Youth baseball swing mechanics compared to College-Pro

Differences between swings of youth (n=12, avg age = 14) and adult (n=12, (6 college, 6 pro), avg age = 22) baseball players against a pitching machine:

1.) Youth players start later, adult start earlier. 

This seems to be a common theme in research comparing more expert players to younger or less experienced players.

The college/pro started their swings 0.11 seconds earlier (time from front foot off ground to initial stride foot contact), which was statistically significant

2.) Adult/pro had more lead knee flexion on when the hands start to move forward

Interesting because the lead knee angle is similar at toe touch and ball contact.  Implies the adult/pro can flex into/onto front leg more and extend front leg faster to generate force (see yesterday’s post on vertical force relationship to youth swing)

3.) Youth players showed more range of motion

The youth players were more closed with the hips and torso to start and then more open at contact.  Including more hip-shoulder separation when the hands started moving forward.  But the angular velocity was lower the the pro/adult 

Summary:

This paper discusses a study that compared the hitting mechanics of youth and adult baseball players. The researchers found several differences in kinematic and temporal parameters between the two groups. Adult hitters had greater lead knee flexion, extended the lead knee and maintained a more open pelvis and upper torso position. They also had greater peak upper torso angular velocity, peak left elbow extension angular velocity, peak left knee extension angular velocity, and bat linear velocity at bat-ball contact. The study suggests that learning proper hitting mechanics at a young age may help reinforce these mechanics as players progress to higher levels of baseball.

Link to article

Escamilla, R. F., Fleisig, G. S., DeRenne, C., Taylor, M. K., Moorman, C. T., Imamura, R., ... & Andrews, J. R. (2009). A comparison of age level on baseball hitting kinematics. Journal of applied biomechanics, 25(3), 210-218.

Power characteristics in youth golf - Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull and swing performance

Really good paper here with loads of great info…

Start with this one:

Performance is MULTI-FACETED - in other words, training just for speed/power, approach or mechanics in isolation likely won’t cut it.  A well-rounded program is multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted.  Work on all of it!

Second:

There was a NEAR PERFECT correlation (r=.91) between peak force on the isometric mid-thigh high pull test and carry with the 6-iron and driver.  Pretty incredible strength of relationship

Third:

This study contributes to a growing body of evidence between physical power characteristics and swing performance.

Lastly:

Both movement competency and power are related to swing performance 

Summary:

The document discusses a study that aimed to determine the relationship between isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) force-time characteristics and swing performance in high-level youth golfers. Thirteen high-level youth golfers performed IMTP and swing testing, and the results revealed significant correlations between IMTP peak force and measures of swing performance such as club head speed (CHS) and carry distance. The study suggests that maximal lower body force production is important for swing performance in youth golfers and supports the use of IMTP as a testing tool in this population.

Link to article

Coughlan, Daniel; Taylor, Matthew J.D.; Jackson, Joanna; Ward, Nicholas; Beardsley, Chris. Physical Characteristics of Youth Elite Golfers and Their Relationship With Driver Clubhead Speed. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 34(1):p 212-217, January 2020. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002300

Isometric Mid-thigh high pull demo:

 

Head movement in experienced vs novice batters

This study measured head movement in experienced batters (~age 28, ~12 years experience) compared to novices (had not played baseball) while hitting soft toss.

Findings & practical applications:

1.) Experienced batters started their timing earlier than novices - they demonstrated more head movement in the X-direction (from home plate toward pitcher)

2.) Despite earlier and more head movement, experienced batters stopped head movement near contact whereas novices did not

3.) Experienced batters had less variability of head movement in the Z-direction (up and down) 

Summary:

The study aimed to investigate the differences in head movement patterns during baseball batting between skilled players and novices. Eight skilled players and nine unskilled novices were analyzed using a high-speed video camera. The researchers compared peak latency, peak value, distance, and data variability in head movement between the two groups on the X-axis (from home plate to pitcher's plate) and the Z-axis (vertical downward). The results showed that skilled players had significantly earlier peak latency on the X-axis compared to novices. Skilled players also had a larger difference between the minimum peak and impact, while novices had larger variability in peak latency on the X-axis and peak value on the Z-axis. The findings suggest that these differences in head movement could be applied to improve performance and enhance coaching for batting in baseball.

 

Link to article

Nakata, Hiroki; Miura, Akito; Yoshie, Michiko; Kudo, Kazutoshi. Differences in the Head Movement During Baseball Batting between Skilled Players and Novices. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 26(10):p 2632-2640, October 2012. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182429c38

 

Head movement and eye tracking in elite cricket batters

How do elite cricket batters track the ball compared to less skilled batters?

The title of this article is also the summary: the head tracks and gaze predicts

2 main differences were found:

1) Elite batters tracked the ball with the head, not just the eyes, to maintain the ball closer to central gaze

2) Elite batters stayed “ahead” of ball flight with predictive saccades (eye moments) in anticipation of where the ball was going 

Summary:

This study discusses the eye and head movements of elite cricket batters and how they use predictive eye movement strategies to track the ball and hit it accurately. Previous studies claimed that batters cannot track the ball because it moves too quickly, but this study found that elite batters are able to track the ball by coupling the rotation of their head with the movement of the ball. They also use distinctive eye movement strategies to anticipate the location of the ball bounce and the location of bat-ball contact. These head and eye movement strategies contribute to their interceptive expertise in hitting the ball.

Link to article

Mann, D. L., Spratford, W., & Abernethy, B. (2013). The head tracks and gaze predicts: how the world’s best batters hit a ball. PloS one, 8(3), e58289.

Bat head speed and acceleration model comparison

TRANSLATING technical information to practical application with coaches & players is important.

Especially with visualizations to improve “mental representations” (as described by Anders Ericcson in “Peak”).

This is a representation (on the right side) of a Major League Baseball swing path/plane in comparison to a model (on the left side) provided by Robert Adair in his book “The Physics of Baseball”.   The animated model shows a graph of bat head speed acceleration as well as an acceleration heat mat as the bat accelerates and decelerates during the swing.

When and how does bat speed happen?

This study measured the kinetics of bat speed in 99 amateur players with an average age of 19 years old. 

Bat angular velocity and bat head speed increase simultaneously around the half-way point of the swing (this looks like the time of when stride foot or heel lands, but is not specified in the study other than the image below) and they increase together until around the 80% mark.

The angular velocity is then converted to translational bat head speed into contact.

An interesting finding was that torque created in the X-Y directions did NOT have a significant relationship to bat speed.  The authors cited that torque exerted by the wrists is small compared to the amount of bat speed that gets created. 

Summary:

The document is a scientific study that aims to identify mechanisms to increase bat head speed in baseball batting. The study recorded the batting motion of ninety-nine amateur baseball players and analyzed the kinematics and kinetics of the bat. The results showed that the bat's rotational power increased with the torque exerted on the bat's grip, but declined just prior to impact. On the other hand, the bat's translational power increased just prior to impact. The study concluded that the bat's energy, by the application of rotational and translational power at different times, contributes to an increase in bat head speed in baseball batting. The study highlights the importance of increasing bat head speed in improving the performance of baseball batters.

Link to article 

Horiuchi, G., & Sakurai, S. (2016). Kinetic analyses on increase of bat head speed in baseball batting. International Journal of Sport and Health Science, 14, 94-101.

Ground Reaction Force differences on fastballs vs change ups in pro hitters

This study measured difference in GRF on pro batters (AA level) while throwing fastballs and change ups during batting practice.

Main takeaways:

• Batters took same load/timing on each type of pitch - back foot GRF magnitudes were the same
• Peak back foot GRF happened near timing of pitch release
• Main differences were in the GRF of the front foot
• Peak GRF on the fastball happened closer to contact
• Front foot commitment (50% vertical GRF) happened 29 milliseconds (.029s) later for successful change-up contact and 41 milliseconds (.041s) later for unsuccessful change-up contact

Summary:

The study analyzed the ground reaction forces (GRFs) in the baseball swing and compared them among swings against fastballs and changeups. The focus was on the weight shift of the batter and its impact on the timing and balance of the swing. The study found that while the loading mechanism and initial weight transfer were similar regardless of pitch type, the peak front foot GRFs occurred at significantly different magnitudes and times depending on the pitch type and hit result. Successful swings against fastballs had greater peak front foot GRFs compared to successful and unsuccessful swings against changeups. Unsuccessful swings against changeups occurred earlier in terms of timing compared to successful swings against changeups and fastballs. The study aimed to provide insights into how a changeup can disrupt the coordination of a hitter's weight shift.

Link to abstract

Fortenbaugh, D., Fleisig, G., Onar-Thomas, A., & Asfour, S. (2011). The effect of pitch type on ground reaction forces in the baseball swing. Sports biomechanics, 10(4), 270-279.

Swing changes in different strike zone locations for Division 1 college players

This research studied the changes to swings of Division 1 college baseball players while hitting off a tee in 9 different strike zone locations.  Changes to bat speed and bat angle were compared.  Bat speed and angle was higher on the inside pitch locations and there was also more angle to the bat for pitches lower in the zone.

Article summary:

The article examines changes in bat swing kinematics in different areas of the strike zone in collegiate baseball players. The aim of the investigation was to analyze swing kinematics, specifically the resultant velocity at ball contact (RVBC) and the angle of the bat at ball contact (BABC), in various regions of the strike zone. The study utilized markers on the tee and bat to record swing kinematic variables. Participants completed a series of swing trials in nine regions of their strike zone. The results of the study indicated significant differences in RVBC and BABC across the different regions of the strike zone. The findings suggest that understanding these changes in swing kinematics can help athletes and coaches identify areas of weakness and improve hitting performance during a game.

Link to article

Williams, C. C., Donahue, P. T., Wilson, S. J., Mouser, J. G., Hill, C. M., Luginsland, L. A., ... & Garner, J. C. (2020). Examining changes in bat swing kinematics in different areas of the strike zone in collegiate baseball players. International Journal of Kinesiology and Sports Science, 8(2), 1-6.

Regular vs Heavy Bat kinematic sequence comparison for youth player

In light of yesterday’s post, today is some practical application.

The video explains the changes in the kinematic sequence of a 12 year old player when switching from a regular 24 ounce bat to a heavy 40 ounce bat.  The heavy bat was just a 32”/28oz wood bat with a 12 ounce donut.

It might seem overly technical to motion capture with young players but this was a relatively simple way to check and see if the drill was serving its purpose.  In this case, the player was using the arms early and dragging the bat leading to an early release and rollover through contact.  The point of the heavier bat was to emphasize using the whole body, and specifically transfer energy to and through the upper torso rotation.

In coach talk - be more efficient using the whole body so the swing/hands are shorter and the path stays through the ball more without rolling over.

In practice, it was as simple as changing the bat in a soft toss drill. 

The point of analysis and technology is to make things clearer and simpler to execute…

What’s the point of using a longer bat?

This study looked at the changes in the swing when using different length and weighted bats compared to normal bat in college players.  4 different combinations of long and weighted bats were compared to normal bat while batting off a tee.  The authors stated they had difficulty in making conclusions on the weighted bats so I’ll stick to some thoughts on the long bats.

What does training with a long bat do to your swing?

There was more angular displacement between the trunk and the pelvis and also for upper trunk rotation.  In hitting coach terms, I take this to mean there was more “separation” between the hips and shoulders in addition to more rotation of the shoulders toward contact when using the long bats.  And the longer the bat, the more separation was observed.

The size of the normal bat was .84m/.9kg which equates to 33 inch and nearly 32 ounces.  The 2 lb long bat was 1.1m/.9kg (43 inch, 32 ounce) and this was the only long bat with significantly high peak bat head speed than the normal bat. 

Article summary:

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of hitting motion when using training bats with altered length and mass. Four different long bats (LB) and four different weight bats (WB) that had the equal moment of inertia (MOI) were manufactured based on a normal bat (NB; 0.84 m, 0.90 kg). The hitting motion of eleven male collegiate baseball players was analyzed using a VICON system to collect nine reflective markers fixed on the body and bat. Results showed that the angular displacement of the trunk twist tended to be larger in LB with increasing MOI. Compared to WB, LB may contribute to a larger angular displacement of trunk twist, particularly in players with smaller angular displacement of trunk twist in NB.

Link to article

Takahashi, K., Yamada, K., Kariyama, Y., Hayashi, R., Yoshida, T., Zushi, A., & Zushi, K. (2015). The characteristics of hitting motion using bats having different length and mass but equal moment of inertia. In ISBS-Conference Proceedings Archive.

Medicine ball training, lifting and specificity improves power in high school baseball players

This study covers a 12-week stepwise, periodized weight training program for high school baseball athletes.  The players were relatively untrained with around 1 year average lifting experience.  The program (image of protocol below) included weight training and 100 dry swings 3 times per week over 12 weeks with testing every 4 weeks.

~27% improvement in back squat

~17% improvement in bench press

Both groups improved rotational strength/power

Additional benefit to the group that added med ball work to the strength and dry swing program

Summary:

This document is a research study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research in 2007. The study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of medicine ball training on high school baseball players. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups, with one group performing full-body resistance exercises and taking bat swings, and the other group also performing additional rotational and full-body medicine ball exercises. The participants were tested on their torso rotational strength and sequential hip-torso-arm rotational strength before and after the 12-week training period. Both groups showed significant improvements in these measures, but the group performing the medicine ball exercises showed greater improvements. The study suggests that incorporating medicine ball training into a stepwise periodized resistance training program can enhance torso rotational strength and power in high school baseball players.

Link to article

Szymanski, D. J., Szymanski, J. M., Bradford, T. J., Schade, R. L., & Pascoe, D. D. (2007). Effect of twelve weeks of medicine ball training on high school baseball players. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 21(3), 894–901. https://doi.org/10.1519/R-18415.1

Rotational medicine ball throw relationship to throwing velocity, bat speed and exit velocity

Rotational medicine ball (6#) throw showed a moderate, statistically significant relationship to throwing velocity, bat speed and exit velocity (off a tee) in college (division 3) baseball players. 

The average velocities were:

MB throw - 25.3 mph

Bat speed - 73.8 (measured with blast motion sensor)

Exit velocity - 83.6

Pitching velocity - 81.9

Article Summary:

The document is a research study titled "Rotational Medicine Ball Throw Velocity Relates to NCAA Division III College Baseball Player Bat Swing, Batted Baseball, and Pitching Velocity." The study aims to determine the relationship between rotational medicine ball throw velocity (RMBTV) and bat swing velocity, batted baseball velocity, and pitching velocity in collegiate baseball players.

The study involved 35 NCAA Division III players, including 15 pitchers and 23 hitters. The players participated in various whole-body power tests, including the two-legged standing broad jump for distance, lateral-to-medial jump for distance, and RMBTV. The researchers measured the correlational relationship strength between these tests and bat swing velocity, batted baseball velocity, and pitching velocity.

Results showed that moderate relationships were observed between bat swing velocity and RMBTV, pitching velocity and RMBTV, and batted baseball velocity and RMBTV. However, no significant relationships were found between the two-legged standing broad jump for distance or the lateral-to-medial jump for distance tests and bat swing velocity or pitching velocity.

Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that RMBTV may be a more reliable indicator of bat swing velocity, batted baseball velocity, and pitching velocity in collegiate baseball players. They also propose that further studies should explore whether coordination developed during RMBTV movements can help prevent shoulder and elbow injuries in baseball players.

Link to abstract

Taniyama, Daiki; Matsuno, Jun; Yoshida, Kei; Pyle, Brandon; Nyland, John. Rotational Medicine Ball Throw Velocity Relates to NCAA Division III College Baseball Player Bat Swing, Batted Baseball, and Pitching Velocity. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 35(12):p 3414-3419, December 2021. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004148

 

Newer twist on weighted implement training

Some of the best research on weighted implement training (overload/underload or heavy/light bats) for bat speed were done back in the 1980s and 90s.  This one is more recently done in 2019.

Japanese college baseball players with an average age of 20 years old slightly improved their bat speed with either a very light (8.8, 10.6 ounce) bat or a heavy (38.8 ounce) bat.  The training protocol was 100 dry swings twice per week for 8 weeks.  

Both groups had statistically non-significant improvements in bat speed.  The light bat group improves by 2.17 mph and the heavy bat by 1.3 mph on average.  The training was performed concurrently with existing activities. 

Article summary:

The article discusses the effect of dry swing training with a light bat on bat speed in baseball players. The study aimed to determine if dry swing training with a light bat would increase post-dry swing training bat speed compared to training with a heavy bat. A total of 34 male university baseball players were randomly divided into a light bat group and a heavy bat group. They performed 100 dry swings per day, twice a week for eight weeks. Bat speed and muscle power were measured before and after the intervention. The results showed that there was no significant interaction between the intervention and bat speed, knee extension strength, shoulder horizontal flexion, or hand grip strength. However, there was a main effect of the intervention on bat speed and shoulder horizontal flexion. Both groups showed an increase in bat speed, but there were no significant differences between the light bat and heavy bat groups. The study suggests that dry swing training with a light bat may be more effective and less strenuous.

Link to article

Yano, Y., Yabe, K., Okuno, S., Nagao, R., Naka, K., Honma, K., Yamamoto, S., & Iwata, A. (2019). Dry swing training with a light bat increases bat speed. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 14(4), 918–924. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2019.144.19

Difference between hitting tee and soft toss drill in college softball players

Capability to measure the differences between drills is great for coaching.  It makes it easier to select appropriate drills based on the individual player’s movement capabilities.  It’s also important to recognize that even a small change in drill/environment is likely to alter the player’s mechanics in some way.

Article summary:

The document is a research article titled "Kinematic differences between hitting off a tee versus front toss in collegiate softball players" published in the International Biomechanics journal. The study aims to compare the kinematics of two hitting conditions, hitting off a stationary tee and hitting from a front toss practice pitcher. The study includes 22 NCAA Division I Collegiate softball players and analyzes various kinematic variables such as lead knee flexion, trunk rotation, and pelvis rotation. The results indicate that there are significant differences in swing mechanics between the two conditions. The front toss condition showed greater lead knee flexion at foot contact and greater trunk rotation towards the back side at ball contact. On the other hand, the tee condition showed greater trunk lateral flexion and rotation towards the lead side at follow through. The study suggests that athletes should implement techniques most applicable to a competition setting, such as front toss. The article was published online in May 2018 and can be accessed through the journal's website.

Link to article

Washington, J., & Oliver, G. (2018). Kinematic differences between hitting off a tee versus front toss in collegiate softball players. International Biomechanics, 5(1), 30-35.

Relationship between physical characteristics of college baseball players and bat speed

This study measured physical characteristics and performance tests of 78 college baseball players in Japan and calculated correlations to bat speed measured by a blast motion sensor.  The article is more of a correlational study with training suggestions provided at the end. Body mass and lean body mass has the strongest relationships to bat speed. 

Article summary:

The document is a research article titled "Strength and Conditioning Programs to Increase Bat Swing Velocity for Collegiate Baseball Players." The study aims to investigate the relationship between anthropometric and physiological variables and bat swing velocity (BSV) in collegiate baseball players and to explore strength and conditioning programs to increase BSV. The study included 78 male collegiate baseball players, and BSV was measured using Blast Baseball. Anthropometric and physiological variables measured included height, body mass, lean body mass, grip strength, back muscle strength, 30 m sprint, standing long jump, and backward overhead medicine ball throwing. 

The analysis showed a weak but significant positive correlation between all anthropometric measurements and BSV. Significant relationships were also found between physiological variables of hand grip, back muscle strength, and backward overhead medicine ball throwing, but not the standing long jump and 30 m sprint. The results indicate that BSV is related to anthropometric and physiological variables, particularly upper and lower body strength and full-body explosive power. The study suggests designing training programs based on the results to increase BSV for collegiate baseball players.

 

Link to article

Haruna, R., Doi, T., Habu, D., Yasumoto, S., & Hongu, N. (2023). Strength and Conditioning Programs to Increase Bat Swing Velocity for Collegiate Baseball Players. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 11(10), 202. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11100202

Bench Press and Bat Speed

 

Article summary:

The document is a research study about the relationship between upper-body strength and bat swing speed in high-school baseball players. The study aimed to examine the physical characteristics of home run hitters and determine if there was a correlation between upper-body strength and bat swing speed. The subjects were 30 male high-school baseball players with national tournament experience. Bat swing speed was measured using a microwave-type speed-measuring instrument, and upper-body strength was measured using one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press, bench power, and isokinetic chest press. The results showed significant correlations between bat swing speed and 1RM bench press, bench power, and isokinetic chest press. Home run hitters had higher values in bench power and isokinetic chest press per kilogram of body weight compared to mediocre hitters. The study concludes that to improve hitting power in high-school baseball players, it is important to develop both 1RM bench press and bench power with light loads.

Link to article

Miyaguchi, Kazuyoshi1; Demura, Shinich2. Relationship Between Upper-Body Strength and Bat Swing Speed in High-School Baseball Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 26(7):p 1786-1791, July 2012. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318236d126

 

 

Implement weight training programs

Dr. Coop DeRenne started studying and reporting on the effects of weighted implement training on throw and swing velocity back in the 1980’s.  This article from 1987 - Implement Weight Training Programs - is a bit of a summary of the baseball research on this topic at that point.

Summary:

The article discusses the implementation of weight training programs in baseball. It emphasizes the importance of specificity and safety in designing these programs. The ideal weight training program for baseball should include exercises that closely resemble the movements used in hitting and pitching. The article also mentions the use of implement weight training, which involves using modified standard baseball equipment to improve performance. DeRenne discusses the positive results of several research projects conducted at the University of Hawaii, which showed an increase in hitting and throwing velocities. The use of correctly weighted and balanced bats and baseballs was found to be effective in improving performance. The article concludes by mentioning the collaboration between professional baseball and collegiate programs to improve the game, and the availability of implement weight training equipment in the market.

Link to Article

DeRenne, Coop Ph.D.. BASEBALL: Implement weight training programs. National Strength and Conditioning Association Journal 9(3):p 35-37, June 1987.

 

Relationship of the trunk muscles to bat speed

Article:

Relationships between Bat Swing Speed and Muscle Thickness and Asymmetry in Collegiate Baseball Players

Article summary:

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between bat swing speed (BSS), muscle thickness, and muscle thickness asymmetry in collegiate baseball players. The study included twenty-four collegiate baseball players who participated in hitting a teed ball while their BSS was measured using a motion capture system. Muscle thicknesses of the trunk, upper limb, and lower limb were measured using ultrasonography. The study found statistically significant positive correlations between BSS and muscle thicknesses of the abdominal wall and multifidus lumborum on the dominant side of the body, while no significant correlations were found on the non-dominant side. No correlations were found between BSS and the lateral asymmetry of any muscles. The findings suggest the importance of trunk muscles for bat swing and the lack of association between BSS and muscle size asymmetry.

Link to article