DESIGN OF SIMULATIVE PITCHING MACHINE AND IT'S EFFECT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to design a simulative device that attached on pitching machine to create the similar pitching motion of real pitcher, and to investigate the subsequent training effect. A photo sensor and automatic switch were used in the design of a simulative device in this study. When light from the photo sensor was cut off by the pitcher's throwing arm, the automatic switch would be turned on immediately and allow a ball to roll down into the pitching machine. Twelve collegiate baseball batters were divided into three groups. A cross-over experimental design was used. Each group involved one of three types of practice after one days rest. The three groups were Type-A: do nothing. Type-B: batting practice by traditional pitching machine. Type-C: batting practice by simulative pitching machine. Each batter hit six balls before and after batting practice for investigating training effect and two baseball experts evaluated batting performance. The results showed that there was significantly increased batting performance after Type-B and Type-C practice (p < .05). Type-C achieved significantly higher batting scores than type-A and Type-B (p < .05) methods. The results suggest that batting practice using a pitching machine with simulative device was an effective batting training method.