Influence of Release Parameters on Pitch Location in Skilled Baseball Pitching

Abstract

This study explored the mechanical factors that determine accuracy of a baseball pitching. In particular, we focused on the mechanical parameters at ball release, referred to as release parameters. The aim was to understand which parameter has the most deterministic influence on pitch location by measuring the release parameters during actual pitching and developing a simulation that predicts the pitch location from given release parameters. By comparing the fluctuation of the simulated pitch location when varying each release parameter, it was found that the elevation pitching angle and speed significantly influenced the vertical pitch location, and the azimuth pitching angle significantly influenced the horizontal pitch location. Moreover, a regression model was obtained to predict the pitch location, and it became clear that the significant predictors for the vertical pitch location were the elevation pitching angle, the speed, and spin axis, and those for the horizontal pitch location were the azimuth pitching angle, the spin axis, and horizontal release point. Therefore, it was suggested that the parameter most affecting pitch location weas pitching angle. On the other hand, multiple regression analyses revealed that the relation between release parameters varied between pitchers. The result is expected to contribute to an understanding of the mechanisms underlying accurate ball control skill in baseball pitching.

The relationship between pitching parameters and release points of different pitch types in major league baseball players

“…The mean value of release speed for 4-seam in the present study was 149.54 ± 1.86 km/h ( Table 2 ). Our result was clearly higher than previous studies: 106.20 ± 7.56 km/h ( 14 ), 117.36 ± 7.92 km/h ( 12 ), 121.68 ± 6.12 km/h ( 2 ), and 135.72 ± 4.32 km/h ( 13 ). Similarly, the mean value of spin rate for 4-seam in the present study was 2244.95 ± 99.90 r/min ( Table 2 ).…”

“…However, after a thorough literature search, few studies were found that included examining the statistical difference in release points among pitch types, even though many studies on baseball pitching have been published. Recently, Kusafuka et al ( 12 ) showed that the 4-seam was pitched from different release points as well as speed and ball angle among seven pitchers. In their research, since even skilled professional pitchers have errors in each movement, they mainly used 4-seam to estimate the factors affecting throwing parameters.…”

Estimating flight trajectories of breaking balls from four-seam fastballs

“…C d depends on the Reynolds number Re = V d/ ν (d: ball diameter, ν : kinematic viscosity of air) and was determined using the method of a previous study ( 9 ). We used the C d calculated by this method because the C d is time-varying and includes the effect of drag crisis, whereas the C d used in previous studies is generally a constant value and does not consider drag crisis ( 2 , 10 ). C l strongly depends on the spin parameter S = r ω /| V | ( r : ball radius) and was determined using the method developed in previous studies ( 10 , 11 ).…”

“…Throwing various pitches is especially true for professional players who throw balls with unique flight trajectories. Recently, interest in flight trajectories has increased with the advent of Trackman and PITCHf/x, making it easier to measure flight trajectories (1)(2)(3). It is now widely recognized that understanding flight trajectories is important for players and coaches to improve pitching performance.…”

The number of chances affects motor decision-making under risk

“…[12][13][14][15][16] Regardless of practice, motor variability never diminishes to zero. 16,17 Variability occurs in many aspects of motor outcomes, such as temporal, 3,4,18 spatial, [19][20][21][22][23] and spatio-temporal performance. [24][25][26][27] In motor planning, the magnitude of motor variability should be properly measured.…”