Effects of Bat Grip on Baseball Hitting Kinematics

Abstract

A motion system collected 120-Hz data from 14 baseball adult hitters using normal and choke-up bat grips. Six swings were digitized for each hitter, and temporal and kinematic parameters were calculated. Compared with a normal grip, the choke-up grip resulted in 1) less time during stride phase and swing; 2) the upper torso more opened at lead foot contact; 3) the pelvis more closed and less bat linear velocity at bat-ball contact; 4) less range of motion of the upper torso and pelvis during swing; 5) greater elbow flexion at lead foot contact; and 6) greater peak right elbow extension angular velocity. The decreased time during the stride phase when using a choke-up grip implies that hitters quicken their stride when they choke up. Less swing time duration and less upper torso and pelvis rotation range of motion using the choke-up grip supports the belief of many coaches and players that using a choke-up grip results in a "quicker" swing. However, the belief that using a choke-up grip leads to a faster moving bat was not supported by the results of this study.Escamilla is with the

An Exploratory Biomechanical Analysis of the Side-to-Side Swing Patterns of Three Skilled Switch Hitters

“…The first two events, lead foot off ground and lead foot contact with the ground were similar between the studies but Escamilla et al (2009aEscamilla et al ( & 2009b defined the third event in the swing as "hands started to move forward." The final event, bat-ball contact was also similar between the studies.…”

“…Since the 1990's, three kinematic hitting studies have been conducted and have served to describe and define the baseball swing (Welch et al, 1995;Escamilla et al, 2009aEscamilla et al, & 2009b. Welch et al (1995) investigated the swing mechanics through kinematic and kinetic measures.…”

“…Overall, results from this study provide insight into studying hitting parameters within and between individual batters. Escamilla et al (2009aEscamilla et al ( & 2009b conducted two kinematic analyses on baseball hitting kinematics. One study (Escamilla et al, 2009a) investigated age level and hitting kinematics, while the other study (Escamilla et al, 2009b) investigated the effects of bat grip on hitting kinematics.…”

“…Escamilla et al (2009aEscamilla et al ( & 2009b conducted two kinematic analyses on baseball hitting kinematics. One study (Escamilla et al, 2009a) investigated age level and hitting kinematics, while the other study (Escamilla et al, 2009b) investigated the effects of bat grip on hitting kinematics. Although the purpose of these studies is not of fundamental importance to the current study, the kinematic methodology and how the group defined the events and phases of the swing are significant.…”

“…Unlike Welch et al (1995), Escamilla et al (2009aEscamilla et al ( & 2009b defined the swing by four events and three phases. The first two events, lead foot off ground and lead foot contact with the ground were similar between the studies but Escamilla et al (2009aEscamilla et al ( & 2009b defined the third event in the swing as "hands started to move forward."…”