This week’s article, Oliver et al. (2021) compares arm stress for different pitch types in college pitchers. The researchers studied 27 NCAA Division I softball pitchers. Each pitcher threw three types of pitches: the fastball, curveball, and changeup. While pitching, special cameras and motion sensors tracked how their bodies moved. At the same time, computer models estimated the stress (or “loads”) on the shoulder and elbow joints. The goal was to compare how much force each pitch type placed on the arm. They found:
- The changeup put less stress on the shoulder than both the fastball and the curveball.
- The changeup also put less stress on the elbow than the fastball and the curveball.
- The fastball and curveball created the highest joint loads, meaning they made the arm work harder.
- Overall, the changeup was the easiest pitch on the arm, compared to the other two.
Implications: The authors explained that the lower joint loads from the changeup might make it a safer pitch for softball players, especially if used more often in games. Since overuse and high stress on the shoulder and elbow are linked to injuries, mixing in more changeups could help pitchers protect their arms. They emphasized the importance of teaching and encouraging pitchers to throw changeups—not just for performance, but also for long-term health. I don’t love this conclusion because they don’t put in context why pitchers don’t throw only change ups. Here is why I do the research I do: if you are talking about less arm stress, less injury etc. then it’s easy to draw a “throw more change ups” conclusion but if you want to perform better we have to understand how to create more force and friction on the ball WITHOUT putting more stress on the arm. Research always favors the aim of the study, which in this case is injury prevention.
More…
I was listening to the Patrick Jones Podcast this week and he was talking about how baseball catchers are evaluated by college and pro scouts. It was a great example of how there is a disconnect between what people think recruiters are after and what they are looking at. How should we evaluate pitchers? Ideas…
- Elite pitches: how many and how good are your elite pitches?
- Command: Can you throw strikes on both sides of the plate with your elite pitches?
- Velocity: 60 mph isn’t the standard anymore for P4 pitchers (2 of my players throw their change up over 60 mph). What is your true velocity and do you have projectable upside to gain more?
- Intangibles: How do you handle pressure situations? How do you (and your parents) treat coaches/teammates/other parents?
Let me know things you would add!
