Professional Baseball Players Research Articles

Professional Baseball Players Return to the Same Level of Play With No Effects on Performance After Operative Treatment of Batter’s Shoulder

Professional Baseball Players Return to the Same Level of Play With No Effects on Performance After Operative Treatment of Batter’s Shoulder

Fundamental study on ambient noise reduction for analysis of hitting sound of professional baseball players

In recent years, the sound of a hitting ball during a baseball game has focused attention on the American Major League Baseball and Japanese professional baseball. It is reported that information such as the direction and distance of a batted ball can be detected from the sound. The sounds of players hitting the ball are sometimes expressed using various onomatopoeic. In our previous study, we recorded the sound of a baseball hit during hitting practice for players of a university baseball team in the Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan. Relationships between the acoustic characteristics of the sound and the distance and direction of the ball were clarified. In this research, acoustic analysis of professional baseball players' batted ball sounds from Youtube and other videos is used to identify the acoustic features and characteristics of the batted ball. This paper describes the method and accuracy of noise removal around the hitting sound extracted from the video using a convolutional neural network with images.

Hand size association with ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in professional baseball players

BackgroundUlnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries in professional baseball remains a significant problem with debate as to which are the greatest risk factors. Currently, it is unknown if hand size should be considered a predictor for UCL injury. A larger or smaller hand size could have implications on fatigue of the forearm musculature and thus varying amounts of strain seen by the ulnar collateral ligament. Hypothesis/PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate if there is a correlation between hand size and history of UCL tear requiring a reconstruction. We hypothesize that a smaller hand size will be correlated with higher UCL reconstruction rates in professional baseball players. MethodsOne-hundred and eighty-nine professional players from one Major League Baseball organization were recruited in this retrospective study. Four different measurements were used for hand size including: the distance from the tip of long finger to wrist crease (closed fingers), the distance from the thumb tip to the small fingertip (closed fingers), the distance between thumb tip and small fingertip (spread fingers) and a modified Nirschl measurement (closed fingers). Statistical analysis including t test, Chi-Square test, Pearson correlation, and binary logistic regression were performed to determine the statistical significance between these hand size measurements and a history of UCL reconstruction. ResultsThere were 25/189 (13.2%) of players with a history of UCL reconstruction surgery. The mean age of UCL reconstruction group (23.6 ± 3.3years) was younger than the non-reconstruction group (26.2 ±3.6) (p=0.001). Statistical analysis demonstrated the distance between thumb tip and small fingertip (spread fingers) was smaller in the UCL reconstruction group compared to the non-reconstruction group (20.33 ± 1.18cm vs 20.98 ± 1.03cm; p=0.024) and the modified Nirschl measurement (closed fingers) was shorter in the UCL reconstruction group (14.45 ± 0.7cm vs 14.86 ± 0.91cm; p=0.013). Findings were most notable in players younger than 21 years old with UCL reconstruction rates of (57.1%) versus players older than 21 years (9.7%) (p<0.001). Statistical analysis demonstrated a correlation and regression between injury probability and hand measurements (p=0.01). ConclusionThis study demonstrated that a smaller hand size did correlate with a history of UCL reconstruction in this professional baseball population of players. Further studies are warranted to investigate these associations.

Yoga and Mindfulness Training for Professional Baseball Players: A Narrative Study on Perspectives and Practices.

Mindfulness-related practices (e.g., yoga) appear aligned with the field of athletic performance in developing sport-related capacities such as attention regulation, volition, perception, and coping. The purpose of the present narrative study was to explore the experiences of professional baseball players who interacted with the ideas and practices of mindfulness presented in classes featuring yoga and Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC). Participants were seven Minor League Baseball players who learned mindfulness practices in off-season instructional classes and then completed semi-structured episodic interviews on how their mindfulness practices were perceived and utilized in training and competition during the baseball season. Data were analyzed using the three-dimensional space approach to examine participants' subjective accounts of experience, behavior, environmental conditions, and external events. Individual narratives were re-storied and themed. Results indicated various themes across settings, from players' experiences in the yoga/MAC classes (effect of breath regulation on coping strategies; self-awareness and the mind-body connection), on the baseball field (confidence and self-efficacy; self-regulation; resilience and positive coping strategies), and off the baseball field (everyday life and activities; stigma of mental training). Overall, participants appeared to be accepting of mindfulness integrated into their training and provided perspectives supporting the benefits of yoga/MAC classes. This study has research and practice implications in incorporating yoga and mindfulness-based practices in athletic performance among young professional athletes.

Employee assistance program for players in the Chinese Professional Baseball League

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) offer services that assist in the management of problems faced by employees. EAP can assist in addressing employee-related issues in various workplaces, including the problems faced by professional baseball players. The purpose of this study is to develop the framework for a suitable EAP for the players of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). This study chose the modified Delphi method to develop the EAP for players of the CPBL. The selection of members of the expert panel was based on their expertise in human resource management, counseling, EAP, and sports management, as well as retired professional baseball players. The two rounds of nine-week survey were conducted to collect the opinions of the panel experts. The results indicated that EAP for CPBL players fall into four categories: EAP about work, which can help players pursue their career development; EAP about health, which can help players maintain their physical and mental health; EAP about family life, which can help improve the quality of life of players and their families; and other EAP, which can be used to establish communication channels with the teams. There are a total of 40 EAP items developed in this study.

Poster 175: Performance and Time Until Return to Sport After Hand Fractures in Professional Baseball Players

Objectives: In an analysis of injuries across professional baseball from 2011-2016, there were 4,478 hand injuries reported, resulting in 67,036 days missed. Fractures of the hand are significant injuries that often require surgical intervention, especially those of the phalanx. However, post-injury performance metrics after both operative and nonperative treatment of hand fractures have not been previously analyzed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to report the demographics, time until return to sport (RTS), and offensive performance outcomes in professional baseball players with various hand fractures. Methods: The Major League Baseball (MLB) Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS) database was utilized to identify MLB and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players who were diagnosed with a hand fracture from 2011-2022. The HITS database provided data reported by the player’s sports medicine staff regarding mechanism/timing of injury, which specific joint was affected, whether operative or nonoperative treatment was pursued, the time until RTS, and offensive performance statistics. Hand fractures not related to baseball were excluded, and pitchers were excluded from the offensive performance analysis. Performance data was grouped into pre-injury (1 year prior to injury date) as well as various post-RTS time points, and performance data regarding operative vs. nonoperative treatment and player position (infielder, outfielder, catcher) was isolated. Results: Overall, 878 professional baseball players experienced a hand fracture over the 12-year study period. The majority of players were infielders (40%) or outfielders (30%), and the metacarpal was the most commonly affected joint (50%) (Table 1). Players returned to sport at a mean of 58±46 days after injury. There were 177 (20%) players who required operative treatment, and these players returned to sport later than players who underwent nonoperative treatment (85 days vs. 51 days, p&lt;0.001) (Table 2). Rates of operative treatment and time until RTS did not differ based on player position (p&gt;0.05). Joint fractured did not significantly affect time until RTS in players treated operatively, however in players treated nonoperatively fractures of the metacarpal took the longest time until RTS (63 days) while fractures of the distal phalanx took the shortest time (31 days). Position players experienced a significant drop in batting average, on-base percentage (OBP), slugging percentage (SLG), and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) (Table 3), and this pattern was similar when isolating performance outcomes between players who received non-operative and operative treatment. While catchers experienced the most significant loss of offensive performance, infielders and outfielders also experienced a significant drop in OPS that improved over time, but did not return to baseline, up to 1 year after hand fracture (Figure 1). Conclusions: Following hand fracture, professional baseball players were able to RTS in about two months after nonoperative treatment and in about three months after operative treatment. While player position did not affect time until RTS and rates of operative treatment, player position did affect offensive performance upon RTS, with catchers experiencing the most significant loss of offensive performance. Clinicians should consider the joint affected, treatment plan, and position of the player when planning a RTS timeline and when discussing performance expectations after RTS.

Is There a Relationship Between Grip Strength and Injuries in Professional Baseball Players?

Injuries in professional baseball players have become exceedingly common. Efforts to mitigate injury risk have focused on the kinetic chain, shoulder motion, and so forth. It is unclear whether grip strength is related to injury risk in professional baseball pitchers. The purpose of this study was to determine if grip strength was a risk factor for injury. It was hypothesized that pitchers with weaker grip strength would have a higher likelihood of sustaining a shoulder or elbow injury compared with pitchers with stronger grip strength. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. All professional pitchers from a single Major League Baseball organization were included. Dominant and nondominant grip strength were measured after each pitching outing throughout the 2022 season. Injuries over the course of the season were recorded, and data were compared between pitchers who sustained a shoulder or elbow injury and those who did not. Overall, 213 pitchers were included, of whom 53 (24.9%) sustained a shoulder or elbow injury during the season. The mean grip strength for all pitchers was 144.0 ± 20.8 lb (65.3 ± 9.4 kg). The mean dominant-arm grip strength was 142.6 ± 20.8 lb (64.7 ± 9.4 kg) for pitchers who did not sustain a shoulder or elbow injury and 148.2 ± 20.9 lb (67.2 ± 9.5 kg) for pitchers who did sustain an injury, with no significant group difference in grip strength (P > .05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in change in grip strength over the course of the season between the groups. There was no significant difference in mean grip strength or change in grip strength over the course of a single season between professional baseball pitchers who sustained a shoulder or elbow injury and those who did not.

Baseball Data Utilization by Korean Professional Baseball Players Focusing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology as well as Technology Readiness

PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the structural relationships between technology-related factors and the intention to use baseball data, drawing upon the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and technology readiness (TR). METHODS Survey data from 203 Korean professional baseball players were used in frequency, reliability, correlation, and confirmatory factor analyses as well as structural equation modeling. RESULTS Positive TR positively influenced performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and conditions facilitating baseball data use. Negative TR did not significantly impact performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and conditions facilitating baseball data use. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions were found to positively influence data use intention, while social influence did not significantly impact data use intention. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that increasing performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating condition factors could be key to enhancing the intention to utilize baseball data.

Is Workload Associated With Oblique Injuries in Professional Baseball Players?

Oblique strains have become a common injury among professional baseball players. The influence of player workload on oblique strains remains unknown. To determine whether workload is a risk factor for oblique strains in professional baseball players. We hypothesized that fewer days of rest, more innings pitched/fielded per game, and more batters faced/plate appearances per game would significantly increase a player's risk of sustaining an oblique strain. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. All professional baseball players who sustained an oblique strain between 2011 and 2017 were identified using the Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System. A separate dataset of player usage-days of rest per game, innings pitched or fielded per game, and batters faced or plate appearances per game-was used to determine the workload. We compared these usage variables between player games ≤2, ≤6, ≤12, and >12 weeks before a documented oblique strain with player games from a control group of players with no oblique strains. In a paired analysis, we compared acute (player games ≤2, ≤6, and ≤12 weeks preinjury) versus chronic (player games >12 weeks preinjury) workloads. There were 311 oblique strains in pitchers and 392 oblique strains in position players during the study period. In pitchers, more innings pitched and more batters faced were associated with a subsequent oblique strain (P < .001 for all). In position players, fewer days of rest, more innings fielded, and more plate appearances were associated with a subsequent oblique strain (P < .001 for all). Pitchers who pitched ≥7 innings per game had a 2.4-fold (95% CI, 1.4-4.9) increased risk of subsequent oblique strain compared with those who pitched 1 inning per game. The percentage of position players with a subsequent oblique strain increased by 2.1-fold (95% CI, 1.3-3.5) with >4 plate appearances compared with 1 plate appearance per game. Our analysis demonstrated that workload was associated with an increased risk of sustaining an oblique injury in professional baseball players. High workload over time was more predictive of oblique strains compared to acute increases over chronic baseline workload.

Ulnar collateral ligament repair in professional baseball players.

While initial reports of surgical repair of ulnar collateral ligament tears are promising, studies detailing post-repair outcomes are lacking. This study explores the effectiveness of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair in returning professional baseball players to their pre-injury level of play. Our hypothesis is that professional baseball players undergoing UCL repair will have successful outcomes and high return to sport rates after surgery. Publicly available databases were utilized to search for data on professional baseball players who underwent UCL repair from 2016 to 2021. Players undergoing primary UCL repair with an internal brace were included. Amateur players were excluded as were those undergoing revision UCL repair or UCL reconstruction. Of the 11 pitchers who underwent UCL repair, minor league baseball (MiLB) pitchers returned to the sport at an average of 17.5 months. MiLB pitchers had similar earned run averages (ERAs), games played, innings pitched, and walks plus hits per inning pitched ratios (WHIPs) before and after surgery. Four major league baseball (MLB) pitchers (80%) returned to the sport at 9.55 months. MLB pitchers played fewer games and pitched fewer innings than before the surgery, but their ERAs and WHIPs were similar before and after surgery. Pitch velocity and spin rates after surgery varied based on pitch type. The seven positional players who underwent UCL repair showed no differences in batting or fielding performance before and after surgery. UCL repair can successfully return both pitchers and positional players at both the MiLB and MLB levels to play at pre-injury performance levels. Repair can be considered as an option for qualifying injuries in players hoping to maximize performance after surgery with minimal recovery time. Level of Evidence: IV.

Performance and Return to Play After Surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Professional Baseball Players: A Matched Cohort Analysis

Background: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) remains a rare diagnosis but is being recognized as a cause of upper extremity dysfunction in professional baseball players. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine performance and return-to-play (RTP) outcomes in professional baseball players after surgical treatment of TOS. The hypothesis was that there would be a high RTP rate in professional baseball players after TOS surgery with no statistical differences in performance between pitchers who had TOS surgery and matched controls. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All professional baseball players who underwent surgical treatment of TOS between 2010 and 2017 were identified using the Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System database. Demographic and performance data (before and after surgery) for each player were recorded. Performance variables were then compared between players who underwent TOS surgery and matched controls. The matching criteria were no history of previous surgeries on affected arm, age at time of surgery, throwing side, level of play (Major or Minor League Baseball), and years of experience playing professional baseball. Results: Overall, 52 players underwent surgery for TOS, of whom 46 (88%) were pitchers. The type of TOS was neurogenic in 69% and venous in 29%. One player had arterial TOS. After TOS surgery, 79% of players returned to play at the same or higher level (RTSP) by 9.5 months and played ≥3 years after surgery. No differences were found in RTSP rate based on the type of TOS. No statistical difference was found in RTP rates between major and minor league players. Pitchers had a 76% RTSP, which was similar to the natural attrition for control pitchers (P = .874). After TOS surgery, pitchers saw a decline in several performance metrics, but these declines were not different from those of control pitchers, indicating that the decline in performance after TOS surgery was no faster than is seen in healthy professional pitchers as they age. Conclusion: The rate of RTSP after surgery for TOS in professional baseball players was 79%. There was no difference in RTP based on the type of TOS. Pitchers who underwent surgery for TOS had no significant differences in pitching performance metrics after surgery compared with matched controls.

Analysis of Time Loss Injury in Korean Professional Baseball Players

PURPOSE: This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of time-loss (TL) injuries in 68 Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) players aged 26.6±5.4 years (31 pitchers and 37 field players).METHODS: Injury data collected during the 2021-2022 KBO league seasons were used to calculate the injury rate (IR), IR ratio (IRR), and TL. IR was calculated as follows: (total number of injuries×100)÷(total number of game exposures). IRR was computed as follows: (IR of pitchers)÷(IR of fielders). TL was defined as an injury that resulted in the inability to compete or participate in standard routines.RESULTS: A total of 92 TL injuries were recorded from 5,320 athlete-exposures (1.7 per 100 athlete-exposures). Pitchers exhibited a 1.7-fold increase in IR (IRR =1.69, 95% CI=1.05-2.61, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.018) and a 2.6-fold increase in the rate of severe injuries that resulted in a TL of ≥3 weeks (IRR=2.59, 95% CI=0.93-7.10, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.045) compared to field players. The trunk/spine (20.6%) among pitchers and thigh/groin (22.4%) among field players were the most frequently injured body parts. Overuse (38.2%) and batted ball contact (38.2%) were the leading causes of injury among pitchers, whereas noncontact (36.2%) and overuse (17.2%) were the leading causes of injury among field players. Pitchers were most likely to be injured while pitching (55.9%) and fielding (38.2%), whereas field players were most likely to be injured while batting (31.0%) and base running (31.0%).CONCLUSIONS: The current findings indicate that the characteristics of the injuries of KBO players differ by position, emphasizing the importance of a position-specific injury prevention program.

The Utility of Stress Ultrasound in Identifying Risk Factors for Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tear: A Longitudinal Study of 203 Professional Baseball Players

Background: Injuries to the medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) are common among baseball pitchers due to repetitive stress on the soft tissue stabilizers of the elbow during pitching. Dynamic stress ultrasound (SUS) can be used to evaluate the UCL and ulnohumeral joint to identify anatomic risk factors of those who will require UCL reconstruction (UCLR). Purpose: To determine whether any adaptive or morphological changes detectable on SUS can predict injury to the UCL in professional baseball pitchers. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 203 professional baseball pitchers who underwent SUS at preseason training sessions over the course of 18 years were categorized into 1 of 2 groups: those without a history of shoulder, arm, elbow, or forearm surgery or injuries (healthy cohort; n = 184) and those who underwent UCLR the same season as SUS (UCLR cohort; n = 19). Ligament thickness, joint spacing, and laxity were compared. An additional matched cohort analysis was conducted using 10 players from each group to detect differences in the progression of UCL and ulnohumeral joint measures in the year before injury. Results: The UCLR cohort, when compared with the healthy cohort, had higher relative (ie, nondominant-side measurements subtracted from dominant-side measurements) resting ulnohumeral joint space (median, 0.50 vs 0.20 mm, respectively; P = .006) and higher rates of hypoechoic foci (57.9% vs 30.4%, respectively; P = .030). Players of both groups had similar dominant UCL thickness (P = .161), ulnohumeral joint space at rest (P = .321), space under stress (P = .498), and laxity (P = .796). Groups did not differ in terms of relative UCL thickness, ulnohumeral joint space under stress, or relative laxity. In the year before UCL injury, the UCLR cohort, compared with the matched healthy cohort, had a greater increase in mean dominant UCL thickness (0.94 vs –0.60 mm, respectively; P = .038) and a greater increase in relative median UCL thickness (1.35 vs –0.35 mm, respectively; P = .045). Players in the healthy cohort were statistically older than those in the UCLR cohort (23 vs 22 years, respectively; P = .004). No differences in ulnohumeral stress spacing or laxity were detected. Conclusion: SUS of players who underwent UCLR demonstrated a progressive increase in UCL thickness over 1 year, higher rates of hypoechoic foci, and increased ulnohumeral rest space compared with SUS of uninjured players.

The Burden of Back and Neck Strains and Sprains in Professional Baseball Players.

A retrospective case series study. To analyze the epidemiology of diagnoses of back and neck strains and sprains among Major League (MLB) and Minor League (MiLB) Baseball players. Baseball players perform unique sets of repetitive movements that may predispose to neck and back strains and sprains. Data are lacking concerning the epidemiology of these diagnoses in this population. De-identified data on neck/back strains and sprains were collected from all MLB and MiLB teams from 2011 to 2016 using the MLB-commissioned Health and Injury Tracking System database. Diagnosis rates of conditions related to cervical, thoracic, and lumbar musculature and their impact on days missed due to injury, player participation, and season or career-ending status were assessed. Injury rates were reported as injuries per 1000 athlete exposures (AEs). There were 3447 cases of neck/back strains and sprains in professional baseball players from 2011 to 2016. Seven hundred twenty-one of these occurred in MLB versus 2726 in MiLB. Of injuries 136 were season-ending (26 in MLB, 110 in MiLB); 22 were career-ending (2 in MLB, 20 in MiLB). The total days missed were 39,118 (8838 from MLB and 30,280 from MiLB). Excluding season or career-ending injuries, the mean days missed were 11.8 (12.7 and 11.6 in MLB and MiLB, respectively). The median days missed were 4 (3 and 5 in MLB and MiLB, respectively). Combining MLB and MiLB, the pitcher injury rate was 1.893 per 1000 AEs versus 0.743 per 1000 Aes for other position players ( P < 0.0001). There was a high incidence of neck/back strains and sprains in MLB and MiLB players, with nearly 40,000 aggregate days missed in our 6-year study period. The median days missed were lower than the mean days missed, indicating rightward outliers. Pitchers had over double the rates of injuries compared with other position players. Level III.

Dynamic Stress Ultrasound Assessment of Professional Baseball Players’ Elbows After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

Background: There is a paucity of data analyzing dynamic stress ultrasound (SUS) findings in elite pitchers who have undergone ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) and returned to sport. Purpose: To identify longitudinal, perioperative changes in the elbows of professional baseball pitchers who have undergone UCLR and to compare these findings with a matched cohort of healthy pitchers. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study used prospectively collected data from dynamic elbow SUS analyses of professional baseball pitchers within a single Major League Baseball organization. Pitchers were divided into 2 cohorts: a UCLR cohort and healthy cohort. The UCLR cohort eligibility included availability of (1) SUS from preseason of injury/UCLR and (2) SUS from ≥2 years after surgery. These players were 1:1 matched to players with no history of upper extremity injury to form the healthy cohort. Ligament thickness and ulnohumeral joint space at rest and under stress were directly measured. Joint laxity was calculated by subtracting joint space at rest from joint space under stress. The term “relative” was used to describe calculated differences where nondominant measurements were subtracted from dominant-side measurements. Results: Eight pitchers were included in the UCLR group and matched to 8 healthy pitchers (mean age at initial SUS examination, 19.6 years). At a minimum follow-up of 2 years, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of relative or dominant arm rest space, stress space, or laxity. Longitudinally (final measurements – baseline measurements), the mean relative ulnohumeral rest space decreased in the UCLR group and increased in the healthy group (–0.36 mm vs +0.50 mm; P = .032). The finding of increased UCL thickness in the UCLR group was expected, as UCL grafts are typically thicker than native ligaments. Conclusion: Ulnhohumeral joint stability was achieved after UCLR as indicated by similar rest space, stress space, and joint laxity in dominant arms compared with a matched healthy cohort. A significant decrease in relative rest space after UCLR may represent the achievement of stability in surgery patients. Alternatively, the increase in ulnohumeral rest space seen in the healthy cohort may represent adaptive changes from pitching at a professional level.

Morphological Evaluation of Lumbar Facet Joints in Professional Baseball Players.

Many professional baseball players experience low back pain, a major cause of which is lumbar facet joint arthropathy. To evaluate the relationship between the dominant hand side and facet joint morphology in baseball movement. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Participants were 25 Japanese professional baseball players (11 pitchers and 14 fielders) with low back pain and lower limb symptoms. Player age, hand dominance, and length of professional playing experience were recorded, and the lateral diameter of all lumbar facet joints was determined from the axial computed tomography scans. We defined the facet joints ipsilateral and contralateral to the dominant hand as dominant and nondominant, respectively. The nondominant-to-dominant (N/D) ratio of the lateral diameter was calculated, and differences between the pitchers and fielders were analyzed using the unpaired t test. The average player age and length of professional playing experience were 26.9 years (range, 19-37 years) and 7.2 years (range, 1-15 years), respectively. The right hand was dominant in 9 pitchers and 5 fielders, while the left hand was dominant in 2 pitchers and 9 fielders. In pitchers, the average lateral facet joint diameter on the nondominant side was significantly larger than on the dominant side at all vertebral levels except L1 to L2 (P < .05 for all). The N/D ratio for each facet joint was 1.06 (L1-L2), 1.11 (L2-L3), 1.10 (L3-L4), 1.12 (L4-L5), and 1.12 (L5-S1). In fielders, the average lateral facet joint diameter on the dominant side was significantly larger than on the nondominant side at L3 to L4 (P < .05), with N/D ratios of 0.98 (L1-L2), 0.96 (L2-L3), 0.94 (L3-L4), 0.97 (L4-L5), and 0.98 (L5-S1). The N/D ratio was significantly larger in pitchers than in fielders at all levels (P < .05 for all). The facet joints of professional baseball players were enlarged asymmetrically, with different tendencies observed between pitchers and fielders. Although pitching and batting are movements that transmit the rotation from the lower limbs to the upper limbs, the effects of rotation and lateral flexion were associated significantly with facet joint hypertrophy.

Do Professional Baseball Players Play Mixed Strategies? Evidence from MLB

Do Professional Baseball Players Play Mixed Strategies? Evidence from MLB

프로야구선수의 외모 프리미엄 효과 : 연봉과 인기도를 중심으로

프로야구선수의 외모 프리미엄 효과 : 연봉과 인기도를 중심으로

프로야구선수의 외모 프리미엄 효과 : 연봉과 인기도를 중심으로

프로야구선수의 외모 프리미엄 효과 : 연봉과 인기도를 중심으로

Opposite effects of Covid-19 infection on pitchers and batters: a retrospective study on Chinese Professional Baseball League players.

The influence of COVID-19 infection on elite athletes remains largely unknown, especially on baseball players. The goal of this study is to examine the actual performance of infected elite baseball players from the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) from a sabermetric point of view. This was a retrospective observational cohort study. CPBL players who were infected with COVID-19 from April 27th to May 31st, 2022, were eligible for this study. The performance of study participants before and after COVID-19 infection was compared, and statistics from the batters and pitchers were analyzed separately. During the study interval, 56 players were infected with COVID-19, including 35 batters and 21 pitchers. After excluding injured players and players with inadequate playing opportunities, 23 batters and 12 pitchers were enrolled. For batters, there were no significant differences before and after COVID-19 infection. However, batters older than 28 years of age showed a decline in slugging percentage (0.372 vs. 0.292, P=0.049). Analysis of pitchers revealed significantly boosted fastball velocity after COVID-19 infection (142.10 km/h vs. 142.82 km/h, P=0.028) and improved strikeouts per nine innings (6.89 vs. 8.56, P=0.021). COVID-19 might have a potential influence on professional baseball players. For batters, veteran players more than 28 years of age were more likely to be negatively affected by COVID-19, whereas the effect of COVID-19 on pitchers was generally positive, with significantly improved fastball velocity and K/9 numbers.