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PubMed1993

Sinistrality and reduced longevity: Reichler's 1979 data on baseball players do not indicate a relationship.

Halpern and Coren's 1988 results concerning the longevity of sinistral and dextral baseball players have been used to support the idea that sinistrality is associated with reduced longevity. Halpern and Coren stated that they used Reichler's 1979 The Baseball Encyclopedia, which has longevity data through 1978, as their source. Apparent errors in reporting findings from that source suggested the possible value of analyzing Reichler's 1979 data. That analysis indicated findings that did not confirm Halpern and Coren's 1988 findings. Coren, however, related in 1992 that, although Halpern and Coren used Reichler as their source, they considered longevity data only through 1974. We therefore contend that the present findings represent what Halpern and Coren would have found had they considered Reichler's longevity data through 1978. Procedures used to analyze baseball player's longevity and the possible value of and potential problems with an updated baseball study are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Association between eye and hand dominance and hitting, fielding and pitching skill among players of the Southern Baseball League.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between eye dominance and batting skill in baseball has been investigated, but conflicting results have been obtained. In addition, little attention has been given to the relationship, if any, between eye dominance and fielding and pitching skill. METHODS: A vision screening of 215 professional baseball players in the Southern Baseball League was performed and the eye dominance of these players was determined by a sighting test. Handedness for batting, fielding, and pitching was determined by history. RESULTS: The screening revealed that 66 percent of players were right-eye dominant and that, of 92 players who met the criteria established to qualify for the league batting championship, 60 percent had matched dominance of eye and hand. When official league batting averages were obtained for these 92 players, it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between batters with matched dominance (.278 mean batting average). For the 149 fielders in the league, no statistically significant differences based on eye dominance were found for fielding average (.893 matched dominance, .864 crossed dominance); for the 89 pitchers, a similar result was obtained. Pitchers were also evaluated with respect to eye dominance and earned run average, but no significant difference was found (3.91 matched dominance, 4.03 crossed dominance). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that there is no association between eye dominance, and hitting, fielding, or pitching skill in baseball.

Baseball↗
PubMed2005

Clinical Measures of Shoulder Mobility in the Professional Baseball Player.

Context: Professional baseball players must achieve a delicate balance between shoulder mobility and stability to attain optimal sports performance. The sport-specific demands of repetitive overhead throwing may result in an altered mobility-stability relationship.Objective: To evaluate clinical measures of shoulder mobility in professional baseball players in order to examine differences between the throwing and the nonthrowing shoulders and to describe chronic adaptations to throwing.Design: Descriptive.Setting: The athletic training room at Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix, AZ.Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-seven professional baseball players (20 pitchers, 7 position players; age = 20 +/- 1.6 years, height = 190.5 +/- 4.8 cm, mass = 91.6 +/- 9.6 kg) with no previous history of shoulder or elbow injury.Main Outcome Measure(s): We recorded scapular upward rotation at 4 levels of humeral elevation in the scapular plane (rest, 60 degrees , 90 degrees , 120 degrees ); posterior shoulder tightness; and passive, isolated glenohumeral joint internal and external range of motion.Results: Scapular upward rotation was significantly greater in the throwing shoulder (14.2 +/- 6.5 degrees ) than in the nonthrowing shoulder (10.6 +/- 6.1 degrees ) at 90 degrees of humeral elevation (P = .04). We observed no statistically significant difference in posterior shoulder tightness between the throwing (30.2 +/- 4.6 cm) and the nonthrowing (28.0 +/- 4.8 cm) shoulder (P = .09). In addition, the throwing shoulder exhibited a statistically significant decrease in isolated glenohumeral internal rotation (56.6 +/- 12.5 degrees ) compared with the nonthrowing shoulder (68.6 +/- 12.6 degrees ) (P = .001), with a concomitant increase in isolated glenohumeral external rotation (throwing = 108.9 +/- 9.0 degrees , nonthrowing = 101.9 +/- 5.9 degrees , P = .0014). An analysis of the total arc of motion (internal rotation + external rotation) revealed no statistically significant difference between sides (P = .15).Conclusions: The throwing shoulder exhibited significant differences in scapular and glenohumeral mobility compared with the nonthrowing shoulder. Further research is necessary to determine the relation of these adaptive changes, if any, to shoulder injury and disability.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Commotio cordis. The single, most common cause of traumatic death in youth baseball.

Two cases of blunt chest trauma caused by a baseball are reported, including one death. At least one of these was in consequence of cardiac concussion or commotio cordis, an entity not described in teh pediatric literature. Concussion of the heart is a functional injury, in contrast to cardiac contusion or cardiac rupture, which pertains to structural injury. However, a cardiac concussion appears more likely to have immediate, dire consequences than the structural injury of cardiac contusion. Both of the cases presented occurred in the Little League baseball setting. Blunt chest trauma is reported to cause two to three deaths in youth baseball each year. There appears to be an increased pediatric susceptibility to this type of injury. Unfortunately, these cases are quite resistant to resuscitative therapy. Devices and techniques for primary and secondary prevention exist, but have yet to be systematically verified and implemented.

Baseball↗
PubMed1989

Use of smokeless tobacco in a group of professional baseball players.

This paper describes the smokeless tobacco use practices and oral health problems of members of a minor league professional baseball team. Seventeen of 25 ball-players reported current use of smokeless tobacco. Gingival recession and lesions in the oral mucosa were more common in smokeless tobacco users than nonusers. Reported use of smokeless tobacco was greater during baseball season than in the off-season. Of the 19 current and past users, 15 reported first using smokeless tobacco after entering professional baseball. To discourage the use of smokeless tobacco by professional athletes, teams should stop accepting free samples and do a better job educating players about health consequences associated with use.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Stress fracture of the olecranon in an adult baseball player.

Stress fractures of the olecranon caused by repetitive stress force have infrequently been reported as a cause of elbow pain in adult athletes, engaged in throwing and pitching sports. We diagnosed as a stress fracture of the olecranon by clinical and radiographic findings and treated surgically. The patient returned to playing baseball at a competitive level and was asymptomatic 4 months after the first operation. However, the patient re-injured the olecranon and a second surgical treatment was performed almost 1 year after the first operation. After the second surgery, the patient returned to playing baseball at a competitive level and was free from elbow symptoms. We presented a stress fracture of the olecranon in a semi-professional adult baseball player and suggested that surgical treatment is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Baseball bat injuries to the maxillofacial region caused by assault.

PURPOSE: Baseball bats, although meant for recreational use, are also frequently used as assault weapons, resulting in multiple types of injuries including those in the maxillofacial region. This report reviews the patients admitted to the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Service with maxillofacial injuries caused by blunt trauma from assault with a baseball bat between July 1989 and January 1994. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of 29 patients were reviewed for age, sex, race, Glasgow Coma Scale, associated drug or alcohol use, type of injury, and associated injuries. RESULTS: In this inner city hospital study it was found that 18 of the patients (62%) were African-American and that 74% of the victims had associated alcohol abuse and 38% had associated drug abuse. Of the 29 patients, 27 (93%) were men and 23 (79%) were between the ages of 21 and 40 years. The majority of fractures involved the midface region and nearly half the patients had concomitant neurologic injury. Two patients died as a result of their injuries. CONCLUSION: Assaults with a baseball bat can result in significant morbidity and even mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The complete type of suprapatellar plica in a professional baseball pitcher: consideration of a cause of anterior knee pain.

Abstract We report the case of a professional baseball pitcher who achieved complete relief of an anterior knee pain after resection of a complete type of suprapatellar plica under arthroscopy. The 27-year-old male professional baseball pitcher had complained of right anterior knee pain while pitching for more than 2 years. On physical examination, the mobility of his patella was limited and he complained of tenderness along the joint line of his lateral patellofemoral joint. The preoperative patellofemoral axial radiograph showed osteophyte formation on the lateral edge of the patella. On preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, a septum dividing the suprapatellar pouch was found. Arthroscopy revealed obvious cartilaginous damage on the lateral facet of the patella and facing trochlea of the femoral condyle. There was a complete type of suprapatellar plica. The suprapatellar plica seemed to be anchoring the patella, which reduced the mobility of the patella. After resecting the complete type of suprapatellar plica under arthroscopy, the mobility of the patella was improved. Because his anterior knee pain while pitching reduced rapidly postoperatively, he could return to regular baseball. We consider that the main cause of his anterior knee pain was cartilaginous damage on the patella and the trochlea, which might be accelerated by the existence of the suprapatellar plica that reduced the mobility of the patella.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Craniomaxillofacial fractures during recreational baseball and softball.

PURPOSE: Baseball and softball are leading causes of sports-related facial trauma in the United States. We review our institutional experience (Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY) with these injuries and discuss measures to reduce their incidence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We review our institutions experience with facial fractures sustained during the course of a softball or baseball game over a 12-year period. A total of 38 patients were identified and medical records analyzed for patient demographics, type of impact, and fracture location. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 3.2:1; mean age was 24.2 years, with 17 (45%) of the injuries occurring in the pediatric population. The majority of the injuries were caused by direct impact with the ball (68%), while player-player collisions (18%) and impact from a swung bat (13%) were responsible for the remaining injuries. There were a total of 39 fractures; 18 fractures (46%) involved the midface (level 2), skull (level 1) fractures accounted for 12 (31%), while 9 (23%) were mandibular (level 3) fractures. CONCLUSION: With 68% of the injuries resulting from a ball impact, we endorse the recommendations of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for the use of low-impact National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment-approved baseballs and softballs for youth and recreational leagues.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The visual function of professional baseball players.

PURPOSE: To measure the visual acuity, stereoacuity, and contrast sensitivity of professional baseball players. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-seven professional baseball players underwent several tests of visual function including distance visual acuity. Stereoacuity was evaluated at near by the Randot test and at distance by both contour and random dot targets. Distance stereoacuity was also tested under timed and untimed conditions. Contrast sensitivity was evaluated by the Vision Contrast Test System, Contrast Sensitivity Viewer, and Binocular Visual Acuity Tester. RESULTS: Visual acuity (measured with players' regular distance correction) in 774 eyes ranged from 20/8.89 to 20/100. Near stereoacuity ranged from 23 to 37 seconds of arc, mean untimed distance contour stereoacuity from 55 to 35 seconds of arc, and mean untimed distance random dot stereoacuity from 98 to 76 seconds of arc. The results under timed conditions were 86 to 65 seconds of arc (timed distance contour stereoacuity) and 104 to 83 seconds of arc (timed distance random dot stereoacuity). Statistically significant differences were found between major and minor league players on tests of untimed distance contour and random dot stereopsis, and on contrast sensitivity testing with the 3.0- and 6.0-cpd gratings using the Contrast Sensitivity Viewer. CONCLUSIONS: Professional baseball players have excellent visual skills. Mean visual acuity, distance stereoacuity, and contrast sensitivity are significantly better than those of the general population.

Baseball↗
PubMed2001

Shoulder joint movement of the non-throwing arm during baseball pitch--comparison between skilled and unskilled pitchers.

The shoulder of a non-throwing arm during a baseball pitch must be in a constant position while the shoulder of the throwing arm moves in a nearly circular path around it. However, it has not been investigated whether a skilled pitch requires less shoulder-joint movement. It was hypothesized that pitchers with less shoulder movement of the non-throwing arm can be considered to have higher skill and to attain higher initial ball velocity. Nine baseball pitchers were used as subjects. The coach classified them into a skilled and an unskilled group. The pitching motions were recorded using two high-speed cameras. The time series of three-dimensional landmark coordinates of the shoulder joint of the non-throwing arm during the baseball pitch were calculated using the direct linear transformation method. The shoulder-joint movement (SJM) index, which expresses the movement (displacement) of the shoulder joint of the non-throwing arm quantitatively, was proposed to compare the SJM at different skill levels and investigate the relationship between SJM and initial ball velocity. The SJM of the skilled pitchers was smaller than that of the unskilled pitchers, and the smaller value of the SJM led to faster initial ball velocity. The data suggest that the less SJM of the non-throwing arm is required to attain a skilled pitch and higher initial ball velocity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Left ventricular filling profiles and angiotensin system activity in elite baseball players.

UNLABELLED: Left ventricular (LV) filling profiles in elite baseball players has not been reported in the literature. Also, angiotensin system activity in athletes has never been reported. We used echocardiography to compare 20 male elite baseball players (aged 21.9+/-1.0 years) with those of age- and sex-matched healthy sedentary subjects. Compared with the normal group, the athlete group showed a significant increase in LV mass, LV diastolic and systolic dimension, and left atrial dimension (P<0.05, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). No differences in relative wall thickness or fractional shortening were found between these two groups. Diastolic filling profiles, including peak early diastolic filling velocity (E), peak late diastolic filling velocity (A), E:A ratio, early time-velocity integral (Ei), atrial time-velocity integral (Ai), Ei:Ai ratio, early filling time, deceleration time of early filling, and isovolumic relaxation time, were similar in both groups. Angiotensin system activity, including plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, and 24-h urinary aldosterone excretion, showed no difference between these two groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that normal LV filling profile, which is mediated partly by normal angiotensin system activity, is not related to increase in LV dimension and mass in elite baseball players.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Conservative treatment of isolated posterior cruciate ligament injury in professional baseball players: a report of two cases.

Conservative treatment is currently recommended for most isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries in athletes. However, it is not known whether conservative treatment is applicable even in high performance athletes with isolated PCL injury. The results in two extremely high performance athletes, professional baseball players with isolated acute PCL injury treated conservatively are reported. A catcher and an out fielder, who were regular players, hurt their knees in baseball games. Magnetic resonance images of the knee detected complete PCL rupture. Following a carefully guided physical therapy program, a 3-week period of immobilization of the knee in full extension was achieved with a knee brace, while performing hard quadriceps muscle strengthening exercise, and then running exercise was started. Six to eight weeks after injury, they were able to return fully to their original sporting activity despite tibial posterior translation on posterior drawer test, and to sustain this activity over 2 years. Switching of weight-bearing to non-weight-bearing in a deep knee flexion is considered to contribute to subjective instability in athletes with PCL-deficiency. Probably because our cases, even though extremely high performance athletes were infrequently subjected to such a situation while playing baseball, they were able to return to their pre-injury level of athletic performance without severe subjective instability through conservative treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The use of arthroscopic thermal capsulorrhaphy to treat internal impingement in baseball players.

PURPOSE: To determine if reducing glenohumeral translation by arthroscopic thermal shrinkage would improve the results of arthroscopic treatment of internal impingement in baseball players. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective review. INTRODUCTION: Traditional treatment of internal impingement does not address the pathophysiology. Baseball players' shoulders routinely have glenohumeral laxity. Addressing this laxity by thermal capsulorrhaphy may improve the results in the treatment of these patients. Traditional treatment of labral and rotator cuff debridement and/or repair has had marginal results in regard to the most important criterion, return to competition. METHODS: Charts of all patients undergoing surgical arthroscopy of the shoulder for suspected internal impingement were analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: traditional treatment (non-heat-probe group, NHP, n = 51) or traditional treatment plus thermal capsulorrhaphy (heat-probe group, HP, n = 31). Internal impingement was confirmed by physical examination and arthroscopic criteria. All participants were baseball players and follow-up was 30 months. Data were analyzed for initial return to play and continued participation 30 months after surgery. RESULTS: Mean time for return to competition was 7.2 months in the NHP group and 8.4 months in the HP group; 80% of the NHP group returned to competition compared with 93% of the HP group. At 30 months after surgery, 67% of the NHP group was back to competition compared with 90% of the HP group (P =.01). The HP group averaged 7 degrees less external rotation than before surgery. There were no significant complications in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal capsular shrinkage can be safely used in the treatment of internal impingement in the throwing athlete.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between throwing mechanics and elbow valgus in professional baseball pitchers.

Valgus elbow stress leads to medial tension and lateral compression injuries in baseball pitchers of all ages. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between elbow stress in professional baseball pitchers and the kinematic parameters of pitching mechanics. This was done in an attempt to understand valgus extension overload better and in an effort to improve preventive and rehabilitative protocols. High-speed video data were collected on 40 professional pitchers in game situations during the 1998 and 1999 Cactus League season in Arizona, as part of Major League Baseball Spring Training. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to relate elbow valgus to kinematic parameters of pitching mechanics. The resulting analysis produced an adjusted multiple R2 value of 0.974, indicating that nearly 100% of the variance in valgus stress on the elbow was explained by the parameters in the regression equation. This ability to explain over 97% of the variance in valgus stress is significant. The parameters of pitching mechanics related to elbow valgus may be assessed and optimized, if necessary, in order to decrease the magnitude of elbow stress in pitching.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Batting last as a home advantage factor in men's NCAA tournament baseball.

In baseball and softball, there is a rule that allows the home team to have the last at-bat and thus the final opportunity to win the game. However, in tournament play, this rule is often set aside and, instead, batting order is decided by other means (e.g. tournament rules, the flip of a coin). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the batting last rule on game outcome in NCAA men's regional tournament baseball. It was hypothesized that host (i.e. home) teams would win a greater percentage of the games in which they batted last compared with when they batted first. This hypothesis was not supported. Closer examination of the last inning of play showed home teams were no more likely to have won the game during their last bat than visitors playing other visitors. The results suggest that the batting last rule contributes minimally, if at all, to home advantage in NCAA tournament baseball.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Influence of a baseball glove on the nature of errors produced in simple one-hand catching.

The influence of a baseball glove on the positioning and grasping components of one-hand catching was studied under both vision impaired and unimpaired conditions. Skilled softball and baseball players (N = 20) caught tennis balls barehand and softballs with a fielder's glove. In half of the trials, a screen positioned alongside the subject's head blocked vision of the catching hand. All trials were videotaped and errors were categorized by type (position or grasp). Results indicated that with the glove performance was essentially perfect, regardless of the screen condition. Barehand grasping performance, however, was affected by the subject's inability to see his hand to a much greater extent than barehand positioning. We argue that the baseball glove functions to reduce both the positioning accuracy requirements and the grasp timing requirements in simple catching. Peripheral vision of the limb, however, is necessary for controlling the barehand grasp phase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Knowledge representation and problem solution in expert and novice youth baseball players.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in knowledge representation and problem solutions in expert and novice youth baseball players. Ninety-four players in two age divisions, 7-8 years of age and 9-10 years of age, were assigned to three levels of expertise: high; average; and low skilled. Each subject participated in an interview session to elicit knowledge representation and solutions to five different defensive game situations. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for content, solution to the problem, errors in problem solution, and qualitative trends. The frequency of advanced solutions to each of the five situations were analyzed in separate chi-square tests for age and expertise. Differences among the levels of expertise were found for the accuracy of solutions to three complex situations. Age was significant for only one situation. Patterns of knowledge content accessed during advanced and less advanced responses indicated both experts and novices were in a beginning stage of developing baseball knowledge structures. Errors in problem solutions indicated children had difficulty monitoring critical conditions and making correct inferences. Players' and teammates' ability to execute baseball skills seemed to influence the content and structure of tactical knowledge accessed during problem solution.

Age Factors↗