCL repair with suture augmentation has been described and shown promising biomechanical as well as clinical results in a few small series of nonprofessional athletes. An added advantage of this technique over UCLR is that it affords the potential ability to return to competitive throwing with an accelerated timeline of 6-7 months as opposed to 12-18 months. No prior work has described the outcomes of this technique in professional athletes. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and rate of return to prior level of sport as well as athletic performance of professional baseball players following UCL repair with Internal Brace augmentation. Methods: This study included all professional Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players who underwent primary UCL repair with Internal Brace from January 2016 to June 2021. Demographic and performance data were recorded for each player. Performance metrics were then compared from one year preinjury against one year postoperative metrics. The return to play date was recorded. Univariate statistical analysis was performed to compare preinjury to postoperative performance (p< 0.05 considered statistically significant). Results: Fifteen players met inclusion criteria (8 MLB and 7 MiLB). Mean age was 28.2 +/- 4.06 years at time of surgery. There were 10 pitchers and 5 position players. All injuries were to the dominant extremity. No players underwent revision surgery during the study period. 93.3% (14/15) of players returned to sport and eventually prior level of competition. Average time to return to sport was 11.5 +/- 4.27 months and average time to prior level of competition was 12.1 +/- 4.61 months. When comparing competitive performance of players that returned successfully, one year preinjury to one year postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference observed in performance [Table 1]. Conclusions: This study demonstrates promising early results of UCL repair with Internal Brace augmentation in professional baseball players. 93.3% of players were able to return to sport in under 12 months. All players, pitcher and position, that returned to sport were able to return to their prior level of play. No statistically significant drop in performance was observed in players that were able to return to play. Further clinical evaluation of UCL repair with Internal Brace augmentation and direct comparison of this procedure with UCL reconstruction is warranted. [Table: see text]

Timing of Return to Batting Milestones Following Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Baseball Players

Objectives:Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is a common procedure in professional baseball position players. Timing of return to hitting following UCLR is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the time to return to batting milestones after UCLR as well as the effect of UCLR upon batting performance in professional baseball players. The authors’ hypothesized that position players would return to batting in an in-season game prior to fielding in an in-season game and hitting performance would remain unchanged following UCLRMethods:All professional position players who underwent UCLR between 2010-2018 were included. Time to batting milestones following UCLR was analyzed. Batting performance before and after UCLR was compared and analyzed.Results:Overall, 141 UCLRs (96% performed on the dominant arm) in 137 position players were included (86% minor leaguers). Four players underwent revision, all within one year of the primary UCLR. With regard to position, catchers and shortstops were over-represented. With regard to batting side, 57% batted from the right and 12% batted as switch-hitters, and thus 76% of surgeries were on the lead arm. While 91% of players were able to return to any throwing at all, there was a progressive gradual decline during the rehabilitation progress such that 77% were able to return to hitting in a real game and 75% were able to return to fielding in a real game. The first dry swing occurred at 150±49 days after surgery, first batting practice occurred at 195±58 days after surgery, and first hitting in a real game occurred at 323±92 days after surgery. However, players generally saw a decrease in their utilization, with fewer at bats (p<0.001) translating into fewer hits (p<0.001) and runs (p<0.001).Conclusion:Professional position players begin swinging at 150 days following UCLR while they do not hit batting practice until 195 days and do not hit in a real game until 323 days following UCLR. Players saw a decrease in hitting utilization following UCLR.Figure 1.

A Comparison of Cardinal Gaze Speed between Major League Baseball Players, Amateur Prospects, and Non-athletes

PurposeSensorimotor variables have been shown to predict performance in professional baseball players. However, cardinal gaze speed in baseball players has received only limited attention. This study tested the hypothesis that the cardinal gaze speed in Major League Baseball (MLB) players would be faster than in amateur prospects and non-athletes.&#x0D; MethodSeventeen MLB athletes, 160 amateur prospects, and 128 non-athletes were tested using an eye-tracking test (i.e., the RightEye CGP test) designed to measure cardinal gaze speed.&#x0D; ResultsMLB players had significantly faster cardinal gaze speed than either amateur prospects or non-athletes. Moreover, there were significant differences in cardinal gaze speed across different directions. ConclusionsThis was the first study to examine the speed of gaze in the cardinal positions in an athletic context. The results highlight the significant difference in cardinal gaze speed between MLB players, amateur prospects, and non-athletes.

Timing of Return to Batting Milestones After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Baseball Players

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is a common procedure in professional baseball position players. Timing of return to hitting after UCLR is unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine the time to return to batting milestones after UCLR as well as the effect of UCLR upon batting performance in professional baseball players. The hypothesis was that position players would return to batting in an in-season game before fielding in an in-season game, and hitting performance would remain unchanged after UCLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All professional position players who underwent UCLR between 2010 and 2018 were included. Time to batting milestones after UCLR was analyzed. Batting performance before and after UCLR was compared and analyzed. Results: Overall, 141 UCLRs (96% performed on the dominant arm) in 137 position players were included (86% Minor League players). Four players underwent revision, all within 1 year of the primary UCLR. With regard to position, catchers and shortstops were overrepresented. With regard to batting side, 57% batted from the right and 12% batted as switch-hitters. Of the surgeries, 76% were on the trail/back arm. While 91% of players returned to some form of throwing, there was a progressive gradual decline as the rehabilitation process progressed, as only 77% were able to return to hitting in a real game and 75% were able to return to fielding in a real game. The first dry swing occurred at 150 ± 49 days after surgery, the first batting practice occurred at 195 ± 58 days after surgery, the first hitting in a real game occurred at 323 ± 92 days after surgery, and the first fielding in a real game occurred at 343 ± 98 days after surgery. However, players generally saw a decrease in their utilization, with fewer at bats (P < .001) translating into fewer hits (P < .001) and runs (P < .001). Conclusion: Professional position players begin swinging at 150 days (approximately 5 months) after UCLR, while they do not hit in batting practice until 195 days (approximately 6.5 months) and do not hit in a real game until 323 days (approximately 10.7 months) after UCLR. Players see a decrease in hitting utilization after UCLR. On average, players hit in a real game 20 days before fielding in a real game.

Performance and Return to Sport Following Open Reduction Internal Fixation About the Elbow in Professional Baseball Players

Objectives: The results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of stress reactions and fractures of the olecranon in professional baseball players with regards to return to sport (RTS) are unknown. The purpose was to determine the RTS rate and performance in professional baseball players following ORIF of acute, displaced olecranon fractures and olecranon stress fractures, and to compare RTS rate and performance to matched controls. The authors hypothesized that there is a high rate of RTS in professional baseball players following ORIF of acute, displaced olecranon fractures and olecranon stress fractures with no significant difference in rate of RTS or performance, specifically related to the primary outcome performance variables of win-loss percentage (W-L%), WHIP ((walks +hits)/innings pitched), fielding independent pitching (FIP), and wins above replacement (WAR)) between cases and controls between cases and controls. Methods: All professional baseball players who underwent ORIF of the olecranon between 2010-2016 were included. Demographic and performance data (pre and post surgery) for each player was recorded. Performance metrics were then compared between cases and a group of matched controls. Results: Overall, 52 professional baseball players (average age 22.6 +/- 3.6 years) underwent ORIF of an olecranon fracture. The majority of players sustained a primary olecranon stress fracture (73%), that was fixed with one screw (60%), with a RTS rate of 67.5%. No difference in RTS rate existed between matched controls and the players. No significant difference existed between the primary preoperative and postoperative performance (change in performance) metrics for pitchers who underwent ORIF of an acute, displaced olecranon fracture or ORIF of a primary olecranon stress fracture. No significant difference existed between pitchers who underwent ORIF of a primary olecranon stress fracture and matched controls in any of the primary performance metrics. Conclusion: Professional baseball players who undergo ORIF of an olecranon fracture (either acute, displaced or stress fracture) have a RTS rate of 67.5%, which is no different than natural attrition from matched controls. No decline in performance metrics is seen in players who are able to RTS when compared to their preoperative performance, or to the performance of matched controls.

The Relationship Between Body Composition with Peak Force and Anaerobic Power in Collegiate Baseball Players

While total lean body mass accretion (TLBM) has been shown to have a positive association with performance in professional baseball players (Hoffman et al., 2009), there is a paucity of data demonstrating the relationship between body composition with power performance in collegiate athletes. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between multiple body composition parameters with peak force and anaerobic power in division II collegiate baseball players. METHODS: This was a retrospective study in which four years of body composition data was analyzed to determine its association with peak force and anaerobic power performance for 95 collegiate baseball players (age: 21.1±1.0 yrs.; height: 1.84 ±0.05m; body mass: 87.9±11.1kg). Each subject performed a DEXA scan as well as a performance test of either a countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) (n=66) and/or a Wingate test (WIN) (n=43). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze the association between body composition parameters (i.e., TLBM, lower body lean mass [LBLM], body fat percentage [BF] and body mineral component [BMC]) with vertical jump peak force (CMJPF) and anaerobic power (i.e., absolute peak power [PP] and absolute average power [AP] on the Wingate test,. RESULTS: TLBM was strongly correlated to WIN (PP: r=0.777; p<0.0001, AP: r=0.808; p<0.0001), but only moderately correlated to CMJ (CMJPF: r=0.488; p<0.001). LBLM was also strongly correlated to WIN (PP: r=0.0.660; p<0.0001, AP: r=0.738; p<0.0001) but only moderately correlated to CMJ (CMJPF: r=0.467; p=0.002). BF had a weak correlation with WIN (PP: r=0.244; p=0.049, AP: r=0.295; p=0.042) and no significant correlation with CMJ (CMJPF: r=0.026; p=0.869). BMC was strongly correlated to WIN (PP: r=0.713; p<0.0001, AP: r=0.776; p<0.0001) and moderately correlated to CMJ (CMJPF: r=0.519; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggests a strong positive relationship between lean body mass, including bone, with anaerobic power but only a moderate relationship with peak force. Moreover, BMC was strongly correlated to performance probably because athletes with more TLBM had greater BMC. Surprisingly, there was no association between body fat percentage and performance.

Performance and Return to Sport After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of the Olecranon in Professional Baseball Players

Background: The results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of stress reactions and fractures of the olecranon among professional baseball players with regard to return to sport (RTS) are unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis: To determine the RTS rate and performance of professional baseball players after ORIF of acute, displaced olecranon fractures and olecranon stress fractures and to compare the RTS rate and performance with that of matched controls. The authors hypothesized that there is a high rate of RTS among professional baseball players after ORIF of acute, displaced olecranon fractures and olecranon stress fractures with no significant difference in rate of RTS or performance between cases and controls. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All professional baseball players who underwent ORIF of the olecranon between 2010 and 2016 were included. Demographic and performance data (before and after surgery) for each player were recorded. Performance metrics were then compared between cases and a group of matched controls. Results: Overall, 52 professional baseball players (mean ± SD age, 22.6 ± 3.6 years) underwent ORIF of an olecranon fracture. The majority of players sustained a primary olecranon stress fracture (73%) that was fixed with 1 screw (60%), with an overall RTS rate of 67.5%. No difference in RTS rate existed between matched controls and the cases. No significant difference existed between the primary pre- and postoperative performance metrics (ie, change in performance) for pitchers who underwent ORIF of an acute, displaced olecranon fracture or ORIF of a primary olecranon stress fracture. No significant difference existed between pitchers who underwent ORIF of a primary olecranon stress fracture and matched controls in any of the primary performance metrics. Three cases and 2 controls underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction later in their careers after olecranon ORIF. Conclusion: Professional baseball players who undergo ORIF of an olecranon fracture (acute, displaced, or stress) have an RTS rate of 67.5% (57.6% to the same or higher level), which is no different from natural attrition among matched controls. No decline in performance metrics was seen among players who were able to RTS when compared with their preoperative performance or the performance of matched controls.

The Hand-eye Coordination of Professional Baseball Players: The Relationship to Batting.

A visuomotor skill (eye-hand visual-motor reaction time [EH-VMRT]) important for baseball performance is described. Eye-hand visual-motor reaction time represents the integration of visual information, perceptually based decisions, and motor movements to accomplish a specific task. The speed at which this occurs depends on many factors, some visual, some perceptual, and some motor related. The purpose of this study was to describe the EH-VMRT ability and evaluate its relationship to the baseball batting performance of professional baseball players. A commercially available EH-VMRT system was used on 450 professional baseball players. Results were retrospectively compared with standard, career, plate discipline metrics. Statistically significant correlations were found between the EH-VMRT metrics and plate discipline batting metrics. Better EH-VMRT ability also correlated with longer service in, and likelihood to achieve, the major-league level. The better (top 20%) EH-VMRT group had three fewer at bats before gaining a walk (22% decrease), as well as swinging 10 to 12% less often at pitches outside the strike zone and 6 to 7% less often at pitches in the strike zone as compared with the bottom 20% group. In addition, EH-VMRT displays a threshold-like relationship with the ability to gain a walk. These results describe the EH-VMRT ability of professional baseball players and show a significant relationship between the EH-VMRT ability and batting performance. These results may suggest a possible role in player selection, indicating that batters with better EH-VMRT may be more likely to reach the major-league level and be more productive for their team. Further studies will be needed to demonstrate whether training better EH-VMRT results in improved batting performance.

Evaluation Model for Baseball Players of National Team-Application of Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Making

The performance of professional baseball players infects personal wages and the value of the game. Players are under pressure from fans and sponsors. It is important to develop an evaluation model that examines player performance using scientific methods. Since the evaluation is complicated and uses multiple criteria, this study applies multi-criteria decision making to create a hierarchical model to understand the relevance of the variables. Utilizing fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), we classify the characteristics of the performance evaluation index and study its attributes to determine their weights. Our conclusions are as follows. The most important criteria for catchers is defense, cooperation, ability to hit, psychological strength, and pitch choice. Finally, an analysis of the data from the 17 th program of The Chinese Professional Baseball League with techniques for order preference by similarity to ideal solution, we have found that the results from performance analysis on the best catcher is different from the results of a journalist poll.

Predictors of Fielding Performance in Professional Baseball Players

The ultimate zone-rating extrapolation (UZR/150) rates fielding performance by runs saved or cost within a zone of responsibility in comparison with the league average (150 games) for a position. Spring-training anthropometric and performance measures have been previously related to hitting performance; however, their relationships with fielding performance measures are unknown. To examine the relationship between anthropometric and performance measurements on fielding performance in professional baseball players. Body mass, lean body mass (LBM), grip strength, 10-yd sprint, proagility, and vertical-jump mean (VJMP) and peak power (VJPP) were collected during spring training over the course of 5 seasons (2007-2011) for professional corner infielders (CI; n = 17, fielding opportunities = 420.7 ± 307.1), middle infielders (MI; n = 14, fielding opportunities = 497.3 ± 259.1), and outfielders (OF; n = 16, fielding opportunities = 227.9 ± 70.9). The relationships between these data and regular-season (100-opportunity minimum) fielding statistics were examined using Pearson correlation coefficients, while stepwise regression identified the single best predictor of UZR/150. Significant correlations (P < .05) were observed between UZR/150 and body mass (r = .364), LBM (r = .396), VJPP (r = .397), and VJMP (r = .405). Of these variables, stepwise regression indicated VJMP (R = .405, SEE = 14.441, P = .005) as the single best predictor for all players, although the addition of proagility performance strengthened (R = .496, SEE = 13.865, P = .002) predictive ability by 8.3%. The best predictor for UZR/150 was body mass for CI (R = .519, SEE = 15.364, P = .033) and MI (R = .672, SEE = 12.331, P = .009), while proagility time was the best predictor for OF (R = .514, SEE = 8.850, P = .042). Spring-training measurements of VJMP and proagility time may predict the defensive run value of a player over the course of a professional baseball season.

The effect of laser refractive surgery on the on-field performance of professional baseball players

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of laser refractive surgery on the offensive performance of professional baseball players. Extensive search of the public media was conducted to determine which major league baseball players had undergone laser refractive surgery and when the procedure was performed. Baseball performance data were then used to determine presurgery and postsurgery baseball performance averages. A total of 17 position players were identified; however, 5 of these players were not considered in the analysis owing to insufficient playing experience either before or after the laser procedure. No statistically significant or practically significant difference was found between the presurgery and postsurgery means on either on-base percentage (P = 0.31), batting average (P = 0.39), slugging percentage (P = 0.66) or on-base plus slugging (OPS; P = 0.997) of major league baseball players. These preliminary findings suggest that professional baseball players should not expect a laser refractive surgical procedure to significantly improve their offensive baseball performance, despite the elimination of glasses or contact lens wear.

The effect of ocular dominance on the performance of professional baseball players

Objective The purpose of the study was to determine whether a performance difference exists between baseball players with “same” (right-right) and “crossed” (right-left) hand-ocular dominance. Design A cohort study design was used. Participants Four hundred and ten major and minor league members of the Los Angeles Dodgers professional baseball team. Intervention Measurement of ocular dominance. Main outcome measures Batting average and earned run average (ERA). Results Same/crossed dominance (with P values in parentheses) are as follows: Batting averages: major league—0.271/0.251 (0.20); minor league—0.274/0.270 (0.57); ERA: major league—3.34/3.56 (0.66); minor league—4.00/4.20 (0.54). Conclusions Hand—ocular dominance patterns do not have an effect on batting average or ERA.

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE OVER TIME: GROWTH CURVE APPLICATIONS.

The study of individual performance over time has been primarily focused on either the mean change or the relative stability of performance. These methods of investigating individual performance, however, can obscure intraindividual change patterns. The utility of estimating individual growth curves is demonstrated using longitudinal performance of professional baseball players.

Influences on the appropriateness of confidence in judgment: Practice, effort, information, and decision-making

Two experiments were conducted to examine several potential influences on the appropriateness of confidence in judgment. Specifically, confidence in judgment was expected to increase with practice, effort, decision-making, and the availability of relevant information. Accuracy in judgment was not expected to increase as much as confidence. College men ( n = 287) used various measures of baseball performance to predict the overall performance of professional baseball players. Feedback on judgments was not provided. The judgment task was designed to simulate activities commonly performed by practitioners in applicant selection settings. These activities included assessing ability, predicting performance, and selecting/rejecting applicants. Consistent with predictions, results showed that confidence in judgment increased with both practice and effort, whereas accuracy sometimes increased and under other conditions remained the same. Changes over trials in the amount of information for making judgments influenced the relation between confidence and practice. Contrary to expectations, confidence in judgment was lowest when decisions based on judgment had already been made. Implications for judgment and decision-making in applied settings are discussed.