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Are pressure-induced performance errors in experts associated with novice-like skill execution (as predicted by reinvestment/conscious processing theories) or expert execution toward a result that the performer typically intends to avoid (as predicted by ironic processes theory)? The present study directly compared these predictions using a baseball pitching task with two groups of experienced pitchers. One group was shown only their target, while the other group was shown the target and an ironic (avoid) zone. Both groups demonstrated significantly fewer target hits under pressure. For the target-only group, this was accompanied by significant changes in expertise-related kinematic variables. In the ironic group, the number of pitches thrown in the ironic zone was significantly higher under pressure, and there were no significant changes in kinematics. These results suggest that information about an opponent can influence the mechanisms underlying pressure-induced performance errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the holy ground of Kōshien, Japan's annual high school baseball tournament, and the national festival and cultic fever that accompanies it. Some of the most successful schools that participate in Kōshien were founded by new religious groups such as Tenrikyō, PL Kyōdan, and Bentenshū. I offer some suggestions why this is the case, since none of these religions espouse either sports or competition in their formal creed. Furthermore, I consider the success of these schools in a postwar Japanese social context that has changed substantially since their establishment. The article will also touch on the most recent criticism of Japanese collectivism and how this criticism may effect baseball culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical interventionist ethnography has recently come into vogue within the Sociology of Sport. More specifically, many in our field believe that merely studying and writing up studies on physical culture is not enough, and that work within the field needs to be more impactful, meaningful, and exact various forms of social justice. As such, in this paper I will discuss how the turn to social justice has had a profound effect on my research agenda. In so doing, I will outline the difficulties and challenges inherent in such a political project by critically reflecting on my first ethnographic research project on the Little League World Series--an admittedly failed attempt at critical intervention. I hope to help foster better and more successful research projects within the field by looking back at some of the key mistakes I made at this site while simultaneously encouraging others to be public pedagogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shoulder and elbow examinations for pitchers have been performed in Japan's National High School Baseball Invitational Tournaments (NHSBITs) and National High School Baseball Championships (NHSBCs) since 1993. However, for years the results have not been analyzed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the condition of shoulders and/or elbows of pitchers from 1993 to 2016.Materials and Methods: Pitchers in NHSBITs and NHSBCs, 1994-2016, were examined together with those who received a trial examination (Trial) in the NHSBC 1993. Shoulder and elbow symptoms were comprehensively graded into five categories; none, mild, moderate, severe and dysfunction. Standard plain radiographs of the shoulder and elbow were obtained. Average Annual Percent Changes (AAPCs) in the percentages of pitchers with symptoms and positive radiographic findings were analyzed.Results: The percentages of pitchers with moderate or worse symptoms in the shoulder or elbow were 14.6% and 13.8%, respectively, in the Trial, 1.1% and 1.1% in NHSBITs and 1.3% and 2.0% in NHSBCs. The AAPC of pitchers with a symptomatic shoulder in NHSBITs was reduced over the study period, at -3.36% (P < 0.05), but that in NHSBCs was unchanged at -1.01%. The AAPCs of pitchers with a symptomatic elbow in NHSBITs and in NHSBCs decreased, at -3.13% and -3.33%, respectively (P < 0.05), while that of pitchers with residual apophyseal fragmentation at the ulnar collateral ligament insertion increased at +2.79% (P < 0.05). The decreased percentages of symptomatic pitchers suggest that joint condition is well controlled in high school days; however, the increased frequency of radiographic findings suggests the necessity of protection against overuse in younger players.Conclusions: The percentages of pitchers with symptomatic shoulders and elbows in NHSBITs and those with symptomatic elbows in NHSBCs have decreased over the 23 years. However, the increased frequency of residual medial humeral epicondyle apophyseopathy should be noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional baseball batters' (N = 105) visual anticipation of pitch type and location were measured using a video-based temporal occlusion test and correlated with their baseball batting statistics. Participants watched in-game footage of skilled baseball pitchers that was temporally occluded at the point of ball release, and at 80 ms and 200 ms after ball release. Participants made written predictions of pitch type and location. Results indicated there was a significant positive correlation between anticipation of combined pitch type and location 80 ms after ball release with slugging percentage (r =.21). There was a significant negative correlation between anticipation of pitch type alone 200 ms after ball release and strikeouts (r = −.28), indicating higher prediction is associated with fewer incorrect swing choices. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between anticipation of pitch type alone 200 ms after ball release and on-base percentage (r =.23) as well as walk-to-strikeout ratio (r =.25). These small relationships are consistent to the batting statistics we predicted and can be due to the range of competitive levels in the leagues the participants had played. The findings further theoretical and applied knowledge of the role visual anticipation contributes to baseball batting game performance. The findings also suggest that game footage can be used to assess and potentially to train visual anticipation skill, which is highly valuable for athletes and high performance support staff in sporting organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the role that season progression and social threats play in the heat-aggression hypothesis within Major League Baseball put forward by Reifman, Larrick, and Fein (1991). Box score data from 38,870 Major League Baseball games between the years of 2000 and 2015 was used to test the heat-aggression relationship, while accounting for temporal and social factors that may be simultaneously exerting influence on player behavior. Controlling for a number of other variables, we observed that the effect of temperature on aggressive behavior is partially contingent on the point of the season in which the game took place. Aggressive behavior was also more likely to occur when teams played divisional (compared to league and inter-league) rivals, however this relationship was contingent on season progression. We provide potential boundary conditions relating to the heat-aggression relationship, indicating this may not be a ubiquitous phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore whether free agents in Major League Baseball meet the expectations set forth by newly signed contracts. The value and duration of these contracts are negotiated between the player (and his agent) and the signing team and are based primarily on the player's performance to date, projected future performance, and potential marketing value to the team. We develop two classes of models to explore this problem using a variety of regression- and tree-based machine learning algorithms. The market model uses player and team data to predict the market value of a player's performance (i.e., average contract salary). The performance model uses the same data to predict wins above replacement as a surrogate for overall player performance. We translate this measure into dollars using position-based conversion factors. Analysis of these models demonstrates that the performance model more consistently predicts and assesses player value with respect to their free agent contracts. Together, these models can be used to target or avoid free agents (or other players) whose performance-based value differs significantly from their market value. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining: The ASA Data Science Journal, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the marketing journey of a professional baseball team in South Korea (the SK Wyverns), from the conception of a new "green" campaign to the resulting environmental, social and economic gains of the local community and of Korean baseball in general. Design/methodology/approach - The investigator interviewed 12 constituents of the SK's green marketing campaign, participated as an observer at seven separate field trips to the SK stadium and meetings, and collected and analyzed corporate documentation and physical artifacts. The role of the researcher as an advisor to the Wyvern's green marketing initiative from the onset provided rare access to these multiple and different sources of evidence, which helped to establish the trustworthiness of the results (Yin, 2003). Findings - By taking unconventional steps to find new funding opportunities, the team managed to achieve a triple benefit-of environmental, social and economic gains from green marketing. In the big picture, one will recognize that the SK Wyverns' story is less about the opportune timing of its funding strategy, and more about its capacity for innovative thinking to address the big issue of meeting up-front costs. Originality/value - The significance of the SK Wyverns' green marketing program is that it shows how even a team in a non-major baseball market like South Korea can accept a big challenge and deliver the desired results by solving the cost issue in a proactive, creative way. The hope is that other sport franchises around Asia, in other regions faced with growing environmental concerns, may regard this case as a benchmark and find inspiration for their own creative solutions in going green. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the baseball tournament known as the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The article examines the national backgrounds of the participants, particularly those playing on teams from Israel, France, and Spain including Shawn Green, Ichiro Suzuki, and Mike Randall. It also discusses the role of Major League Baseball (MLB) commissioner Allan "Bud" Selig in promoting the WBC.

The article discusses the baseball tournament the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and the heritage of WBC players on Team Israel. It examines players known as heritage players in the WBC who were not born in the country for which they played in the tournament, particularly American Jews. It also discusses the film "Field of Dreams" and what the author calls "Field of Dreams" moments for WBC participants.

The article examines media coverage and narratives concerning the 2006 tournament the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The author argues that the lack of popularity of the WBC among U.S. baseball fans and members of Major League Baseball (MLB) suggested an unwillingness to admit that baseball was not exclusively or uniquely American. It discusses media narratives concerning the origin of baseball in the U.S., the history of international baseball, and the globalization of baseball. The article also discusses the organization the International Baseball Federation (IBAF).

The article presents a speech by scholar Chris Lamb delivered at the annual Spring Training Conference sponsored by the scholarly periodical "Nine" on March 16, 2013. He discusses discrimination against African Americans in baseball in the U.S. and its impact on children and Little League African American baseball players, particularly the Charleston, South Carolina, Little League team the Cannon Street all-stars and the attempt to play in the annual Charleston Little League tournament in 1955.