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Comparison of kinematic manipulability in baseball hitting at different hitting points
Akio Morimoto1, Takahiko Sato2,3, Akinori Nagano4
1Graduate School of Sports and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan. sh0162fe@ed.ritsumei.ac.jp.
Scientific Reports
|November 25, 2025
Summary
Baseball batters can adjust their bat position more horizontally than vertically. This kinematic analysis shows greater horizontal bat manipulability for inside or low pitches, aiding hitting adjustments.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Baseball batters adjust bat position based on pitch location.
- Quantitative evaluation of bat manipulation ability is lacking.
- Understanding bat manipulability is crucial for hitting performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess bat manipulability during hitting at different ball locations.
- To analyze the three-dimensional bat motion using kinematic manipulability indices.
- To determine how pitch location affects the bat's range of motion.
Main Methods:
- Recorded 3D motion of 20 collegiate baseball players hitting stationary balls.
- Modeled the body as 10 connected rigid bodies with 21 degrees of freedom.
- Calculated kinematic manipulability indices from joint angles and segment lengths.
Main Results:
- Bat manipulability was greater horizontally for lower or inside pitch locations.
- Vertical component of kinematic manipulability showed no significant variation across hitting points.
- Horizontal bat adjustment capability exceeded vertical capability.
Conclusions:
- Baseball batters exhibit greater horizontal bat manipulability, especially for inside/low pitches.
- Vertical bat control appears relatively uniform regardless of pitch location.
- Findings suggest a biomechanical preference for horizontal bat adjustments in hitting.
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