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Collegiate Pitchers' Attitudes Toward Fastball Velocity and Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury Risk: A Cross-Sectional
Benjamin W King1, Evan P Bailey1, Jesse Seilern Und Aspang1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Collegiate pitchers prioritize fastball velocity for success, accepting higher ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury risk. Most pitchers believe velocity is crucial for competition and career advancement, despite awareness of associated risks.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Throwing velocity is a significant, debated risk factor for ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries.
- Collegiate pitchers' views on the importance of fastball velocity for success and its link to injury risk are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine collegiate pitchers' attitudes towards fastball velocity and its relationship with UCL injury risk.
- To test the hypothesis that pitchers value velocity highly and would accept increased UCL injury risk for greater velocity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing an anonymous online survey distributed to NCAA baseball pitchers.
- Survey included questions on demographics, injury history, perceived effectiveness, importance of velocity, and velocity-injury risk relationship.
- Data analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and chi-square tests for comparisons.
Main Results:
- Nearly 90% of 169 collegiate pitchers deemed velocity critical for in-game success, recruitment, and professional advancement.
- 67.6% acknowledged velocity's association with increased UCL injury risk, with pitchers willing to accept a 10% risk increase for 1 mph velocity gain.
- High-velocity pitchers were more likely to be in Division I, be starters, and perceive themselves as effective; those with UCL injury history favored earlier surgery.
Conclusions:
- Collegiate pitchers perceive fastball velocity as essential for competitive success and career progression.
- Pitchers acknowledge the velocity-UCL injury link but are often willing to accept higher injury risk for performance enhancement.
