Size of the visual field in collegiate fast-pitch softball players and nonathletes

The purpose of this study was to examine whether visual-field size differed between female Division I collegiate fast-pitch softball players and female college students who were nonathletes. The relationship between visual-field size and batting performance among the softball players was also examined. 24 female undergraduate students (12 varsity fast-pitch softball players and 12 nonathletes) participated. The size of the visual field was measured via manual kinetic perimetry, and batting performance was assessed using a batting-skill test as well as batting averages for an entire competitive season. Analyses indicated that the mean visual-field size of softball players was significantly larger than that of nonathletes. However, there was no relationship between visual-field size and batting performance among the softball players. Results are discussed with respect to the origin of the superiority of visual-field size of softball players.