Bat Dynamics of Female Fast Pitch Softball Batters

Abstract

Eight female fast pitch Softball batters served in the examination of the dynamic characteristics of the bat during the swing. An analysis of three-dimensional linear and angular bat kinematic parameters led to the following results: (1) 200 msec to contact, slight rotation of the bat about its long axis and rapid bat movement away from the subject's anterior aspect ensued, (2) a rapid increase in bat velocity directed toward the pitched ball began 120 msec prior to contact, and (3) a slight downward movement occurred until 87 msec prior to contact, at which lime there was an increase in the upward bat velocity which continued until contact. Maximum resultant bat velocity (19.08 m·s⁻¹) and mean maximum kinetic energy (270.21 J) values were less than those reported for male baseball batters. The combination of decreased response lime, due to the shorter pitching distance, and the lower bat velocity suggests that there may be a difference between optimal baseball and softball batting techniques.

Key Words:

• batting
• biomechanics
• kinematics
• softball
• three-dimensional cinematography