Effects of various anthropometric measurements on fastball velocity in professional relief pitchers.

Abstract

This research study was conducted to compare the height and weights of Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitchers to their average fastball velocity during the 2007 season. The purpose was to find what correlations may exist between each independent variableand the dependent variable. In essence, how well does height and weight predict average fastball velocity? The participants included qualifying MLB relief pitchers that finished in the top seventy-five of average fastball velocity. Data was collected from Baseball Info Solutions regarding height, weight, and fastball velocity and placed into IBM's SPSS statistical analysis software. The statistical technique used to analyze the data was multiple regression with a set wise progression. The overall model displayed no significant correlation (r value; 0.131, p value; .535) and also showed that the independent variables accounted for only 1.7% of the dependent variable's value (R2 = .017). The mean average fastball velocity was 93.256 mph while average heights and weights of the players were, 189.68cm, and 97.35kg, respectively. Results showed that there was no significant correlation between fastball velocity and weight (r value;0.132) or height (r value; 0.380). While there were no significant correlations found in the general anthropometric measurements used there may be other predictors present that can better account for average fastball velocity. Future research is needed to find these predictors and what affect they have on the ability to throw with a high velocity.