Affiliations: [a] Athletic Department, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA | [b] Department of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA | [c] Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: John F. Caruso, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Louisville, 2100 S Floyd Street, Louisville KY 40292, USA. Tel.: +1 502 8526648; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Analytics, to quantify baseball pitch metrics, take on many forms and are unlike earlier methods to assess performance. OBJECTIVE: Quantify associations of flight kinematic and anthropometric variables on pitch release speed. METHODS: Male college-age pitchers (n= 182) from 2021 Division I games provided data. A 3D radar system collected data. Fixed effects regression OLS models analyzed data for sliders, changeups, curveballs, and fastballs. RESULTS: Spin rate (r= 0.017–0.514, p< 0.05) and vertical break (r= 0.374–0.703, p< 0.05) were positively associated with pitch release speed per pitch type. Release height (r=-0.286–0.051, p<-0.05) and pitch extension (r=-0.176–0.43, p< 0.05) were negatively associated with pitch release speed per pitch type except sliders. Spin axis had a negative association with pitch release speed for fastballs (r=-0.235, p< 0.05) and sliders (r=-0.311, p< 0.05), and a positive association (r= 0.029, p< 0.05) with curveball pitch release speed. Weight only related to pitch release speed for fastballs (r=-0.315, p< 0.05). Height did not impact pitch release speed. CONCLUSIONS: Results refute long-held beliefs of anthropometry’s influence on performance and instead reveal flight kinematics’ impact on baseball pitch release speed.
