ABF Pitching Research
American Baseball Foundation International Pitching Research Project
<<< Tokyo, Japan August 2009
Under the direction of ABF board member Michael J. Axe M.D. and in conjunction with the University of
Delaware and the First
State Orthopaedics, the
American Baseball
Foundation is conducting
a research study related
to youth pitchers.
The purpose of the study is to
compare data related to
throwing distances and
pitch speed for youth and adolescent pitchers between the ages of 8 and 14 to data derived from research in
the United States.
It is hypothesized that certain youth pitchers who display speeds and
distances well beyond the norm for the player’s chronological age
might be considered for special treatment related to their pitching use
on competitive teams. Up to this point there exists only data related to players who were born and who play in the United States. The ABF
collects data internationally so that comparison studies may be undertaken.
Philippines August 2009
Brazil 2007
Data Collection
Data is collected from subjects ages 8 to 14 years of age. Preferred subjects are those who have had experience pitching. In the case of players 8 years of age who have had no prior pitching experience, any player who has played the sport is eligible. Subjects are tested in two areas:
- a) throwing a baseball for distance. Subject is allowed a three-step crow hop—glove side foot, throwing side foot and glove side foot. The last step should land on or before the measuring line. Subjects are given 4 throws and the distance is measured for each one.
- b) Pitching a baseball to home plate from a mound. Subject is allowed to pitch five pitches to a catcher situated at home plate. The subject may use any pitching delivery form that he/she commonly uses in games. Each pitch is measured by a Jugs radar gun for its velocity leaving the hand of the pitcher.
Measurements are recorded. Subjects’ pitches are recorded from the normal distances and mound heights used in their competitive games.
Venezuela October 2008 
All data is sent to the central agency that compiles it and begins the
comparison studies. Results will be shared with each participating country.
