In the movie Bull Durham, frustrated manager Joe Riggins stresses to his team, "This is a simple game. You throw the ball. You hit the ball. You catch the ball." This simplification works well for biomechanists too, as sports can be broken down into specific physical tasks like throwing, hitting, catching, and running. There have been significant advances in understanding some actions, but not others. In the first ten years of the journal Sports Biomechanics, only 18 of 236 articles were about hitting a ball. This scarcity is startling considering that according to USA Today (May 20, 2005), three of the five hardest things to do in sports involve hitting a ball (#1: baseball batting, #4: golf tee shot, and #5: tennis serve return). This book provides the latest biomechanical research in the under-studied field of hitting a ball. The biomechanics of baseball, cricket, hockey, hurling, softball, table tennis, and tennis are all examined. The chapters are written in a style that will both satisfy the high standards of biomechanists and provide information for instructors and athletes to improve performance. This book is based on a special issue of Sports Biomechanics.

Since the beginning of organized baseball there has been a great deal of material written on the extremely difficult skill of hitting a baseball. Hall of Fame players and former Major League hitting coaches have produced much of this literature, sharing decades of experience from the baseball "trenches" with those who aspire to follow in their profession. However, despite the thousands of publications written over the last hundred years, little information is available on the correct and essential body mechanics required to achieve success at the highest levels of baseball. Biomechanics is the science of measuring and describing human body movement. The purpose of this book is to define the "art" of hitting a baseball using knowledge gained from the science of biomechanical analysis.In 1986 Bio Kinetics Research & Development began conducting biomechanical research to better understand the body mechanics of the best hitters in the game of baseball, captured during live Major League competition. This book addresses the results of those three dimensional analyses that Bio Kinetics performed on hundreds of Major League hitters over the course of three decades. It is important to note that the information presented is NOT based on any past or present hitting theories or a simple two dimensional observation (such as with video or still images), as is the case with almost all prior publications. To the best of our knowledge, the scope and depth of this work is unique, and no other organization currently has both the process and the expertise employed by Bio Kinetics Research & Development. So, how have we accomplished this? The process starts with data capture. Multiple synchronized high speed and high resolution video cameras are used to record hitters in actual game situations. Next, the multiple two dimensional motion sequences are digitized and converted into a single computerized three dimensional motion sequence. Finally, the laws of physics, along with knowledge of exercise physiology and motor learning, are applied to yield an in-depth understanding of the essential patterns of movement, balance and muscular exertion required to successfully hit a major league pitch. It is the science of biomechanics, not simple observation that provides the irrefutable data presented in this book. Under the title of "Pitch Out" various detailed experiences of this 30 year venture are told in each section. The author is well aware of the various "schools of thought" on the correct understanding of hitting mechanics, each with its attending army of vocal proponents and equally vocal opponents! The intention of this publication is neither to praise nor attack prevailing hitting theory, nor to discount anyone's contribution to the science of hitting. It is important to remember that the evolution of knowledge and understanding of the baseball swing began more than one hundred years ago and many have made positive contributions along the way. Our research, and this book are simply the next step on the path. Three dimensional motion analyses, captured from live competition and compiled over three decades, provides solid evidence of what REALLY happens in the baseball swing, while exposing a tremendous amount of misinformation about the mechanics of hitting as well. This book separates fact from fiction and style from absolute efficient mechanics by presenting cutting edge objective information from those analyses.While the focus of this book is what the best hitters in baseball do, biomechanically, it is important to point out that hitting a baseball is more than simply a mechanical skill. Although often affected by mechanics, the mental, perceptual, and reactional components of this skill are discussed in chapters 9, 10 &11.

In the movie Bull Durham, frustrated manager Joe Riggins stresses to his team, "This is a simple game. You throw the ball. You hit the ball. You catch the ball." This simplification works well for biomechanists too, as sports can be broken down into specific physical tasks like throwing, hitting, catching, and running. There have been significant advances in understanding some actions, but not others. In the first ten years of the journal Sports Biomechanics, only 18 of 236 articles were about hitting a ball. This scarcity is startling considering that according to USA Today (May 20, 2005), three of the five hardest things to do in sports involve hitting a ball (#1: baseball batting, #4: golf tee shot, and #5: tennis serve return). This book provides the latest biomechanical research in the under-studied field of hitting a ball. The biomechanics of baseball, cricket, hockey, hurling, softball, table tennis, and tennis are all examined. The chapters are written in a style that will both satisfy the high standards of biomechanists and provide information for instructors and athletes to improve performance. This book is based on a special issue of Sports Biomechanics.

"Ted Williams once famously remarked, 'Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports'... Jaime Cevallos has made it his life's mission to conquer the unconquerable." - "Fort Worth Star-Telegram" Discover the hitting secret that is changing baseball careers. "Positional Hitting" offers a few simple steps to hitting with more power and consistency than ever before. The best hitters in the world make it look so easy, and the secret lies in the positions they achieve through the swing. With a camcorder and "Positional Hitting," you can hit like you've always dreamed, in very little time. And be prepared, your teammates will likely ask, "What has gotten into you?" "Positional Hitting" will open your eyes to a whole new world behind the baseball swing. You will learn: - How Jaime first discovered Positional Hitting in college and went from a .488 OPS to .989 in one year and earned an athletic scholarship, just by changing his swing positions - How amateurs and professionals are achieving eye-popping results using the Positional Hitting method - The hitting myths and misconceptions that are currently holding you back from hitting your best - How the positions you achieve through the swing directly correlate to your results on the field - How to analyze your swing on video using precise measurements - How to train your swing positions to achieve instant results "As a former Major League player and a youth coach for the past 13 years, I have seen hundreds of techniques and coaching systems. None of them have produced the results as quickly as what I have seen with Positional Hitting. Jaime has figured it out." - Pat Combs, former MLB player, Philadelphia Phillies "To see the difference between before I started working with Jaime in 2007 and the season after working with him in 2008, the numbers speak for themselves." -Drew Sutton, MLB player, Cincinnati Reds "Jaime is changing the way hitters analyze and train their swings - from the little leaguers all the way up to the pros." - Steve Moyer, President, Baseball Info Solutions "Jaime is way ahead of the game with his knowledge of hitting mechanics." - Ben Zobrist, MLB Player, Tampa Bay Rays

Fundamentals of Biomechanics introduces the exciting world of how human movement is created and how it can be improved. Teachers, coaches and physical therapists all use biomechanics to help people improve movement and decrease the risk of injury. The book presents a comprehensive review of the major concepts of biomechanics and summarizes them in nine principles of biomechanics. Fundamentals of Biomechanics concludes by showing how these principles can be used by movement professionals to improve human movement. Specific case studies are presented in physical education, coaching, strength and conditioning, and sports medicine.

Publisher's Note: Products purchased from 3rd Party sellers are not guaranteed by the Publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. Headed by the team physicians of the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox, Baseball Sports Medicine covers all aspects of this multi-faceted area, including injury prevention, management of injuries when they occur, rehabilitation protocols, and outcomes. It’s an ideal reference for all heath care providers who care for patients at all levels of the sport – from children and adolescents through the major leagues.

A guide for parents and baseball coaches that offers instructions on teaching players how to hit a baseball; includes information on selecting a bat, using the right pitch, avoiding the ten most common mistakes, and learning how to work with a team.