RELATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BASEBALL CATCHER POP TIMES: HIGH SCHOOL AND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL COMPARISON

Authors

  • Andrew C. Fry Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
  • John P. Wagle Department of Athletics, Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN, USA
  • Dimitrije Cabarkapa Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
  • Daniel Yu Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
  • Ivan Renteria Facultad de Deportes, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, BC, México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v9i1.4456

Keywords:

catching, velocity, sport science, performance, kinematic sequence

Abstract

Pop time (POP) is the measure of how long it takes a catcher to throw to 2nd base calculated from when the ball arrives in his mitt to when it arrives in the fielder’s glove at 2nd base. It has recently been suggested that greater emphasis should be placed on throwing velocity development instead of the ball exchange and throwing motion. The present study determined if the differences in POP characteristics between high school (HS) and Major League Baseball (MLB) catchers indicate a greater contribution from throwing velocity. HS catchers had slower POP characteristics in both exchange and throw phases. Exchange and throw times relative to pop times were nearly identical for HS and MLB, 36.6% and 36.0%, and 63.4% and 64.0%, respectively. The exchange phase exhibited the greatest variability and the most room for improvement. POP percent contribution from the exchange and throw phases between HS and MLB catchers did not change and their absolute values both improved equally. Therefore, it may be beneficial for coaches to design programs that not only strengthen the arm, but also develop efficient ball exchange and catcher throwing mechanics prior to ball release.

 

Article visualizations:

Hit counter

Author Biographies

  • Andrew C. Fry, Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Andrew C. Fry, PhD, CSCS*D, FNSCA*E is Professor and Director of Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory at the University of Kansas, USA.

  • John P. Wagle, Department of Athletics, Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN, USA

    John P. Wagle, PhD, MBA is Associate Athletic Director at the University of Notre Dame, USA.

  • Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Dimitrije Cabarkapa, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, USAW is Director of Basketball Research at Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory at the University of Kansas, USA.

  • Daniel Yu, Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Daniel Yu, MS is Sport Scientist at Orlando Magic.

  • Ivan Renteria, Facultad de Deportes, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, BC, México

    Ivan Renteria, PhD is Assistant Professor at the Autonomus University of Baja California, México.

References

Brady A, Caravan A, 2018. Breaking Down Catcher Pop Time. Accessed 24 July 2022. https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2018/10/catchers-voyage-towards-velocity/.

Plummer H, Oliver GD, 2013. Quantitative Analysis of Kinematics and Kinetics of Catchers Throwing to Second Base. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31(10):1108–1116.

Plummer H, Oliver, GD, 2015. Quantitative Analysis of Kinematics and Kinetics of Catchers Throwing to Second Base from Their Knees. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 29:107-112.

Scarborough DM, Colón PE, Linderman SE, Berkson EM, 2021a. Comparison of Kinematic Sequences During Curveball and Fastball Baseball Pitches. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3:e699251.

Scarborough DM, Linderman SE, Sanchez JE, Berkson EM. 2021b. Kinematic Sequence Classification and the Relationship to Pitching Limb Torques. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53(2):351–359.

Downloads

Published

2022-09-18

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

 

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

 

  1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

 

  1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).