Using a Sensor-Embedded Baseball to Identify Finger Characteristics Related to Spin Rate and Pitching Velocity in Pitchers

Ming-Chia Yeh; Wen-Wen Yang; Yu-Hsuan Hung; Ya-Chen Liu; Jung-Tang Kung; Hsi-Pin Ma; Chiang Liu

doi:10.3390/s24113523

Using a Sensor-Embedded Baseball to Identify Finger Characteristics Related to Spin Rate and Pitching Velocity in Pitchers

Sensors (Basel). 2024 May 30;24(11):3523. doi: 10.3390/s24113523.

Authors

Ming-Chia Yeh^{1

2}, Wen-Wen Yang³, Yu-Hsuan Hung², Ya-Chen Liu⁴, Jung-Tang Kung⁵, Hsi-Pin Ma⁶, Chiang Liu²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16066, USA.
² Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology, University of Taipei, Taipei 111036, Taiwan.
³ Department of Sports Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404327, Taiwan.
⁴ The Office of Physical Education, Chung-Hua University, Hsinchu 300015, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Sports Training Science-Balls, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan 333325, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Electrical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan.

Abstract

Background: Previous investigations have shown a positive relationship between baseball pitching velocity and the kinetic chain involved in pitching motion. However, no study has examined the influence of finger characteristics on pitching velocity and rate of spin via a sensor-embedded baseball.

Methods: Twenty-one pitchers volunteered and were recruited for this study. An experimental baseball embedded with a force sensor and an inertial measurement unit was designed for pitching performance measurement. Finger length and strength were measured as dependent variables. Spin rate and velocity were independent variables. Pearson product-moment correlations (r) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) determined the relationship between finger characteristics and pitching performance.

Results: Finger length discrepancy, two-point pinch strength, index finger RFD (rate of force development), middle finger impulse, and force discrepancy had significant correlations with spin rate (r = 0.500~0.576, p ≤ 0.05). Finger length discrepancy, two-point pinch, three-point pinch strength, index and middle finger RFD, middle finger impulse, and force combination had significant correlations with fastball pitching velocity (r = 0.491~0.584, p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions: Finger length discrepancy, finger pinch strength, and pitching finger force including maximal force and RFD may be factors that impact fastball spin rate and fastball pitching velocity.

Keywords: pinch strength; pitching finger force; rate of force development.

MeSH terms

Adult
Athletic Performance / physiology
Baseball* / physiology
Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
Fingers* / physiology
Humans
Male
Young Adult

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC; previous named Ministry of Science and Technology [MOST]) in Taiwan (NSTC 113-2425-H-007-003, NSTC 112-2425-H-007-001, MOST 109-2410-H-845-032-MY3). The Council was not involved in the implementation of this research.