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The purpose of this study is to examine changes in the kinetic parameters of the fingers caused by differences in ball velocity during overarm throwing. Six baseball players participated in the study, and the kinetics of the wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint were calculated using an inverse dynamics method. The results of Tukey's multiple comparison tests showed that the torque and work of the wrist increased with increasing ball velocity (p < .05), indicating that wrist torque and work contributed to the adjustment of ball velocity. Peak MP joint torque also increased with ball velocity (p < .05), although the work of the MP joint remained relatively constant. We conclude that MP joint torque and work contribute to the achievement of stable ball release rather than adjusting ball velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the implications of asymmetric baseball movements on the incidence of spondylolysis. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between asymmetric movements and the laterality of spondylolysis. Overview of Literature: Baseball, characterized by its asymmetric throwing and batting, may disproportionately stress one side. Lumbar spondylolysis is a frequent cause of lower back pain in young athletes, particularly those involved in activities with consistent unilateral rotations such as baseball. However, whether a link exists between the laterality in spondylolysis and the dominant throwing/batting side or whether disparities exist between pitchers and fielders remains unclear. Methods: The study included 85 players. Participants were divided into two groups: pitchers and fielders. The association between the laterality of spondylolysis and the throwing/batting side in the overall cohort and between the two groups was evaluated. Results: Among pitchers, 16 lesions appeared on the throwing side and 32 on the nonthrowing side (p=0.029). For fielders, no notable difference was observed between the two sides (p=0.363). Furthermore, batting preference did not influence the laterality of spondylolysis in either group. Conclusions: Adolescent baseball players, particularly pitchers, exhibited a higher incidence of lumbar spondylolysis on the side opposite their throwing arm. The findings of this study highlight the significant effect of asymmetrical sporting activities on the development of spondylolysis, to which pitchers are particularly susceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to a confounding decision by the Supreme Court in the 1920s, the sport of professional baseball was permitted to grow for over a century unconstrained by federal antitrust laws. As a result of this antitrust exemption, professional baseball players were forced to endure unique hardships in the area of labor relations, as compared to athletes in other professional sports. After decades of confusing litigation results and calls for legislation, Congress finally responded in 1998 through passage of the Curt Flood Act. However, despite broadly claiming to apply federal antitrust laws to the sport of professional baseball, the effect of the Act was far more limited. Therefore, Major League Baseball players have been forced to look elsewhere when seeking external influences to force concessions at the bargaining table. Unlike Major League Baseball players, Minor League Baseball players were unable to even approach the bargaining table until very recently. Thus, while Major League Baseball players spent decades achieving small victories to cumulatively improve their labor conditions, such opportunities were unavailable to Minor League Baseball players. However, recent years have seen this trend come to an end. Today, Minor League Baseball players possess union representation and a seat at the bargaining table. In light of these advances, legitimate questions have been raised as to the modern need for an antitrust exemption that places labor relations in baseball on an uneven playing field compared to other professional sports. Although the future of the exemption is unclear, recent history suggests that both the Supreme Court and Congress have taken note of these developments and are beginning to reexamine the modern justifications of an antitrust exemption for professional baseball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of the quality of the "deep squat" movement, adapted from the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) system, on the lower extremity movement pattern during baseball throwing, and its potential impact on throwing performance and propulsion efficiency. Twenty-two baseball players were recruited and categorized into two groups: 13 in the high-score squat group (HSS) and 9 in the low-score squat group (LSS), based on their deep squat screening results. This research explored disparities in ball velocity, propulsion efficiency, propulsion ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics, and throwing kinematics between these two groups. The findings revealed no significant difference in ball velocity between the groups. However, the LSS group demonstrated a lower propulsion GRF efficiency (p < 0.030, ES = 0.46), along with a higher vertical peak GRF (p < 0.002, ES = 0.66). In the pivot leg, the HSS group exhibited significantly lower impulse forces in the Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.035, ES = 0.45), throwing direction (p < 0.049, ES = 0.42), and vertical direction (p < 0.048, ES = 0.42). Additionally, the contribution to the ball velocity of the pivot leg was significantly greater in the HSS group, along with significantly better efficiency in Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.035, ES = 0.45), throwing direction (p < 0.053, ES = 0.41), and vertical direction (p < 0.032, ES = 0.46). In the leading leg, the HSS group demonstrated significantly lower impulse forces in the Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.001, ES = 0.69), throwing direction (p < 0.007, ES = 0.58), and vertical direction (p < 0.001, ES = 0.70). Moreover, the contribution to the ball velocity of the leading leg was significantly greater in the HSS group, accompanied by significantly better efficiency in Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.003, ES = 0.63), throwing direction (p < 0.005, ES = 0.60), and vertical direction (p < 0.021, ES = 0.49). In conclusion, this study suggests that squat screening is a valuable tool for assessing propulsion efficiency. Coaches and trainers should be mindful of players with low squat quality but high throwing performance, as they may face increased impact and injury risks in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The region where the ulnar nerve (UN) is swollen in baseball players with ulnar neuropathy is not apparent. This study investigated the UN's cross-sectional area (CSA) at each entrapment point in baseball players. We also aimed to clarify the relationship between valgus instability and the CSA of the UN. Methods: Forty baseball players were separated into healthy and ulnar neuropathy groups. The CSA and valgus instability were measured using ultrasonography (US). Relative to the medial epicondyle (MEC), the arcade of Struthers (SA) was 5 cm proximal, the cubital tunnel was the posterior part, and Osborne's ligament was defined as 3 cm distal. The ulnohumeral joint space was imaged as a low-echo space between the distal-medial corner of the trochlea and the proximal edge of the sublime tubercle. Results: The UN in the ulnar neuropathy group had significant swelling in the cubital tunnel and Osborne's ligament. We found a weak positive correlation between the CSA and ulnohumeral joint space, and the ulnohumeral joint space at rest and valgus stress. Conclusion: Evaluation and treatment of UN, especially cubital tunnel and Osborne's ligament, are necessary for the rehabilitation of baseball players presenting with ulnar neuropathy and valgus instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an increasing interest in training perceptual skills in sports through online video-based methods, particularly in baseball. However, there is little empirical evidence related to the reliability and validity of such online methods for the assessment of these skill. Here we developed an online task to assess pitch discrimination and evaluated (a) inter-item reliability, (b) reliability in assessment compared to an in-person task, also tapping into external validity and (c) discriminability across different skill groups. We also compared performance on a non-sport specific Dynamic Visual Acuity task (DVA), thought to tap into underlying visual skills comprising pitch discrimination. Skilled, Varsity-level baseball players (n = 17) were compared to novices (n = 14) when discriminating pitches thrown by two different pitchers, across three pitch types, edited to progressively remove sections of ball flight (3 time points). The online task discriminated across skill groups, showed good reliability across repeated viewings and from the online task to an in-person assessment of skilled athletes (n = 8). There were, however, differences in reliability and discriminant validity based on the type of pitcher, with one pitcher being responded to more accurately and reliably. Skilled participants showed good discriminability between fastballs and change-ups. There were no group differences for DVA, nor did it correlate with pitch discrimination for the skilled group. These data illustrate the reliability of online video assessments, but raise issues concerning discriminability across different pitchers and when standing ready to swing. Greater sensitivity testing of such assessments is still needed, within and across skill groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper outlines a case study in sport psychology service delivery provided to a 16-year-old high school baseball player. The client reported experiencing distraction from overthinking in training and competition, which hindered his concentration and performance. An acceptance and commitment therapy intervention was implemented over 10 sessions across a 5-month period. The aim of the intervention was to overcome anxiety by encouraging acceptance of unhelpful thoughts, rather than changing or removing them, and helping the client focus on moving toward the athlete he wanted to be. This case offers a novel contribution to the wider literature by reporting an acceptance and commitment therapy intervention addressing performance anxiety in sport. We report how psychological flexibility was achieved through exercises to "unhook" the client from his thoughts around perfection and self-imposed pressure. Reflections from the client and practitioner capture the evaluation of the service delivery process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The optimal limb position during stress ultrasound (SUS) evaluation of elbow valgus laxity has not been standardized. Purpose: To compare 2 elbow positions (at 90° and 30° of flexion) and report which position method better represents the increased valgus laxity characteristics of baseball players. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Eighteen college baseball players with no history of elbow pain or elbow disorders who belonged to a college baseball club between April and November 2021 participated in this study. The medial elbow joint space (MEJS) was recorded by ultrasonography at rest and under valgus stress, and the difference in MEJS between the conditions was considered the valgus laxity. For all participants, the MEJS was recorded at 90° and 30° of elbow flexion. In the 90° of flexion position, the participant was positioned in the supine position with abduction and external rotation of the shoulder, and 2.5 kgf of valgus stress was applied proximally to the wrist. In the 30° of flexion position, the participant was positioned in the sitting position with abduction and external rotation of the shoulder, and 3.0 kgf of valgus stress was applied to the ulnar head. Valgus laxity on the throwing and nonthrowing sides was compared between the 2 elbow positions using paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests after checking the normality. Results: There was a significant difference in valgus laxity on the throwing side between the 90° and 30° of flexion positions (1.9 vs 1.1 mm, respectively; P =.002), whereas no significant difference between positions was seen on the nonthrowing side (P =.06). Conclusion: SUS with the elbow flexed at 90° more clearly detected valgus laxity in the study participants than the 30° of flexion position. Clinical Relevance: The quantitative evaluation of valgus laxity is important for baseball players to assess the risk of ulnar collateral ligament injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]