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/
Top Related