Comparison of the “Tall and Fall” Versus “Drop and Drive” Pitching Styles: Analysis of Major League Baseball Pitchers During a Single Season

Beaudry, Mary Beth; Beaudry, Anna G.; Bradley, James P.; Haynes, David E.; Holland, Glenn E.; Edwards, Audrene; Baker, Brent A.; Jacobson, Bradley R.; Chetlin, Robert D.

doi:10.1177/23259671231173691

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine

2023

DOI: 10.1177/23259671231173691

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Comparison of the “Tall and Fall” Versus “Drop and Drive” Pitching Styles: Analysis of Major League Baseball Pitchers During a Single Season

Mary Beth Beaudry

Anna G. Beaudry

James P. Bradley

et al.

Abstract: Background: Previous research has documented the proportion of “tall and fall” (TF) and “drop and drive” (DD) pitching styles among Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers who underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR). The proportion of these 2 styles among all MLB pitchers remains unknown. Purpose: To determine the proportion of the TF and DD pitching styles in all rostered MLB pitchers during a single season as well as the proportion of TF and DD pitchers who sustained an upper extremity (UE) in… Show more

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2024

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Cited by 3 publications

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Tall and Fall Versus Drop and Drive Strategy in College Baseball Pitchers for Velocity and Elbow Valgus Torque

Giordano,

Nebel,

Fava

et al. 2024

Am J Sports Med

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Background: Depending on anthropometrics and coaching style, pitchers are taught to pitch with a stride strategy that are traditionally classified as “tall and fall” or “drop and drive” for the purpose of maximizing pitch velocity. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of stride strategy (tall and fall vs drop and drive) in college baseball pitching on pitch velocity and elbow valgus torque. It was hypothesized that pitch velocity and elbow valgus torque would increase as pitchers aligned more with the tall and fall technique. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Markerless motion capture data were recorded on 64 collegiate pitchers (height, 1.89 ± 0.06 m; weight, 93.06 ± 9.44 kg) during game play at the host institution during the 2023 season. Peak magnitudes of body center of mass (COM) vertical displacement were determined using a straight-line trajectory between peak knee height and lead foot contact and used as a continuous variable. Pitchers were required to throw ≥4 fastballs during their outing to be included in the analysis. Multilevel modeling was used to determine associations between peak magnitudes of positive and negative vertical displacement of COM on pitch velocity and elbow valgus torque. Every fastball throughout the season with biomechanics data for each pitcher was included in the multilevel model. Results: Fastball velocity was mean ± SD 90.68 ± 2.90 mph (40.54 ± 1.29 m/s). Mean maximal negative vertical COM displacement was −0.91 ± 0.47 inches (−0.023 ± 0.012 m), which occurred 18.1% ± 5.75% of the way between peak knee height and stride foot contact. Mean maximal positive vertical COM displacement was 1.73 ± 1.14 inches (0.044 ± 0.029 m), which occurred 65.7% ± 7.8% of the time from peak knee height to stride foot contact. Positive COM displacement (β = 0.54; P < .001) and timing of peak positive COM displacement (β = 1.82; P = .023) reduced interpitcher variance by 9.9% and improved the ability of our model to predict fastball velocity. Negative COM displacement improved the ability of our model to predict ball velocity (β = −0.45; P = .021). Vertical COM displacement did not influence elbow valgus torque. Conclusion: Increasing vertical COM displacement in either the positive or the negative direction resulted in increased fastball velocity but did not result in greater elbow valgus torque. This indicates that the stride method may be used for performance enhancement but is unlikely to influence ulnar collateral ligament injury risk in college baseball pitchers. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should not use stride mechanics as an injury risk indicator or diagnostic factor in injury etiology for college baseball pitchers.

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Tall and Fall Versus Drop and Drive Strategy in College Baseball Pitchers for Velocity and Elbow Valgus Torque

Giordano,

Nebel,

Fava

et al. 2024

Am J Sports Med

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Association of the Universal Designated Hitter Rule With Changes to Injuries in Major League Baseball Pitchers

Kholodovsky,

Luxenburg,

Hodgens

et al. 2024

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine

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Background: In 2022, Major League Baseball (MLB) implemented the universal designated hitter (DH) rule, thus allowing the pitcher to focus solely on defense while the DH, who bats for the pitcher, focuses solely on offense. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of our study was to determine if implementation of the universal DH rule affected the incidence of injuries in MLB pitchers when compared with before implementation. It was hypothesized that the shift to the universal DH rule would be associated with a decrease in the rate of offense-related pitcher injuries. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Using publicly available data, we identified injuries sustained by MLB pitchers during the 2021 (before the DH rule change) and 2022 (after the rule change) regular seasons. Pitchers placed on the injured list for non–gameplay related reasons were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed with the chi-square and independent t tests. Results: The injury incidence rate decreased significantly from before to after the rule change for MLB pitchers overall (from 6.58 to 5.60 injuries/1000 athlete game-exposures [AGE]; P = .02) and for National League pitchers (from 7.62 to 6.26 injuries/1000 AGE; P = .04). No significant changes were seen in American League pitchers ( P = .20). Injury locations that decreased from before to after the rule change were the thigh (from 0.52 to 0.21 injuries/1000 AGE; P = .003) and the hand/finger/wrist (from 0.63 to 0.30 injuries/1000 AGE; P = .01). Total time lost decreased from 9471 days before the rule change to 8857 days after the rule change ( P = .00001). Conclusion: Implementation of the universal DH rule was associated with a decrease in pitcher injuries overall and within the National League. Injuries to the thigh and hand/finger/wrist also decreased overall and within the National League. Furthermore, total days lost decreased from before to after the rule change. These findings may be due to the elimination of offensive gameplay requirements for pitchers, which highlights a positive consequence of the universal DH rule, but further studies are needed.

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Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Overhead Athletes: Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Outcomes

Marcaccio,

Arner,

Bradley

2024

J Am Acad Orthop Surg

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Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are a common source of pain and disability in overhead and throwing athletes. The prolonged nature of healing often results in notable time lost from competitive sports regardless of the definitive management strategy. A thorough history and physical examination are critical in the diagnosis of UCL injury and understanding patient goals and expectations. In carefully selected patients, nonsurgical management, including rest and slow progression back to activities, can result in successful return to sport. Recent literature has suggested that administration of platelet-rich plasma may be effective in aiding in the healing process, particularly in proximal and partial-thickness tears; however, additional study is warranted. UCL reconstruction has been the benchmark for tears not amendable to nonsurgical treatment, with flexor-pronator complex preservation being important. UCL repair has historically been most commonly used in partial avulsions, but indications have yet to be completely well defined. Knowledge regarding appropriate UCL treatment continues to evolve with patient-specific treatment being essential.

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Comparison of the “Tall and Fall” Versus “Drop and Drive” Pitching Styles: Analysis of Major League Baseball Pitchers During a Single Season

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

Tall and Fall Versus Drop and Drive Strategy in College Baseball Pitchers for Velocity and Elbow Valgus Torque

Tall and Fall Versus Drop and Drive Strategy in College Baseball Pitchers for Velocity and Elbow Valgus Torque

Association of the Universal Designated Hitter Rule With Changes to Injuries in Major League Baseball Pitchers

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Overhead Athletes: Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Outcomes

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