PITCHING ACCURACY IN PROFFESSIONAL, HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PITCHERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in pitching accuracy among three different age groups. Professional (n=5), high school (n=8), and junior high school (n=11) pitchers were tested. To determine pitching accuracy, pitch locations relative to the catcher’s mitt were fitted to a bivariate normal distribution and a 90% confidence ellipse was obtained for each pitcher. Significant main effects were observed for age group in all of the parameters analysed, including: area, major radius and minor radius. There were significant differences in the minor and major radii of the 90% confidence ellipses between professional and junior high school players. The pitching accuracy of high school and professional players was also significantly greater than that of junior high school players. The superior pitching accuracy demonstrated by professional pitchers may be an important motor skill that is required to pitch at the professional level.