Objectives: This study examined the effects of use of light and standard ball throwing on pitching velocity, accuracy, power, and pitching movement among youth baseball playerh. Methods: Twenty four jouning high school players received pitching velocity test, and were divided into two groups based upon their pitching velocity. The first group undertook training with light ball (125g).throwing. The second group was trained under regular method with a standard baseball (145g).All groups trained 3 days a week for 10 weeks. Before and after training, subjects were randomly assigned into 2 groups and tested respectively. Group 1 do the throwing distance test with standard baseball and a 50g-ball. Group 2 do the pitching velocity and accuracy test in Bullpen: subjects threw 10 consecutive pitches at the bull's-eye, measured pitching velocity with radar gun, gathered accuracy of placement by camera shooting, and recorded pitching movement with high-speed camera (600Hz).Silicon Coach Motion Analysis System was used to analyze the maximum shoulder external rotation angle, wind-up speed and forward trunk tilt at ball releasing moment. Results: After training, the experimental group improved significantly (p<.05) in pitching velocity, and wind-up speed at ball releasing moment, but no improvement was observed for the control group. Discussion: The results suggested that use of light-weighted ball throwing can improve their pitching velocity and throwing distance.
Objectives: This study examined the effects of use of light and standard ball throwing on pitching velocity, accuracy, power, and pitching movement among youth baseball playerh. Methods: Twenty four jouning high school players received pitching velocity test, and were divided into two groups based upon their pitching velocity. The first group undertook training with light ball (125g).throwing. The second group was trained under regular method with a standard baseball (145g).All groups trained 3 days a week for 10 weeks. Before and after training, subjects were randomly assigned into 2 groups and tested respectively. Group 1 do the throwing distance test with standard baseball and a 50g-ball. Group 2 do the pitching velocity and accuracy test in Bullpen: subjects threw 10 consecutive pitches at the bull's-eye, measured pitching velocity with radar gun, gathered accuracy of placement by camera shooting, and recorded pitching movement with high-speed camera (600Hz).Silicon Coach Motion Analysis System was used to analyze the maximum shoulder external rotation angle, wind-up speed and forward trunk tilt at ball releasing moment. Results: After training, the experimental group improved significantly (p<.05) in pitching velocity, and wind-up speed at ball releasing moment, but no improvement was observed for the control group. Discussion: The results suggested that use of light-weighted ball throwing can improve their pitching velocity and throwing distance.