Timing of coincidence anticipation by NCAA division I softball athletes

After visual screening, 44 NCAA Division I softball athletes qualified to participate in this study conducted at the 1993 National Invitational Championship Tournament to assess anticipation of coincidence of these athletes. A full-swing batting motion was used to intercept a stimulus apparently moving at 45 or 70 mph, using the Bassin Anticipation Timer. Scores were recorded as early or late after each subject swung a standardized bat which interrupted a photoelectric beam when each of 20 randomly administered slow or fast simulated pitches was presented. Analyses of variance of AE, CE, and VE showed athletes swung significantly early on the 45-mph and late on the 70-mph simulated pitch speed. More specifically, less AE and CE error was recorded at the slow speed; athletes were more consistent (VE) in response to the fast speed. Results supported prior findings in which simulated-pitch speeds were similar to the present ones. Runway length, simulated-pitch speed, and the degree of swing simulation were suggested as variables to consider in similar investigations.