Archived
This content is available here strictly for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping and as such it may not be fully accessible. If you work or study at University of Kentucky and would like to request an accessible version, please use the SensusAccess Document Converter.
Descriptive Analysis of Pitch Volume in Southeastern Conference Baseball Pitchers
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Representative data on typical pitch volume for collegiate pitchers functioning in their specific roles is sparse and is needed for training specificity.
OBJECTIVE: To report pitch volumes in Division I collegiate pitchers. The authors hypothesize that pitcher role will result in different pitch volumes.
METHODS: Pitchers from twelve Division I collegiate baseball teams pitch volume during the 2009 baseball season was retrospectively reviewed through each team's website. The number of pitches and innings pitched for each pitcher were recorded. Pitchers were categorized based on their role as "Starter-only" (n=15), "Reliever-only" (n=76), or "Combined Starter/Reliever" (n=94) and compared using ANOVA.
RESULTS: "Starter-only" pitchers threw the most pitches (97±10) and pitched the most innings (6.0±1.0) per appearance (p=<.001). "Combined Starter/Reliever" functioning as a starter threw significantly more pitches (68±19) and pitched more innings (4.0±1.3) per appearance compared to "Combined Starter/Reliever" functioning as a reliever and "Reliever-only" pitchers (p=
DISCUSSION: Pitcher's specific roles and representative volumes should be used to design training and rehabilitation programs. Comparison of this data to reported adolescent pitch volumes reveal that adolescent pitch volume per appearance approaches collegiate levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Collegiate pitcher roles dictate their throwing volume. Starter-only pitchers (8%) throw the greatest cumulative number of pitches and should be trained differently than the majority of college pitchers (92%) who function primarily as a reliever or in combination starter/reliever roles that on average only requires approximately 40 pitches per appearance.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2010
Repository Citation
Love, Shawn; Aytar, Aydan; Bush, Heather; and Uhl, Timothy L., "Descriptive Analysis of Pitch Volume in Southeastern Conference Baseball Pitchers" (2010). Physical Therapy Faculty Publications. 39.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/rehabsci_facpub/39
Notes/Citation Information
Published in North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, v. 5, no. 4, p. 194-200.