Professional Baseball Research Articles

Effect of Green Value Cocreation on Consumer Behavior: A Professional Baseball Franchise’s “Sustainable Party” Event

This study examined whether participation in green activities affects the green purchase intention, team identification, and subjective well-being of sports fans through green value cocreation. In addition, this study explored the mediating role of team identification and the moderating role of subjective well-being in green value cocreation. Composite reliability and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the research instruments, and structural equation modeling was used to test the study hypotheses. The results indicated that green value cocreation significantly predicted green purchase intention, team identification, and subjective well-being. Team identification partially mediated the relationship between green value cocreation and green purchase intention. However, subjective well-being did not moderate the effect of green value cocreation on green purchase intention. This study investigated how green value cocreation enhances fan participation in environmental actions and translates into green purchase intention. The findings provide insights into the emotional connection between fans and teams and the effect of this connection on green value cocreation and green purchase intention. This study addresses a research gap regarding the role of green value cocreation in professional sports and provides practical insights for businesses, teams, and society to promote environmentally conscious consumption and behavior.

Abdominal Oblique and Rectus Muscle Injuries in Major and Minor League Baseball Players: An Updated Epidemiological Review

Background: Abdominal musculature injuries comprise the third most prevalent time-loss injury across professional baseball. Despite increased awareness and prevention attempts in the recent decade, the trends of these abdominal injury numbers in Major League Baseball (MLB) are not fully understood. Purposes: To update the trends in oblique and intercostal injuries, analyze the impact of these injuries based on time out of play, and identify factors that correlate with increased injury severity to help with recovery time prognostication for the sports medicine community. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Using the MLB Health and Injury Tracking System, the authors identified all abdominal and core musculature injuries that resulted in time out of play in MLB and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) between the 2011 and 2021 seasons. These were filtered for injuries that resulted in ≥1 days missed (DM) during spring training, the regular season, and postseason. A Student t test was utilized to assess for significant differences for all normally distributed values. Regression analysis was utilized for determining change over time. For all statistical comparisons, the threshold for alpha was set to P < .05. Results: During the study period between 2011 and 2021, there were 4560 total abdominal injuries among 3401 athletes. When filtered for in-season, time-loss injuries defined as spring training, regular season, and postseason, there were 2890 injuries. Of these, 1928 were oblique injuries, 453 were intercostal injuries, and 115 were rectus injuries. The number of oblique injuries each season increased for all of baseball ( P < .001), as well as for MLB ( P = .009) and MiLB ( P = .012) individually. Of the 1928 oblique injuries, 498 (26%) oblique injuries occurred at the MLB level and 1430 (74%) occurred at the MiLB level. Batting and pitching-related injuries comprised 860 (45%) and 729 (38%) oblique injuries, with a total of 18,455 DM and 20,891 DM, respectively. This corresponded to a mean of 22 DM for batting injuries and 29 DM for pitching injuries (mean difference, 7.2; 95% CI, 5.27-9.13; P < .001). Conclusion: This decade-long study on professional baseball revealed a significant increase in abdominal oblique injuries across MLB and MiLB, with the largest number of injuries observed in the 2021 season. Meanwhile, there was a significant decrease in intercostal injuries across professional baseball during these years. Such injuries continue to pose challenges, leading to substantial DM per injury and affecting players from various positions.

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

DEA와 SFA 모형을 이용한 한국 프로야구의 비용효율성 분석

The purpose of this study is to analyze the cost efficiency of Korean professional baseball(KBO) teams through Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis(SFA) and to examine its determinants.. In this study, we used 20 years of data from 2003 to 2022 for eight teams to examine the cost efficiency and its influencing factors of each team through DEA window analysis and SFA reflecting the time series. The empirical results showed that the cost efficiency of KBO teams is not high, but it is generally improving. Among them, the size of the stadium and the number of wins have a positive effect on cost efficiency, while the number of new stadiums and free agents has a negative effect on cost efficiency. In particular, the difference between the efficiency values derived from the two methods is quite large, which means that it is highly sensitive to external shocks due to the probable error. The fact that many teams react greatly to external shocks suggests that the support of parent companies and local governments greatly affects the sustainability of the teams due to the lack of self-reliance of the teams. In order to increase the self-reliance of KBO teams facing a new competitive environment after COVID-19, continuous efforts are needed to transform into solid companies, including positive external support and cooperation with local governments, as well as creating higher-quality cultural content and discovering diverse sources of revenue.

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.

Neck Range of Motion Prognostic Factors in Association to Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in Professional Baseball Pitchers

BackgroundAuthors have observed an association between cervical spine mobility and arm injury risk in baseball player; however, there is a need to assess the generalizability of cervical measurement data. Assessing the downstream of associations of cervical dysfunction on shoulder and elbow injuries can inform clinical interventions to help reduce future arm injuries. The purpose of this study was to assess the generalizability of neck range of motion measures as arm injury prognostic factors in professional baseball pitchers. MethodsA prospective cohort of professional baseball pitchers in one Major League Baseball Organization was performed. Pitchers underwent pre-season neck range of motion including cervical flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion, and the flexion-rotation test (CFRT) and were followed for the season. The outcome was the occurrence of shoulder or elbow injury. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed and reported as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). ResultsA total of 88 pitchers were included (Age: 24.2 (2.4); Left-Handed: 21 (23%); Fastball Velocity: 92.3 (1.8)), with 15,942 athlete exposure days collected over the season. Pitcher neck range of motion was assessed (Flexion: 64 (10); Extension: 69 (11); Difference in Lateral Flexion: -1 (7); Difference in Neck Rotation: -2 (9); Difference in CFRT: -1 (7)). A total of 20 arm injuries (Shoulder: 9 (10%); Elbow: 11 (13%); Combined Rate: 1.3 (95% CI: 0.7, 1.7) per 1000 exposure days) were suffered by pitchers during the season. For every degree increase in the difference in dominant (rotating to dominant shoulder) versus non-dominant (rotating to non-dominant shoulder) neck rotation, there was a four-fold increase in arm injury hazard (HR: 4.0 (95% CI: 1.1, 13.9), p = 0.031). No other neck measurements demonstrated prognostic value. ConclusionsA deficit in dominant versus non-dominant neck rotation was prognostic for pitching arm injury. However, the cervical rotation test did not have prognostic value in this sample. Further research is required to assess the generalizability and scalability of neck range of motion assessment in relation to baseball shoulder and elbow injuries across different competition levels.

Professional baseball pitchers produce similar ball velocity and kinematics when pitching from the wind-up and stretch deliveries: a biomechanical analysis

ABSTRACT Historically, the wind-up delivery is considered a more biomechanically advantageous pitching motion compared to the stretch. Recently, some pitchers have shifted to pitching exclusively from the stretch regardless of the game situation. The goal of this study was to compare temporal, kinematic and kinetic variables between the wind-up and stretch deliveries. Professional pitchers (n = 52, 189.1 ± 4.8 cm, 92.8 ± 8.4 kg) threw fastballs evaluated by 3D-motion capture (480 Hz) from both the wind-up and stretch deliveries. Within a pitcher, there was no significant difference in ball velocity between the two deliveries (p = 0.15). The stretch delivery was significantly quicker to ball release at toe off 2 (p < 0.001) (the last frame the pitcher’s foot contacts the ground before progressing to maximum knee height) and maximum knee height (p < 0.001). The majority of differences occurred prior to foot contact. The wind-up delivery produced greater maximum shoulder external rotation (p < 0.001) and lead knee flexion at ball release (p < 0.001). Pitching from the stretch incurred greater shoulder superior force (p < 0.001). It remains unknown if this is clinically significant as pooled means show only a 2% difference. Therefore, pitching a fastball from either the wind-up or stretch delivery provides comparable mechanics and throwing arm load with likely comparable risk of injury.

A Study on News Frame Related to Free Agent Issue of Professional Baseball Player in the Media

A Study on News Frame Related to Free Agent Issue of Professional Baseball Player in the Media

A Study on ESG Guidelines for Professional Baseball Teams : Based on the K-ESG Guidelines

A Study on ESG Guidelines for Professional Baseball Teams : Based on the K-ESG Guidelines

A multidimensional scale for assessing sport fan well-being: an examination in the context of professional baseball

ABSTRACT Purpose The purposes of this research are to (1) introduce a four-dimensional (hedonic, eudainomic, social, and physical) conceptualization of fan well-being in spectator sport and (2) present evidence for the reliability and validity of the multidimensional scale of fan well-being. Methodology Data were collected from professional baseball spectators in Japan. Through an exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis, we assessed the factor structure of sport fan well-being, operationalized by a final set of 18 items. Findings Study 1 supports the four-factor structure of the scale, including a new dimension of physical fan well-being. In Study 2, the findings provide evidence for the construct validity of the measurement model and suggest that the four well-being dimensions are positively associated with previously validated scales (flourishing and life satisfaction) and can be integrated into a second-order latent construct. Practical implications Given the conceptual distinction between physical fan well-being and the other three dimensions, sport teams should provide fans with (1) cheering activities that are easy to understand and follow and (2) healthy food choices that allow fans to control body weight and prevent obesity. Research contribution This study extends previous research by integrating a new dimension of physical fan well-being, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of context-specific well-being in spectator sport.

Chronic Adaptation of the Coracohumeral Space and Subscapularis Tendon in Professional Baseball Pitchers.

Pitchers frequently experience anterior shoulder pain, possibly associated with coracohumeral impingement; however, whether the coracohumeral distance (CHD) and/or subscapularis tendon adapt chronically (bilateral difference) due to pitching, and whether clinical measures are associated with CHD and subscapularis tendon organization have not been evaluated in professional pitchers. The authors hypothesized that dominant arm CHD would be smaller than the nondominant arm, dominant subscapularis tendon would have increased spatial frequency (ie, be more disorganized), and humeral retroversion (HR) would predict CHD and subscapularis tendon organization. Level 4. Healthy professional baseball pitchers were recruited during their preseason physical examination. Bilateral diagnostic ultrasound measured CHD, HR, and posterior capsule thickness (PCT), and quantified subscapularis tendon organization. External rotation, neutral, and crossbody CHD was measured. Overall, 52 healthy professional baseball pitchers participated. The dominant arm of pitchers demonstrated a significantly narrower CHD in all 3 positions (P < 0.01), increased scapular protraction (163 vs 156 mm; P < 0.01), and increased spatial frequency of the subscapularis tendon (1.8 vs 1.6 peaks/mm; P < 0.01). HR was associated with CHD in 30° of external rotation (R2 = 0.12; P < 0.01), neutral rotation (R2 = 0.11; P < 0.01), and the crossbody position (R2 = 0.28; P < 0.01). PCT was associated with CHD in 30° of external rotation (R2 = 0.16; P = 0.05). HR and CHD in 30° of external rotation was associated most strongly with subscapularis tendon organization (R2 = 0.11; P = 0.03). The dominant shoulder of professional pitchers presents with a smaller CHD, more scapular protraction, and more subscapularis tendon disorganization than the nondominant shoulder. Professional pitchers demonstrate chronic CHD and subscapularis tendon adaptations, which may increase their risk for anterior shoulder pain and subscapularis tendon injury.

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.

Kinematic Modeling of Pitch Velocity in High School and Professional Baseball Pitchers: Comparisons With the Literature.

Kinematic parameters predictive of pitch velocity have been evaluated in adolescent and collegiate baseball pitchers; however, they have not been established for high school or professional pitchers. To create multiregression models using anthropometric and kinematics features most predictive for pitch velocity in high school and professional pitchers and compare them with prior multiregression models evaluating other playing levels. Descriptive laboratory study. High school (n = 59) and professional (n = 337) baseball pitchers threw 8 to 12 fastballs while being evaluated with 3-dimensional motion capture (480 Hz). Using anthropometric and kinematic variables, multiregression models for pitch velocity were created for each group. A systematic review was conducted to determine previous studies that established kinematic models for ball velocity in youth, high school, and collegiate pitchers. Leg length was predictive of pitch velocity for high school and professional pitchers (P < .001 for both). When compared with previously established models for pitch velocity, almost all groups were distinct from one another when assessing age (P maximum < .001), weight (P max = .0095), and pitch velocity (P max < .001). Stride length was a significant predictor for the youth/high school pitchers, as well as the current study's high school and professional pitchers (P < .001 for all). Maximal shoulder external rotation (collegiate: P = .001; professional: P < .001) and maximal elbow extension velocity (high school/collegiate: P = .024; collegiate: P < .001; professional: P = .006) were shared predictors for the collegiate and current study's professional group multiregression models. Trunk flexion at ball release was a commonly shared predictor in the youth/high school (P = .04), high school/collegiate (P = .003), collegiate (P < .001), and the current study's professional group (P < .001). Youth, high school, collegiate, and professional pitchers had unique, predictive kinematic and anthropometric features predictive of pitch velocity. Leg length, stride length, trunk flexion at ball release, and maximal shoulder external rotation were predictive features that were shared between playing levels. Coaches, clinicians, scouts, and pitchers can consider both the unique and the shared predictive features at each playing level when attempting to maximize pitch velocity.

Fastball Quality After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major League Baseball Pitchers

Background: The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is essential for elbow stability during pitching. In professional baseball, the fastball (FB) is the most commonly used pitch, making postrecovery FB performance after UCL reconstruction (UCLR) a crucial aspect to consider. Hypotheses: (1) Pitchers undergoing UCLR would show no significant changes in performance metrics compared with nonoperated pitchers with similar FB velocity and spin rate, and (2) no significant variance would be found in these metrics within the operated pitchers concerning their preinjury anthropometric characteristics and pitching performance metrics. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The study included 91 Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers who underwent primary UCLR between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2021. A matched 1:1 control group of MLB pitchers without UCLR injuries was established. Publicly available pitch metrics and anthropometric data were compared between the study and control groups. Results: Disparities in several performance metrics emerged during the first postreturn year (PRY1), including FB use percentage (P = .029), fielder independent pitching (FIP) (P = .021), and standardized FB runs above average per 100 pitches (wFB/C) (P < .001). Subgroup analysis within the UCLR group revealed a negative correlation between presurgery mean FB velocity and its subsequent change (P < .001) and a positive correlation with changes in FIP (P = .025) from the index year to PRY1. A negative correlation was observed between FB use percentage in the index year and its change by PRY1 (P = .002). By the second postreturn year, no significant differences were found in these performance metrics. No factors were significantly related to prolonged recovery time. Conclusion: Although FB velocity and spin rate remained consistent, significant differences were observed in FB use percentage, FIP, and wFB/C in PRY1. However, by second postreturn year, these differences were no longer significant. No specific risk factors were identified concerning prolonged recovery time between pre-UCLR FB pitching metrics and the physical anthropometric data. These results suggest that although the short-term postsurgery period may affect more specialized pitching metrics, the basic pitching performance metrics, as hypothesized, remain largely unaffected by UCLR.

Influence of Lead Knee Extension on Ball Velocity and Elbow Varus Torque in Professional and High School Baseball Pitchers.

When the lead leg of a pitcher contacts the ground, the knee braces and then rapidly extends, initiating energy transfer to begin pelvis and trunk rotation. To investigate the relationship of lead knee extension during the pitching delivery with peak lead knee extension velocity, ball velocity, and elbow varus torque in high school and professional pitchers. Descriptive laboratory study. Data from 50 professional (PRO) and 50 high school (HS) pitcher groups were retrospectively analyzed. Pitchers threw 8 to 12 fastballs under 3-dimensional motion analysis (480 Hz). The groups were divided according to high or low lead knee extension: PRO-high (n = 18), PRO-low (n = 16), HS-high (n = 16), and HS-low (n = 17). Lead knee flexion, lead knee extension velocity, ball velocity, and elbow varus torque were analyzed between groups. Regression analyses were performed to quantify associations between lead knee extension and ball velocity and elbow varus torque for all pitchers. At foot contact, all pitchers landed with similar knee flexion. PRO-high and HS-high pitchers had significantly greater lead knee extension through remaining pitching time points compared with the PRO-low and HS-low pitchers. PRO-high pitchers had faster ball velocity than PRO-low pitchers (39.8 ± 1.1 vs 39.3 ± 1.3 m/s, respectively), and HS-high pitchers had faster ball velocity than HS-low pitchers (34.1 ± 2.6 vs 31.2 ± 1.8 m/s, respectively) (P < .05). PRO-high pitchers had decreased elbow varus torque compared with PRO-low pitchers (85.3 ± 10.7 vs 95.4 ± 13.3 N·m, respectively); conversely, HS-high pitchers had greater elbow varus torque than HS-low pitchers (64.2 ± 14.7 vs 56.3 ± 12.2 N·m, respectively). For every 1° increase in lead knee extension, ball velocity increased by 0.47 m/s (P < .001) and elbow varus torque increased by 0.27 N·m (P = .025). Proper lead knee extension allowed efficient energy transfer through the kinetic chain to produce optimal ball velocity and minimize elbow varus torque in professional pitchers. Conversely, while proper lead knee extension improved ball velocity among high school pitchers, this did not minimize elbow varus torque. Professional pitchers can extend their lead knee with minimal impact at the elbow. In high school pitchers, cognizance of proper full-body pitching mechanics remains a priority over increased velocity.

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.

Analysis of the Spectator Journey Map at the Professional Baseball Stadium for the Improvement of the Viewing Environment: Focusing on the KT Wiz Park

Analysis of the Spectator Journey Map at the Professional Baseball Stadium for the Improvement of the Viewing Environment: Focusing on the KT Wiz Park

The Dynamic Interplay of Team Image and Cheerleader Involvement-the Impacts on Consumer Willingness to Purchase Tickets in Chinese Professional Baseball League

The Dynamic Interplay of Team Image and Cheerleader Involvement-the Impacts on Consumer Willingness to Purchase Tickets in Chinese Professional Baseball League

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.

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.