A Kinematic Analysis of the Baseball Batting Swings Involved in Opposite-Field and Same-Field Hitting

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanics of hitting a baseball to the same and opposite fields. Twenty male subjects were assigned to one of two groups according to their baseball hitting abilities. Each subject performed as many trials as were necessary to successfully hit a pitched ball three times to both the same and opposite fields. Each trial was filmed from above. No significant interactions (p < 0.05) were found between subject groups and field hits with selected temporal and kinematic parameters entered as dependent variables. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between body landmark and segment component displacements and velocities at the instant prior to ball contact. The maximum resultant linear and angular speed of the examined body and bat landmarks were found to occur prior to ball contact. Based on the results of the study it was concluded that no interactions exist between hitting ability and hitting technique when hitting to defined field areas and that differences in the mechanics of hitting to defined areas are due in part to: (1) differences in the angular displacements of the left wrist and left elbow joints and (2) differences in the temporal characteristics of the swings.