Pitched Ball Research Articles

Relationship between impact characteristics and launch direction in softball hitting: A study involving elite players.

In the game of softball, the batter should possess the necessary skills to hit the ball toward various directions with high initial speed. However, because various factors influence each other, there are limitations to the range that can be controlled by the batter’s skill. This study was aimed at extracting the impact characteristics associated with the launch speed/direction and batted ball spin and clarifying the important skills required to improve the batter’s hitting performance. In our experiments, 20 female softball players, who are members of the Japan women’s national softball team, hit balls launched from a pitching machine. The movements of the ball and bat before, during, or after the impact were recorded using a motion capture system. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to extract factors relating the side spin rate. The undercut angle (elevation angle between the bat’s trajectory and the common normal between the ball and bat: ΔR2 = 0.560) and the horizontal bat angle (azimuth of bat’s long axis at ball impact: ΔR2 = 0.299) were strongly associated with the side spin rate (total R2 = 0.893, p < 0.001). The undercut angle in opposite-field hitting was significantly larger than that in pull-side hitting (p < 0.001). The side spin rate was associated with the undercut angle because the bat’s distal (barrel) side inclined downward (–29.6 ± 8.7°) at impact. The ball exit velocity was higher when it was hit at a smaller undercut angle (R2 = 0.523, p < 0.001). Therefore, it is deemed desirable to focus on maximizing the ball exit velocity rather than ball spin because the ball–bat impact characteristics vary inevitably depending on the launch direction. Meanwhile, the use of the ball delivery machine and the slower pitched ball are the limiting factors in the generalization of the findings.

A Hand-Worn Inertial Measurement Unit for Detection of Bat-Ball Impact during Baseball Hitting.

Swinging a baseball bat at a pitched ball takes less than half of a second. A hitter uses his lower extremities to generate power, and coordination of the swing motion gradually transfers power through the trunk to the upper extremities during bat–ball impact. The most important instant of the baseball swing is at the bat–ball impact, after which the direction, speed, height, and distance of the hit ball determines whether runs can be scored. Thus, analyzing the biomechanical parameters at the bat–ball impact is useful for evaluating player performance. Different motion-capture systems use different methods to identify bat–ball impact. However, the level of accuracy to detect bat–ball impact is not well documented. The study aim was to examine the required accuracy to detect bat–ball impact timing. The results revealed that ±2 ms accuracy is required to report trunk and hand kinematics, especially for higher-order time-derivatives. Here, we propose a new method using a hand-worn inertial measurement unit to accurately detect bat–ball impact timing. The results of this study will be beneficial for analyzing the kinematics of baseball hitting under real-game conditions.

Upper body contributions to pitched ball velocity in elite high school pitchers using an induced velocity analysis

Interest in joint and segment contributions to pitched ball velocity has been dominated by inverse dynamic solutions, which is limited in ascertaining complex muscle/joint interactions. Our purpose was to use induced velocity analysis to investigate which joint(s) made the largest contribution to the velocity of a pitched ball. Pitching data were collected from six elite high school-aged pitchers with no history of arm injury. Participants threw a fastball pitch from the windup on flat ground. Data were collected using seven Vicon 612 cameras (250 Hz) and three AMTI force platforms (1000 Hz). A 14-segment biomechanical model (feet, legs, thighs, pelvis, a combined thorax-abdomen-head, i.e., trunk, upper arms, forearms, and hands) was implemented in Visual3D as a dynamic link library built using SD/Fast (PTC) software. Model-generated induced velocity of the ball was validated against ball velocity obtained from a calibrated radar gun. Velocity induced torques at the shoulder just prior to release, and elbow during the cocking phase, contributed 31.0% and 18.1%, respectively, to forward ball velocity. The centripetal/Coriolis effects from the upper arm and forearm velocities made the largest contribution to ball velocity (average 57.8%), but the source of these effects are unknown. The lower extremities and trunk made little direct contribution to pitched ball velocity. These results may have implications with regard to pitching performance enhancement and rehabilitation.

Effect of Manipulating Advanced Kinematic Information on Hitting Movement Prediction, Perception, and Action

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study examined the effect of manipulating advanced kinematic information about opponents’ pitching movement on ball speed prediction, ball speed perception, and impact timing errors under strict temporal constraints (i.e., a softball game). Method: Three experiments were conducted using visual stimuli consisting of varied kinematic information—different pitching movements with the same ball trajectory. In Experiment 1, participants observed the pitching movement of the visual stimuli and predicted pitched ball speed as a two-interval forced choice discrimination task (2IFC). In Experiment 2, participants observed both the pitching movement and ball trajectory, and evaluated the pitched ball speed as a 2IFC. In Experiments 3a and 3b, they tried to swing against the pitched ball presented on the screen as accurately as possible with regard to timing. Results: Batters tended to predict the ball was moving faster when the pitching movement was faster (Experiment 1). Incorrectly predicting the ball speed due to the difference in advanced kinematic information also biased batters’ perception of the speed (Experiment 2), and this biased prediction yielded congruent impact timing (Experiment 3a). The impact timing error of naive participants also was affected by kinematic information (Experiment 3b). Conclusion: Limitations of this study (representative task design, sample size, and experimental procedures) notwithstanding, results indicate that, under strict temporal constraints, batters’ perceptions and actions are sensitive to advanced kinematic information, which could lead to biased perceptions and actions.

The influence of baseball pitching distance on pitching biomechanics, pitch velocity, and ball movement

ObjectivesTo determine whether increasing pitching distance for adult baseball pitchers would affect their upper extremity kinetics, full-body kinematics, and pitched ball kinematics (ball velocity, duration of ball flight, vertical and horizontal break, strike percentage). DesignControlled laboratory study. MethodsTwenty-six collegiate baseball pitchers threw sets of five full-effort fastballs from three different pitching distances (18.44m, 19.05m, 19.41m) in a randomized order. Ball velocity, horizontal and vertical break, duration of ball flight, and strike percentage were computed by a ball tracking system, while pitching kinetics and kinematics were calculated with a 12-camera optical motion capture system. Repeated measures analysis of variance was utilized to detect significant differences among the three different pitching distances (p<0.05). ResultsNo significant differences in pitching kinetics and kinematics were observed among the varying pitching distances. Ball velocity and strike percentage were also not significantly different among the pitching distances, however, the duration of ball flight and horizontal and vertical break significantly increased with pitching distance. ConclusionsIncreasing pitching distance may not alter upper extremity kinetics, full-body kinematics, ball velocity or strike percentage in adult pitchers. However, as pitching distance increases the duration of ball flight and amount of horizontal and vertical break also increase. Increased ball flight duration could be an advantage for the hitter while increased ball break could help the pitcher. In conclusion, it is unlikely that moving the mound backwards would significantly affect pitching biomechanics and injury risk; however, the effects on pitching and hitting performance are unknown.

Games about the Game: A History of Tabletop Baseball

Today, at least in part due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, interest in tabletop games is surging. Baseball is particularly well- represented, with dozens of options ranging from big names like Strat- O- Matic and APBA to more recent offerings like PLAAY's History Maker Baseball, W. M. Akers' Deadball, or SSI's Payoff Pitch Baseball. Payoff Pitch uses dice or FACs to determine whether a pitched ball is put in play or even thrown in the hitter's wheelhouse;History Maker provides players with attributes like Ace or HR King to avoid a lot 138 NINE Vol. 29.1--2 of the math required in other games;and Deadball utilizes a simple system (based on rolling a few four- to twenty- sided dice) and encourages players to create their own J. Henry Waugh- esque universe. For board game fans unconcerned about accuracy, there are also several options. Baseball Highlights 2045 pits human, cyborg, and robot baseball players against one another in a short three- inning card- drafting battle;Bottom of the Ninth isolates the last frame of a tie game to see whether you can roll your team to a game- winning run.

Application Topics of Amorphous Wire CMOS IC Magneto-Impedance Micromagnetic Sensors for I-o-T Smart Society

We proposed ten requisite conditions for successful development of wearable I-o-T smart magnetic sensors considering recent development of some successful micromagnetic sensors. We reported application topics using the amorphous wire CMOS IC magnetoimpedance micromagnetic sensor (MI sensor) on the geomagnetic field sensor for the electronic compass installed in the smartphones, the pitching ball self-spin analyzer installed in the professional baseball, self-driving magnetic guidance system, and the biomagnetic field sensing. Performances of the MI sensor overcoming the ten requisite conditions are discussed as a smart micromagnetic sensor on the basis of the magnetoimpedance effect in the amorphous wire.

A comparison of kinetics in the lower limbs between baseball tee and pitched ball batting

In this study, the kinetic characteristics of lower limbs during batting were investigated by comparing batting off a tee with batting a pitched ball. Participants were 10 male collegiate baseball players who performed tee batting (TB) and batting using a pitching machine (MB; approximate ball speed: 33.3 m/s). Three-dimensional coordinate data were acquired using a motion capture system, and ground reaction forces were measured using three force platforms. Lower limb joint torques were obtained by inverse dynamics calculations. The results indicated that the angular velocity of the lower trunk was larger in TB than in MB for rotation. The swing time from stride foot contact with the ground to ball impact was significantly longer in MB than in TB. The angular impulses of bilateral hip adduction, pivot hip external rotation, and stride hip and knee extension torques were significantly larger in MB, suggesting that batters exert these joint torques earlier for pitched balls to handle time constraints by changing the rotation of the lower trunk in response to the unknown ball location and speed in MB. These findings will help to fill a gap in the literature and provide coaching insights for improving batting motion.

Optimal bat orientation and ball-impact point for maximization of batted ball velocity in opposite field hitting:

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact conditions that enable a batter to hit a pitched ball toward the opposite field. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to construct a model for the impact between a baseball and a wooden baseball bat, and a series of simulations were conducted with various bat angles and under-cut distances. The bat angle at ball impact was set in a horizontal range from -31 to 20° and a vertical range from 0 to 51° with a 3° interval. The under-cut distance was altered by changing the vertical angle of the line of impact in a range from 0 to 30° with a 5° interval. The velocity and angle of projection of the batted ball were determined for each simulated condition. The simulation model was validated by comparing the simulation outcome with the corresponding experimental data obtained from opposite-field hitting practice performed by collegiate baseball players. The results showed that when a batter intends to hit a ball toward a given horizontal angle in the opposite field with the highest speed, the batter should impact the ball with the bat facing about 60% of the horizontal angle toward which to launch the ball and with the line of impact angled upward at 5~10° from the horizontal plane. In addition, the horizontal angle of the batted ball and the velocity of the batted ball were found to change systematically when the vertical angle of the line of impact and the vertical bat angle were altered: For a given horizontal angle toward which to launch the batted ball, there was a trade-off relationship between the vertical angle of the line of impact and the vertical bat angle.

PENGARUH LATIHAN BEBAN TERHADAP KECEPATAN LEMPARANPITCHING BALL PADA ATLET SOFTBALL ACEHTAHUN 2015

The study is titled "The Effect of Weight Training on Speed Pitching Ball At Athlete SoftballAceh Year 2015". This study aims to determine the Effect of Load Training on Speed Pitching Ball At Athlete Soatball Aceh Year 2015. Samples in this study are athletes Softball Aceh special pitcher which amounted to 8 people. The sampling technique is done by totalsampling, ie the sample is taken entirely. Data collection techniques used in this study are as follows: (1) pitching ball throwing test is done by doing Pitching test. Data is processed by using statistical formula in the form of calculation of mean value, standard deviation, and test of two mean (ttes). The result of this research is that there is Influence of Load Exercise on Speed of Pitching Ball at AtletSoftballAceh Year 2015 with average of 9,2357, with t-test of 0,357 and t-table equal to 0,131, so it is clear that t-test is bigger rather than t-tables, it can be concluded that weight training (X) on increasing the speed of the pitching ball (Y) is significant. Hence the hypothesis stating that there is Effect of Load Training on Speed Pitching ball pitch at Athlete Softball Aceh Year 2015 acceptable truth. Suggestion from this research is if exercise done in accordance with its understanding and concept there will be improvement of physical quality, technique and mental in athlete.

The effect of spatial working memory capacity on ball flight perception

Batting in baseball or softball represents a physically and perceptually challenging task. Changes in flight of a high-speed pitched ball require quick and accurate predictions of future location. To be successful, an individual must be able to rapidly gather and process visual information, suggesting an emphasis on spatial working memory. The current experiment assessed if individuals of variant expertise levels (novices and varsity softball players) differed in ability to determine future locations of a pitched ball based on different pitch types and durations. Data suggest an impressive base capability for visual motion prediction including a time appropriate ability to predict motion timing. Additionally, while not central to this capability, data suggest a relevance for spatial working memory in predicting speed. These results demonstrate a need to further investigate a base ability in motion prediction as well as the impact of working memory in high performance skills.

野球の打撃動作における打撃条件の違いが上肢のキネマティクスに及ぼす影響：ティーおよび飛来球打撃条件による比較

The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematic characteristics of the upper body between baseball tee batting and pitched ball batting in order to gain basic knowledge for improvement of batting skill. Ten male collegiate baseball players (age: 20.7±1.1 yr; height: 1.75±0.05 m; body mass: 76.3±7.1 kg; athletic career: 12.7±2.7 yr) participated. They performed 2 kinds of batting: tee batting (TB) and machine-pitch batting (MB) using a pitching machine (approximate ball speed 33.3 m/s), which were set at middle ball height for the strike zone. Three-dimensional coordinate data were acquired with a motion capture system. Kinematic variables such as maximum bat-head speed, swing time, bat angle, joint angles of the upper limbs, and segment angle of the upper trunk were calculated. Differences between TB and MB were analyzed statistically using paired t-test (p<0.05). The maximum bat-head speed was significantly greater in TB than in MB, but swing times divided into 2 phases showed no significant differences between MB and TB. In the first half of the swing, the bat inclination angle was significantly larger in MB than in TB. The joint angles of the barrel-side shoulder abduction, knob-side shoulder adduction and internal rotation were significantly larger in MB than in TB, and those of the barrel-side shoulder internal rotation and individual elbow pronations were significantly larger in TB than in MB. The clockwise rotational angle of the upper trunk was significantly larger in TB than in MB. In the last half of the swing, the joint angles of the barrel-side shoulder abduction, knob-side shoulder flexion and adduction were significantly larger in MB than in TB, and that of the knob-side elbow pronation was significantly larger in TB than in MB. The changes in upper body movement in MB affected the radius of rotation of the bat about the vertical axis to control the bat easily. The movements in the last half of the swing largely resulted from those in the first half of the swing, and did not contribute to timing adjustment. These results indicate that the initial configuration of the bat and upper limbs, and movements at the beginning of the bat swing contribute to the timing adjustment of the bat for a pitched ball. The results of the present study suggest that it could be useful to pay attention to the movement of the bat and upper body in the first half of the swing as TB practice in order to improve timing adjustment.

The effects of baseball bat mass properties on swing mechanics, ground reaction forces, and swing timing

Swing trajectory and ground reaction forces (GRF) of 30 collegiate baseball batters hitting a pitched ball were compared between a standard bat, a bat with extra weight about its barrel, and a bat with extra weight in its handle. It was hypothesised that when compared to a standard bat, only a handle-weighted bat would produce equivalent bat kinematics. It was also hypothesised that hitters would not produce equivalent GRFs for each weighted bat, but would maintain equivalent timing when compared to a standard bat. Data were collected utilising a 500 Hz motion capture system and 1,000 Hz force plate system. Data between bats were considered equivalent when the 95% confidence interval of the difference was contained entirely within ±5% of the standard bat mean value. The handle-weighted bat had equivalent kinematics, whereas the barrel-weighted bat did not. Both weighted bats had equivalent peak GRF variables. Neither weighted bat maintained equivalence in the timing of bat kinematics and some peak GRFs. The ability to maintain swing kinematics with a handle-weighted bat may have implications for swing training and warm-up. However, altered timings of kinematics and kinetics require further research to understand the implications on returning to a conventionally weighted bat.

Relationship Between Performance Variables and Baseball Ability in Youth Baseball Players

The present study investigated the relationship of performance variables and anthropometric measurements on baseball ability in 164 youth baseball players (age: 6.4-15.7 years). To evaluate their baseball performance, ball speeds in pitching and batting were recorded and kinetic energies of the pitched and hit balls were calculated. To record anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics, height and weight were measured and a battery of physical fitness tests covering standing long jump, side steps, sit-ups, 10-m sprint, trunk flexion, back strength, and grip strengths of both hands were conducted. The results of a multiple regression analysis revealed several significant predictors: age, body mass index (BMI), standing long jump, 10-m sprint, and grip strength for pitched ball kinetic energy and age, BMI, standing long jump, and back strength for hit ball kinetic energy. This study provides scientific evidence that relates certain specific physical performance tests and body characteristics with high achievement in the actual performance of pitching and batting. Youth players, their parents, coaches, and trainers would benefit by addressing these characteristics when planning training programs to improve the baseball performance of youth players.

Explicit and implicit learning for anticipation of a pitched ball

Explicit and implicit learning for anticipation of a pitched ball

Effect of Excessive Contralateral Trunk Tilt on Pitching Biomechanics and Performance in High School Baseball Pitchers

Background: There is a growing number of pitching-related upper extremity injuries among young baseball pitchers; however, there is a lack of data on the identification of injury prevention strategies, particularly the prevention of injuries through the instruction/modification of technique. The identification of technical parameters that are associated with increased joint loading is needed. Purpose: To investigate the effects of excessive contralateral trunk tilt, a common technique identifiable by video observation, on pitching biomechanics and performance in high school baseball pitchers. The hypothesis was that this strategy is associated with greater joint loading and poor pitching performance. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The 3-dimensional pitching biomechanics, ball speed, and frontal view of the pitching technique from 72 high school baseball pitchers were captured on video and analyzed. The videos were reviewed to determine if the pitcher’s trunk was excessively contralaterally tilted at the instant of maximal shoulder external rotation by examining whether the side of the pitcher’s head ipsilateral to the throwing limb deviated by more than a head width from a vertical line passing through the pitcher’s stride foot ankle. Upper extremity kinetics and upper extremity/trunk kinematics between pitchers with and without excessive contralateral trunk tilt were compared using independent t tests. Results: Compared with pitchers who did not demonstrate excessive contralateral trunk tilt, those with excessive contralateral trunk tilt pitched at a higher ball speed (mean, 32.6 ± 2.2 vs 31.1 ± 2.9 m/s, respectively; P = .019) and experienced a greater elbow proximal force (mean, 103.9 ± 12.7 vs 93.2 ± 13.9 %weight, respectively; P = .001), shoulder proximal force (mean, 104.8 ± 14.1 vs 94.3 ± 15.5 %weight, respectively; P = .004), elbow varus moment (mean, 4.29 ± 0.73 vs 3.84 ± 0.8 %height*weight, respectively; P = .017), and shoulder internal rotation moment (mean, 4.21 ± 0.71 vs 3.75 ± 0.78 %height*weight, respectively; P = .011). Pitchers with excessive contralateral trunk tilt demonstrated less upper torso flexion at stride foot contact, less upper torso rotation, and greater upper torso contralateral flexion at maximal shoulder external rotation and ball release (P < .05). Conclusion: Excessive contralateral trunk tilt is a strategy that is associated with higher ball speeds and increased joint loading. Clinical Relevance: Pitching with excessive contralateral trunk tilt, which can be identified through screening of the pitching technique, is associated with a benefit in performance and increased joint loading. Future study is warranted to determine if this strategy should be encouraged or discouraged by baseball coaches.

Whole-body and segmental muscle volume are associated with ball velocity in high school baseball pitchers

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between pitching ball velocity and segmental (trunk, upper arm, forearm, upper leg, and lower leg) and whole-body muscle volume (MV) in high school baseball pitchers. Forty-seven male high school pitchers (40 right-handers and seven left-handers; age, 16.2 ± 0.7 years; stature, 173.6 ± 4.9 cm; mass, 65.0 ± 6.8 kg, years of baseball experience, 7.5 ± 1.8 years; maximum pitching ball velocity, 119.0 ± 9.0 km/hour) participated in the study. Segmental and whole-body MV were measured using segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis. Maximum ball velocity was measured with a sports radar gun. The MV of the dominant arm was significantly larger than the MV of the non-dominant arm (P < 0.001). There was no difference in MV between the dominant and non-dominant legs. Whole-body MV was significantly correlated with ball velocity (r = 0.412, P < 0.01). Trunk MV was not correlated with ball velocity, but the MV for both lower legs, and the dominant upper leg, upper arm, and forearm were significantly correlated with ball velocity (P < 0.05). The results were not affected by age or years of baseball experience. Whole-body and segmental MV are associated with ball velocity in high school baseball pitchers. However, the contribution of the muscle mass on pitching ball velocity is limited, thus other fundamental factors (ie, pitching skill) are also important.

Relationship between gluteal muscle activation and upper extremity kinematics and kinetics in softball position players

As the biomechanical literature concerning softball pitching is evolving, there are no data to support the mechanics of softball position players. Pitching literature supports the whole kinetic chain approach including the lower extremity in proper throwing mechanics. The purpose of this project was to examine the gluteal muscle group activation patterns and their relationship with shoulder and elbow kinematics and kinetics during the overhead throwing motion of softball position players. Eighteen Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association softball players (19.2±1.0years; 68.9±8.7kg; 168.6±6.6cm) who were listed on the active playing roster volunteered. Electromyographic, kinematic, and kinetic data were collected while players caught a simulated hit or pitched ball and perform their position throw. Pearson correlation revealed a significant negative correlation between non-throwing gluteus maximus during the phase of maximum external rotation to maximum internal rotation (MIR) and elbow moments at ball release (r=-0.52). While at ball release, trunk flexion and rotation both had a positive relationship with shoulder moments at MIR (r=0.69, r=0.82, respectively) suggesting that the kinematic actions of the pelvis and trunk are strongly related to the actions of the shoulder during throwing.

Separated flow around a rotating gyroball

In baseball, a gyroball is known as a pitched ball which has its rotation axis oriented towards the catcher, i.e., in flight direction, and therefore does not create a lift force. The purpose of this study was to clarify what effect the seams of such a rotating gyroball have on the drag force acting on the ball. Two typical seam patterns, one with two and one with four seams, were selected. First, pitching experiments were carried out to capture the trajectories of various breaking balls. From the obtained trajectories the drag coefficients were estimated. Flow visualization was applied to a heated flying gyroball with the help of the schlieren technique to investigate the flow separation area. To verify the results obtained in the pitching tests, corresponding wind-tunnel experiments were also conducted with a device which allowed the ball to rotate freely in the tunnel. Drag measurements and flow visualization by fog were performed on a rotating gyroball. Both in the pitching and wind-tunnel tests, the drag coefficient of the two-seam gyroball was smaller than that of the four-seam one by 0.04 or approximately 13%. The flow visualization revealed that the flow-separated area of the two-seam gyroball was smaller due to flow reattachment made possible by a more energetic boundary layer. This observation can well explain the drag difference between two- and four-seam gyroballs.

各種パワー発揮能力からみた野球選手における投手と野手の体力特性：フィールドテストのデータをもとに

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of physical fitness in baseball pitchers and infielders focusing on variations in power output ability and stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) ability in field tests. Twenty-five male university pitchers and 22 university infielders participated. They performed five kinds of jumping (Standing triple jump (STJ), Standing double leg triple jump (SDTJ), Standing long jump (SLJ), Counter movement jump (CMJ), 5 rebound jumps (RJ)), and five kinds of medicine ball throw (Overhead throw (OT), Back throw (BT), Push of upper limb (Push), Shoulder horizontal adduction (SHA) and Twist of trunk throw (Twist)). Push, SHA and Twist were performed purely concentrically (concentric throw: CT) and with SSC movement (rebound throw: RT). These powers were assessed using the Throw index (Tauchi et al., 2006), and pre-stretch augmentations (Walshe et al., 1996) were calculated. It was found that: 1) OT, BT and SDTJ in pitchers were significantly higher than in infielders, and that there were significant correlations between pitched ball speed and OT, BT, and SDTJ. 2) Push RT-index and Push CT-index in infielders were significant higher than in pitchers, and significant correlations were found between thrown ball speed, batted ball speed and Push RT-index and Push CT-index in infielders. 3) SHA augmentation in infielders was significantly higher than in pitchers, and there was a significant correlation between thrown ball speed and SHA augmentation in infielders. 4) Twist of trunk power did not differ between pitchers and fielders. These results indicate that baseball pitchers and infielders obtain different physical fitness characteristics through the differences in their movement forms and required abilities.