Reflections on Providing Personal and Performance Enhancement Consulting Services in Professional Baseball

1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey A. Dorfman
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Consulting Services ◽  
Minor League ◽  
And Performance

This article describes the delivery of personal and performance enhancement consulting services to the major league and minor league teams in the Oakland Athletics baseball organization over a 6-year period. The use of a combined clinical, educational approach is discussed as well as the range and type of services provided in the role as a full-time instructor/counselor. Factors affecting the effectiveness of delivering sport psychology services to professional baseball players are discussed, with special emphasis on developing trust and a good connection in the player/consultant relationship.

Issues Confronting Female Sport Psychology Consultants Working with Male Student-Athletes

1991 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 304-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodi Yambor ◽  
Deidre Connelly
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Educational Philosophy ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Male Student ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Consulting Services ◽  
Male Client ◽  
Delivery Of Services ◽  
And Performance

This article discusses issues related to the delivery of personal and performance enhancement consulting services to male student-athletes by female sport psychology consultants. A holistic, developmental, educational philosophy is described as a basis for providing services. Ethics, delivery, and consultant effectiveness are discussed relative to the male client/female consultant situation. A number of prevalent attitudes and stereotypes that may present obstacles to the successful delivery of services are discussed, along with the authors’ experiences and suggested tactics to minimize or confront and cope with these potential barriers.

scholarly journals Analysis of Injuries and Pitching Performance Between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball: A 2-Team Comparison Between 2015 to 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 232596712110088
Author(s):  
Ryan L. Crotin ◽  
Toshimasa Yanai ◽  
Peter Chalmers ◽  
Kenneth B. Smale ◽  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Mechanism Of Injury ◽  
Research Collaborations ◽  
Minor League ◽  
Major League ◽  
Player Game ◽  
And Performance

Background: There has been minimal research investigating injury and pitching performance differences between Major League Baseball (MLB) and other professional leagues. Purpose/Hypothesis: This 2-team comparison between MLB and Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) involved affiliated players over 5 years. We hypothesized that teams would differ in the injury incidence, mechanism of injury, pitch velocity, and pitch type usage. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Between 2015 and 2019, pitching data as well as injury statistics for the highest level and minor league affiliates of the Los Angeles Angels (MLB) and the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (NPB) were reviewed for significant differences in the injury prevalence, injury type, mechanism of injury, and days missed. In total, 3781 MLB and 371 NPB injuries were studied. Results: MLB-affiliated players were significantly younger, taller, and heavier ( P < .001) than were NPB-affiliated players. MLB-affiliated pitchers threw faster than did their NPB counterparts ( P = .026). MLB minor league pitchers threw more curveballs than did NPB minor league pitchers ( P = .004), and MLB minor league relief pitchers threw more sliders than did NPB minor league relief pitchers ( P = .02). The MLB team had a 3.7-fold higher incidence of injuries versus the NPB team (0.030 vs 0.008 injuries per player-game, respectively) as well as more repeat injuries, with fewer days missed per injury (15.8 ± 54.7 vs 36.2 ± 55.1 days, respectively; P < .001). The MLB team also had a higher percentage of injuries that were throwing related ( P < .001), were contact related ( P < .001), and occurred outside of competition ( P < .001) compared with the NPB team. Conclusion: This is the first empirical study examining injury trends and pitching characteristics between MLB and NPB athletes. MLB-affiliated pitchers threw faster and relied more on breaking pitches in comparison with NPB-affiliated pitchers. From injury data, MLB players were younger, taller, and heavier with a higher percentage of throwing-related injuries, contact injuries, and injuries sustained outside of competition. Overall, the MLB team indicated a 3.7-fold higher rate of reported injuries with fewer days missed per injury than did the NPB team. Competitive conditions are distinctly different between MLB and NPB, and thus, more extensive research collaborations in the future can identify best practices to advance health and performance for both leagues.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of the Nonoperative Treatment of Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Professional Baseball Players with and without Platelet-Rich Plasma

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Douglas McQueen ◽  
Christopher L. Camp ◽  
Aakash Chauhan ◽  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Hollis G. Potter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recovery Time ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Nonoperative Treatment ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Minor League Baseball ◽  
Minor League

Objectives: In the setting of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury, surgical reconstruction of the UCL is not always selected, as it leads to a prolonged recovery time and return to play rates between 67-95%. To date, there is limited data on outcomes following nonoperative treatment in this population. Orthobiologics, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), have recently been used as an adjunct therapy for standard nonoperative treatment including rest and physical therapy for UCL injuries. The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of PRP injections in professional baseball players with UCL injuries reduces recovery time, lowers the likelihood of surgery, and increases the return to play rate compared to traditional nonoperative treatment. Methods: The Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS) database was searched from 2011-2015 for Major and Minor league baseball players with Grade I, II or III UCL injuries. Standard demographic, injury, and return to play data was obtained for all players. MRI’s for 353 athletes were reviewed by a musculoskeletal radiologist and graded accordingly. Outcomes were compared between players who received PRP injections in addition to traditional nonoperative treatment (PRP group) and players who received traditional nonoperative treatment alone (No PRP group). Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s T-test and Chi-square for parametric data. Kaplan Meier’s analysis was used for estimating longevity of the treatment. Results: A total of 544 Major and Minor League Baseball players with UCL tears underwent an initial course of nonoperative treatment (active rest & rehabilitation) for their injury between 2011-2015. Of these, 133 underwent PRP injections plus rehab and 411 underwent rehab alone. There was a significantly higher proportion of Major League Baseball players in the PRP group compared to the No PRP group (25.6% vs 9.0%, P<0.001). There was no difference between the two cohorts in regard to the grade of UCL tear (Figure 1). The players in the PRP group had a significantly longer time before returning to a throwing program compared to the No PRP group (64 days vs 51 days, P<0.001). The mean time from injury date to PRP injection was 14.5 days, which may explain the difference in time to return to throwing. The return to play rate in a live game without surgery was significantly lower in the PRP group compared to the No PRP group (46% vs 57%, P=0.03). There was no difference in the proportion of athletes requiring UCL reconstruction (58% vs 51%) or the time to surgery (154 days vs 178 days) between the two groups. Kaplan Meier survivor analysis showed no difference between the PRP and No PRP groups with regard to longevity of the native UCL (Figure 2). Conclusion: Among Major and Minor League Baseball players who were treated nonoperatively for a UCL injury between 2011-2015, 24% underwent PRP injections prior to rehab. Compared to traditional nonoperative rehab alone program, players who received PRP injections experienced a significantly longer time before returning to throwing, which may be in part due to the delay between the injury date and PRP injection. PRP injections did not appear to have a significant effect on the likelihood of surgical intervention.

scholarly journals Performance and Return to Sport Following Ulnar Nerve Transposition/Decompression in Professional Baseball Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0016
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Peter Nissen Chalmers ◽  
John D’Angelo ◽  
Kevin Ma ◽  
Anthony A. Romeo
Keyword(s):  
Ulnar Nerve ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Nerve Decompression ◽  
Ulnar Nerve Transposition ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Nerve Transposition

Background: Isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition is an uncommon surgery amongst professional baseball players. Purpose: To determine the rate of return to sport (RTS) and performance upon RTS in professional baseball players following isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition, including those who required an ulnar nerve transposition/decompression following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR), and to determine if outcomes differ between players with isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition and matched controls. Hypothesis: There is a high rate of RTS in professional baseball players undergoing isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition with no significant difference in RTS rate or performance (specifically related to the primary outcome performance variables of earned run average (ERA), WHIP ((walks +hits)/innings pitched), wins above replacement (WAR), and on base + slugging percentage (OPS)) between cases and controls. Methods: All professional baseball players who underwent isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition between 2010-2016 were included. Demographic and performance data (pre and post surgery) for each player was recorded. Performance metrics were then compared between cases and a group of matched controls. Results: Overall 52 players, 83% pitchers (14 who underwent prior UCLR) were included. Most surgeries (92%) were anterior subcutaneous transpositions. Overall, 62% of players were able to successfully RTS and 56% returned to the same or a higher level. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in the majority of performance metrics pre-operative or post-operatively, specifically ERA, WHIP, WAR, and OPS. When players who had a UCLR prior to their ulnar nerve transposition/decompression were compared to controls with a history of a UCLR but who did not go on to have an ulnar nerve transposition/decompression, the only performance difference of all the recorded metrics was cases allowed more walks per 9 innings (4.4 vs. 2.8; p=0.011). Conclusion: Anterior subcutaneous transposition is the most common surgery in professional baseball players to address ulnar nerve compression. Players have a 62% rate of RTS. Upon RTS, players performance compared to matched controls remains the same in the majority of performance metrics including ERA, WHIP, WAR, and OPS. Post-operatively, pitchers with a UCLR prior to ulnar nerve transposition/decompression performed the same as matched controls with prior UCLR.

The Effects of Taping on Muscle Activity and Throwing Velocity in Fatigued Baseball Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29
Author(s):  
Kara-Lyn R. Harrison ◽  
Paolo Sanzo ◽  
Carlos Zerpa ◽  
Taryn Klarner
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Kinesio Tape ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
And Performance

Due to the repetitive high forces and torques placed on an individual during a baseball pitch, shoulder pain is present in 46-57% of pitchers. Therapeutic taping has been proposed to have beneficial qualities in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement via muscular facilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of taping on the velocity of an overhead baseball throw and muscle activation patterning of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and pectoralis major muscles in baseball players after muscle fatigue was induced. Participants were asked to complete three pre-test maximum velocity overhead throws, a fatiguing protocol, followed by three post-test maximum velocity pitches. There was no statistically significant difference in throwing velocity or muscle activity with the application of the different taping conditions in the three phases of an overhead baseball throw. These finding suggest Kinesio Tape® does not change muscle activation or velocity of overhead baseball throws when compared to a no tape condition.

scholarly journals Analysis of Non-Game Injuries in Major League Baseball

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596711988849
Author(s):  
Amanda Esquivel ◽  
Michael T. Freehill ◽  
Frank C. Curriero ◽  
Kevin L. Rand ◽  
Stan Conte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recent Literature ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Minor League Baseball ◽  
Minor League ◽  
Major League

Background: Numerous studies have investigated injuries and treatments in the baseball athlete. The majority of these studies have focused on the throwing shoulder and elbow. However, more recent literature is reporting injuries to other regions in this cohort, including the knee, head, hip, and hamstring. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of the current study was to determine the number and type of injuries in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players that do not occur during the actual game but are related to baseball participation. Our hypothesis was that there would be a substantial number of injuries that occurred in professional baseball players during non-game situations. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: Deidentified, anonymous data were collected from the 2011 through 2016 seasons from the MLB Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS) medical record database. All injuries that were identified as a primary diagnosis and resulted in at least 1 day out of play from both MLB and MiLB were examined. Injuries were categorized as occurring during the game (“game” injuries) or not during the game. A “non-game” injury was defined as occurring at any time other than during the scheduled game from the first to last pitch. Results: There were 51,548 total injuries in MLB and MiLB players from 2011 to 2016, almost 40% of which were attributed to non–game-related injuries (n = 19,201; 37.2%). The remainder occurred during a game (n = 32,347; 62.8%). A significantly greater percentage of non-game injuries were season ending (10.8%) compared with the percentage of game-related season-ending injuries (8.4%) ( P < .0001). Pitchers had significantly more non–game-related injuries than game-related injuries ( P < .0001). Conclusion: A large number of injuries occur in professional baseball outside of actual games. MiLB players, specifically pitchers, are particularly at risk for these types of injuries. It is feasible that the overall injury rate in professional baseball players could be reduced by analyzing these injuries in more detail to develop prevention strategies.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0037
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Peter Nissen Chalmers ◽  
John D’Angelo ◽  
Kevin Ma ◽  
Anthony A. Romeo
Keyword(s):  
Stress Fracture ◽  
Open Reduction ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Olecranon Fracture ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Olecranon Fractures

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

Sueños de Béisbol: Hopes, Experiences, and Expectations of Professional Baseball Players in the Dominican Republic

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Leonardo Ruiz ◽  
Judy L. Van Raalte ◽  
Thaddeus France ◽  
Al Petitpas
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Youth Baseball ◽  
Perceptions And Expectations

More than 1,400 Latin American professional baseball players, age 16-21, are employed by 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) academies in the Dominican Republic. The popular press has highlighted scandals related to professional youth baseball player recruitment, selection, and exploitation in the academies, but little attention has been given to the academy experiences of youth baseball players from the perspective of the players themselves. For this research, 11 professional baseball players residing at an MLB Academy in the Dominican Republic participated in semi-structured interviews. Players described their transitions into the baseball academy system, their experiences in the academy, and their perceptions and expectations upon leaving or being released from the academy. Themes that emerged from the data included athletes’ hopes and dreams, stress, faith, and career transitions. Clinical implications of these findings for sport psychology practitioners are discussed.

scholarly journals Ankle and Lower Leg Injuries in Professional Baseball Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0028
Author(s):  
Christopher Lucasti ◽  
Myles Dworkin ◽  
William Warrender ◽  
David Pedowitz ◽  
Brian Winters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Lower Leg ◽  
Injury Surveillance ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Injury Surveillance System ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Leg Injuries ◽  
Minor League ◽  
Major League

Category: Ankle, Sports, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the injury characteristics of ankle and lower leg injuries in professional baseball players during the 2011-2016 seasons by utilizing the Major League Baseball (MLB) injury surveillance system. Methods: Our study is a descriptive epidemiological evaluation through a retrospective review from the MLB Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS) since its implementation in 2011. We included any professional baseball player (Major League and Minor League) who was identified as having an ankle or lower leg injury from January 1, 2011 through February 28th, 2017.Over the study period there were a total of 4,756 injuries of which 763 (16.0%) occurred in the Major League and 3,993 (84.0%) occurred in the Minor League. Results: The average number of days missed for all players was 27.8 days (+/-141.4 days) with a median of 3 days. From 2011 through 2016 it was estimated that there were 414,912 athlete exposures (AEs) in Major League Baseball and 1,796,607 AEs in the Minor Leagues. Of the 4,756 injuries recorded, 550 (11.6%) took place during the Major League regular season and 3,320 (69.8%) took place during the Minor League regular season. Major League injuries, however, were 1.7 times more likely to require surgery (p < .001). Additionally, rates of injury to the lower leg were stratified by position with infield players experiencing injuries at a 1.6 times greater rate than any other position (p < .001). Conclusion: In conclusion, the data from this study represents the only epidemiological study to focus primarily on lower leg injuries in professional baseball players utilizing an injury surveillance system developed by MLB.

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