Evaluation on hitting performance of baseball bats and their selection according to swing ability of a player

Abstract

In this study, a new technique has been proposed to quantitatively evaluate the hitting performance of baseball bats without affecting their initial pitching velocity; this technique is based on an earlier evaluation system developed to measure the same. The experiments conducted in this study were used to calculate two parameters, namely “hitting efficiency index” and “hitting velocity index,” to demonstrate the relation between the pitching and hitting velocity of the baseball bat and evaluate the bat's hitting performance. To evaluate the hitting performance, this method required fewer experiments than the previously developed method. Furthermore, on the basis of the calculations of these two parameters, the swinging ability of a baseball bat was found to be corresponded to the bat's moment of inertia. Using the parameters proposed in this method along with the pitching velocity, a player can estimate the hitting velocity of the bat when used in a match. Therefore, this method, when adopted, can help players choose baseball bats depending on their individual playing abilities.