Enhancing strategic defensive positioning and performance in the outfield

Over the past 20 years, professional and collegiate baseball has undergone a transformation, with statistics and analytics increasingly factoring into most of the decisions being made on the field. One particular example of the increased role of analytics is in the positioning of outfielders, who are tasked with tracking down balls hit to the outfield to record outs and minimize potential offensive damage. This paper explores the potential of location analytics to enhance the strategic positioning of players, enabling improved response and performance. We implement a location optimization model to analyze collegiate ball-tracking data, seeking outfielder locations that simultaneously minimize the average distance to a batted ball and maximize the weighted importance of batted ball coverage within a response standard. Trade-off outfielder configurations are compared to observed fielder positioning, finding that location models and spatial optimization can lead to performance improvements ranging from 1 to 3%, offering a significant strategic advantage over the course of a season.

Swing Type and Batting Grip Affect Peak Pressures on the Hook of Hamate in Collegiate Baseball Players

Background: Bat swing and grip type may contribute to hook of hamate fractures in baseball players. Purpose: To compare the effects of swing type and batting grip on the pressure and rate of pressure development over the hook of hamate in collegiate baseball players. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This was an experimental quasi-randomized study of bat grip and swing differences in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball players (N = 14; age, 19.6 ± 1.1 years [mean ± SD]). All participants performed swings under 6 combinations: 3 grip types (all fingers on the bat shaft [AO], one finger off the bat shaft [OF], and choked up [CU]) and 2 swing types (full swing and check swing). Peak pressure and rate of pressure generation over the area of the hamate were assessed using a pressure sensor fitted to the palm of the bare hand over the area of the hamate. Wrist angular velocities and excursions of radial ulnar deviation were obtained using 3-dimensional motion analysis. Results: The OF–check swing combination produced the highest peak pressure over the hamate (3.72 ± 2.64 kg/cm2) versus the AO–full swing (1.36 ± 0.73 kg/cm2), OF–full swing (1.68 ± 1.17 kg/cm2), and CU–full swing (1.18 ± 0.96 kg/cm2; P < .05 for all). There was a significant effect of condition on rate of pressure development across the 6 conditions ( P = .023). Maximal wrist angular velocities were 44% lower in all check swing conditions than corresponding full swing conditions ( P < .0001). The time to achieve the maximal wrist angular velocity was longest with the AO–full swing and shortest with the CU–check swing (100.1% vs 7.9% of swing cycle; P = .014). Conclusion: The OF–check swing condition produced the highest total pressure reading on the hook of hamate. Check swing conditions also had the steepest rate of pressure development as compared with the full swing conditions. Clinical Relevance: Batters who frequently check their swings and use an OF or AO grip may benefit from bat modifications or grip adjustment to reduce stresses over the hamate. Athletic trainers and team physicians should be aware of these factors to counsel players in the context of previous or ongoing hand injury.

Pressures Exerted on the Hook of the Hamate in Collegiate Baseball Players: A Comparison of Grips, With Emphasis on Fracture Prevention

Background: Variations in batting technique may put baseball players at increased risk of hook of the hamate fractures. A better comprehension of the mechanism of such fractures is needed. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to compare 2 different grip types to quantify the pressures exerted on the hook of the hamate during batting. It was hypothesized that when compared with the conventional batting style, players holding the knob of the bat in the palm of the hand (termed the “palmar hamate grip”) would have higher pressures exerted on the hook of the hamate. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Athletes were recruited for participation on a volunteer basis from the rosters of 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball teams and were divided into 2 groups based on their usual grip type. A force sensor system was applied to the nondominant hand of each participating player, with the central portion of the sensing mechanism placed on the batting glove directly over the hook of the hamate. All players used the same batting glove, which transmitted data from the sensor to a laptop computer. Measurements were collected on consecutive hits at a standardized distance using a ball machine at 70 mph. Results: Nine collegiate baseball players underwent testing (5 players exclusively used the conventional grip, 3 players exclusively used the palmar hamate grip, and 1 player naturally alternated between the 2 grip types). The palmar hamate grip demonstrated a 366% increase in pressure exerted on the sensor overlying the hook of the hamate when compared with the conventional batting grip (536.42 kPa [95% confidence interval, 419.39-653.44 kPa] vs 115.84 kPa [95% confidence interval, 96.97-135.10 kPa]). The player who used both grips demonstrated significantly higher maximum pressure when using the palmar hamate versus conventional grip (482.90 vs 142.40 kPa; t = 6.95; P < .0001). Conclusion: Use of the palmar hamate grip may increase the risk of hook of the hamate fracture in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball players. Clinical Relevance: Educating players on the risks associated with the palmar hamate grip may prevent injury and minimize time out of competition.

Relationship Differences in Pre-season Isometric Shoulder Strength, Humeral Torsion and Shoulder Range of Motion in Collegiate Baseball Players (218)

Objectives: Muscle strength, humeral torsion (HT) and shoulder range of motion (ROM) have been linked to throwing performance and injury risk in baseball players. Research suggests that players who demonstrate an isometric shoulder external rotation (ER)/internal rotation (IR) strength ratio of <0.75 are at a higher risk for developing a throwing-related upper extremity injury. While the relationships between HT and shoulder ROM have been examined in the literature, few studies have examined the potential relationships between these variables and isometric shoulder strength. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between isometric shoulder strength, HT and shoulder ROM at the start of each baseball season in a cohort of healthy junior college baseball players. Methods: Ninety-two healthy junior college baseball players (mean age=19.9±0.8 years) were prospectively assessed at the start of 2 consecutive spring seasons. Variables measured included HT, shoulder ROM and isometric shoulder strength. Both the dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) shoulders of each player were assessed throughout the study. Chi square tests and bivariate Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine between group differences and the relationships between variables. Statistical significance was set a priori at α=0.05. Results: 33.7% of junior college players demonstrated a D shoulder ER/IR strength ratio of <0.75 at the start of baseball season. Pitchers and position players demonstrated no significant differences in D shoulder ER/IR strength ratios at the start of the season (P=.40). Additionally, moderate positive relationships were observed between D HT and D IR ROM (r=0.35; P=.001) as well as D horizontal adduction (HA) ROM (r=0.43; P<.001). A moderate relationship was also observed between ND HT and ND IR ROM (r=0.56, P<.001), however ND ER and HA ROM demonstrated weaker relationships respectively (ER: r=-0.27; P=.01; HA: r=0.26; P=.01). Inverse relationships were observed between HT and ER strength in both the D and ND shoulders (D: r=-0.27, P=.01; ND: r=-0.28, P=.007). Internal rotation ROM was also inversely correlated with ER strength (r=-0.29, P=0.005) and ER/IR strength ratios (r=-0.31, P=.003), but only in the D shoulder. No significant correlations were observed between ROM and strength in the ND shoulder. Conclusions: One third of the junior college baseball players in this study began the season with marked deficits in D shoulder strength, irrespective of their position. We then examined the relationships between HT, shoulder ROM and isometric shoulder strength and confirmed the previously established correlation between HT and shoulder ROM. Moreover, there appeared to be inverse relationships between HT and ER strength in both the D and ND shoulders as well as IR ROM and ER strength in the D shoulder. This study emphasizes the importance of pre-season rotator cuff strength training, with an emphasis on improving ER strength, to potentially aid in the prevention of throwing-related upper extremity injuries in collegiate baseball players. Humeral torsion and shoulder ROM may influence isometric shoulder strength, however more research is needed to better understand these relationships in the throwing shoulder.

Time-varying motor control strategy for proximal-to-distal sequential energy distribution: Insights from baseball pitching

The importance of a proximal-to-distal (P-D) sequential motion in baseball pitching is generally accepted; however, the mechanisms behind this sequential motion and motor control theories that explain which factor transfers mechanical energy between the trunk and arm segments are not completely understood. This study aimed to identify the energy distribution mechanisms among the segments and determine the effect of the P-D sequence on the mechanical efficiency of the throwing movement, focusing on the time-varying motor control. The throwing motions of 16 male collegiate baseball pitchers were measured by a motion capture system. An induced power analysis was used to decompose the system mechanical energy into its muscular and interactive torque-dependent components. The results showed that the P-D sequential energy flow during the movement was mainly attributed to three different joint controls of the energy-generation and muscular torque- and centrifugal force-induced energy-transfer. The trunk muscular torques provided the primary energy sources of the system mechanical energy, and the shoulder and elbow joints played the roles of the energy-transfer effect. The mechanical energy expenditure on the throwing hand and ball accounted for 72.7% of the total muscle work generated by the trunk and arm joints (329.2 J). In conclusion, the P-D sequence of the throwing motion is an effective way to utilize the proximal joints as the energy source and reduce muscular work production of the distal joints. This movement control assists in efficient throwing, and is consistent with the theory of the leading joint hypothesis.

Supraspinatus Tendon Changes and Glenohumeral Range of Motion in College Baseball Players

Baseball players commonly show altered glenohumeral range of motion during internal rotation, external rotation, total rotation, and horizontal adduction. These altered ranges of motion appear to be associated with throwing shoulder injuries, which frequently involve the supraspinatus tendons; thus, we aimed to examine the relationship between altered glenohumeral range of motion and supraspinatus tendon changes in collegiate baseball players. To investigate this association using the Pearson correlation coefficient, we measured glenohumeral internal rotation, external rotation, total rotation, and horizontal adduction ranges of motion and supraspinatus tendon thickness in 22 college baseball players. Consequently, there was a significant relationship between increase in supraspinatus tendon thickness and greater deficit of internal rotation (r=–0.520, P=0.013). Increased supraspinatus tendon thickness tended to be associated with greater external rotation gain (r=0.394, P=0.073). No other range of motion had any relationship with supraspinatus tendon changes. These results might indicate that restricted glenohumeral internal rotation and excessive gain in external rotation increase the risk of supraspinatus tendon abnormalities in baseball players.