THE EXAMINATION OF BALL FIELD PLACEMENT IN SLO-PITCH HITTING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanical differences in the skill of slo-pitch placement hitting between the same and opposite fields. Ten elite participants participated in the study, and each participant hit six balls with each of three different stride techniques to both same and opposite fields. A three-dimensional study analysis was conducted, and the results showed that the participants had a higher linear bat velocity when hitting the ball towards the same field than the opposite field. This study supported the fact that right-handed batters can hit the ball harder and farther to the same field. Further the findings from this study showed different results than a previous baseball study, and future research studies are warranted to examine the differences between slo-pitch and baseball batting skills.