Scientific Proof – Medicine ball training alone won’t improve batting velocity for new players.

In baseball and softball it is important to increase sport-specific power. This may allow a hitter to swing the bat and hit a ball with greater velocity. To examine the effects of 8 weeks of medicine ball (MB) training on bat swing velocity and batted-ball velocity of novice, college-aged students. Sixty male and female kinesiology students were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 training groups. Group 1 was the control. Group 2 performed 5 rotational MB exercises for 1 set of 10 repetitions each (50 total MB throws per day) 3x/wk for 8 weeks (1200 total MB throws). Resistance began at 2 lb and increased by 2 lb each week until week 5 10 lb MB, then it decreased by 2 lb for the next 3 weeks. By week 8 the resistance was 4 lb. The protocol progressively became heavier in resistance in an attempt to increase force production, and then became progressively lighter to increase velocity of movement. Group 3 performed the same 5 rotational MB exercises for 2 sets of 10 repetitions each (100 total MB throws per day) 3x/wk for 8 weeks (2400 total MB throws). Instantaneous swing velocity and batted-ball velocity while hitting a ball off a batting tee. Dominant and non-dominant grip strength was measured. Rotational power was measured by a 2 lb Medicine Ball hitter’s throw and 6 lb MB side toss. Women also performed a 4 lb MB side toss since their mean body mass was significantly less than the men’s mean body mass. Leg power was measured. Instantaneous swing and batted-ball velocity did not statistically increase for any group after 8 weeks of MB training. MB side toss  and MB hitter’s throw significantly increased for all groups; however, there was no difference between groups. MB side toss performed by the women significantly increased for groups 2 and 3 after 8 weeks of training; however, there was no difference between the 2 groups. Although rotational power improved for all groups, there was no increase in swing velocity and batted-ball for novice college-aged, male and female novice participants after 8 weeks of training.

Since none of the novice, college-aged male and female students increased swing and batted-ball velocity, it is suggested that performing MB exercises that attempt to mimic bat swing mechanics do not provide the necessary bat swing skills to hit a ball off a batting tee. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals swing a standard baseball or softball bat to practice bat swing mechanics.

This shows that strength and conditioning coaches should have an objective of not only increasing strength but must be able to transfer the strength gain during training to skill execution of the player

Reference:

Szymanski, David; McHenry, Sean P; Blankenship, Todd M; Lowe, Hannah E; Mire, Kent R; Reed, Josh G; Stanley, Brynna E; Hsu, Hung-Sheng; Beam, Jason R. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 24():1, January 2010.