BASEBALL PITCHING MOTION

A Biomechanical Analysis

By: Cole Stuerke & Tucker Epp

OBJECTIVE

The objective of pitching is to throw the ball within a virtual zone called the strike zone, and to prevent the batter from hitting the ball into the field of play and getting on base.

THE 4 PHASES OF PITCHING

Wind-up Early & Late Cocking (Stride) Acceleration Deceleration (Follow Through)

WIND-UP

Pitch selection and location are determined

Relatively low muscle activity Frontal & Sagittal Planes Common Errors:

• Poor balance• Premature forward movement• Posterior COG

EARLY & LATE COCKING (STRIDE)

Initiated at maximum lead knee height COG lowered and accelerated toward home

plate Muscles used: gluteus maximus, hamstrings,

quadriceps, deltoid Frontal & Transverse Planes Common Errors:

• Stride direction• Stride length

EARLY & LATE COCKING CONT’D

VIDEO

ACCELERATION Initiated at maximum external rotation

(MER) Transverse & Sagittal Planes Muscles: latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major Elbow extension, shoulder internal rotation,

wrist flexion & pronation, knee extension Ends at ball release

DECELERATION (FOLLOW THROUGH)

Sagittal and Transverse Planes Back foot off ground Pitcher assumes fielding position Bicep reaches peak eccentric muscular activity Ends with maximal dominant shoulder internal

rotation

CONSIDERATIONS

Competition Level• Professional vs. Amateur

Types of Pitches• Pitch velocity & movement• Slider, fastball, curveball, etc.

SUMMARY

Complex interaction of body segment movements

Includes many muscle groups High injury risk due to repetitive nature Four Phases:

• Wind-up• Early & Late Cocking• Acceleration• Deceleration

REFERENCES

Calabrese, G. J. (2013). Pitching mechanics, revisited. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 8(5), 652-660. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3811736/

Seroyer, S. T., Nho, S. J., & Romeo, A. A. (2010). The kinetic chain in overhand pitching. Sports Health, 2(2), 135-146. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445080/

Whiteley, R. (2007). Baseball throwing mechanics as they relate to pathology and performance - a review. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 6(1), 1-20. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3778685/

Fortenbaugh, D., Fleisig, G. S., & Andrews, J. R. (2009). Baseball pitching biomechanics in relation to injury risk and performance. Sports Health, 1(4), 314-320. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445126/