title: The biomechanics of situational baseball: execution and perception of left-handed pitchers' simulated pick-off moves to first base.
abstract: The aim of this study was to provide an in-depth analysis of the pick-off play in baseball. Ten collegiate left-handed pitchers and nine base-runners participated in this study. The pitchers were videotaped with four cameras to derive three-dimensional data while performing deliveries in the directions of first base and home plate in a laboratory setting. Deliveries were performed from flat ground. Differences between these deliveries were measured through ten selected joint and segment angles. The base-runners completed two distinct procedures in which they viewed video footage of left-handed pitchers and estimated the intended delivery direction. Base-runners were subsequently interviewed to determine the reasoning behind their decisions. The pitchers' data revealed differences between delivery types in nearly all of the selected angles (P < 0.01). The base-runners' data demonstrated that their ability to discriminate delivery types improved when allowed more viewing time per trial (P < 0.01). Additionally, commonalities exist among the base-runners' focal points on the pitcher while making decisions regarding delivery direction and the kinematic differences between deliveries in left-handed pitchers. The practical significance of these results, however, may be more difficult to interpret.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, McArthur Engineering Building, Room 268, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA. d.fortenbaugh@umiami.edu
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fortenbaugh
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Butcher-Mokha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D001484:Baseball / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D014743:Videotape Recording