Visual abilities distinguish pitchers from hitters in professional baseball

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the possibility that differences in sensorimotor abilities exist between hitters and pitchers in a large cohort of baseball players of varying levels of experience. Secondary data analysis was performed on 9 sensorimotor tasks comprising the Nike Sensory Station assessment battery. Bayesian hierarchical regression modelling was applied to test for differences between pitchers and hitters in data from 566 baseball players (112 high school, 85 college, 369 professional) collected at 20 testing centres. Explanatory variables including height, handedness, eye dominance, concussion history, and player position were modelled along with age curves using basis regression splines. Regression analyses revealed better performance for hitters relative to pitchers at the professional level in the visual clarity and depth perception tasks, but these differences did not exist at the high school or college levels. No significant differences were observed in the other 7 measures of sensorimotor capabilities included in the test battery, and no systematic biases were found between the testing centres. These findings, indicating that professional-level hitters have better visual acuity and depth perception than professional-level pitchers, affirm the notion that highly experienced athletes have differing perceptual skills. Findings are discussed in relation to deliberate practice theory.

KEYWORDS:

• Sensorimotor
• vision
• baseball
• expertise
• Bayesian modelling

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Yvonne Lu, Rajan Khanna, Nick Potter, Kim Detwiler, Rob Lynall, Liz Teel, and Jason Mihalik for participation in data collection and assistance with interpretation. We are also very grateful to Ian Muir, Herb Yoo, and Fred Gregory for their assistance in the implementation of this research project.

Disclosure statement

The authors do not have any commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in any device, equipment, instrument, or drug related to this article.

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by grant support to L.G.A. through the United States Army Research Office [W911NF-15-1-0390].