Field tests that predict performance in baseball

by Brett Holland, PT, DPT, CSCS

You can think of field tests like the physical fitness tests you used to take in gym class (sit-ups, bar hang, the dreaded sit and reach ugh!).  The difference is these tests are correlated with baseball performance variables (bat speed, throwing velocity) which makes them useful for getting baseline values.  They can be used pre-training program, intra-season, post-season, post-training program etc.  Basically any time you wish you assess improvement or establish a starting point.  Here is a rundown of current field tests and how they correlate to baseball performance:

Variables associated with bat speed:

Moderately high correlation with dominant hand grip strength [1]. (Grip strength is just a good indicator of total body strength, I wouldn’t advocate developing a training program centrally around grip strength.  Rather if you make good progress in total body strength, grip strength will improve.  You certainly can add specific grip exercises to your program. )

Moderate correlation with the following:

•  non-dominant grip strength[1]
• body mass [1]
• peak power [1]
• 1 arm DB row [1]
• lean body mass [1]
• parallel squat [1]
• static strength [2]
• rotational strength [2]
• rotational power [2]
• bench press power [3]

Low correlation with the following [1]:

• height
• body fat
• medicine ball side toss
• bench press (one study with moderate [3])

Variables associated with throwing velocity:

moderately high [4]:

• Lateral to medial jumps (think of this as a side-ways broad jump, coming set from the stretch and then jumping laterally as far as you can)
• Bodyweight
• Note these performance variables below were studied in sub-elite cricket players [5].  They are presented due to the lack of upper body variables studied in baseball players.  I feel they are still relevant and good to use as a general guidelines, especially internal rotation strength.
• Internal rotation strength (dominant shoulder)
• Medicine ball rotation throw
• Medicine ball chest pass distance

What to do with this information?

Note:  Correlation data must be interpreted with caution, use it as a general guideline.  With caution you can assume if you improve on some of the test parameters you will improve in baseball performance.

• Test yourself:  getting a baseline value tells you if you’re making improvements
• Re-test yourself:  helps you identify if your program is working.  Note whether your bat speed or throwing velocity has improved in addition to your test variables.

Interesting points:  Body mass is associated with both bat swing velocity and throwing velocity.  Bigger and stronger athletes tend to perform better.  It is surprising to see the low correlation with medicine ball toss, considering there are a few studies showing medicine ball rotational work improves baseball performance.  I personally like medicine ball tosses as both training tools and performance measures.  Lower body strength and power is definitely related to a certain extent to throwing velocity.  The more power and explosive strength you can generate from your rear leg the more velocity you’re going to create.

References

1.  Szymanski, DJ, EJ Beiser, KE Bassett, ME Till, and JM Szymanski. “Relationships Between Sports Performance Variables and Bat Swing Velocity of Collegiate Baseball Players.” Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (2011): n. pag. Web.
2. Spaniol, Frank, Jeff Paluseo, Randy Bonnette, Don Melrose, Liette Ocker, and David Szymanski. “The Relationship Between Static Strength, Rotational Strength, Rotational Power, Bat Speed, And Batted-Ball Velocity Of NCAA Division I Baseball Players.” Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (n.d.): n. pag. NSCA. Web.
3.  Miyaguchi, Kazuyoshi, and Shinich Demura. “Relationship Between Upper-Body Strength and Bat Swing Speed in High-School Baseball Players.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 26.7 (2012): 1786-791. Web.
4. Lehman, Graeme, Eric J. Drinkwater, and David G. Behm. “Correlation of Throwing Velocity to the Results of Lower-Body Field Tests in Male College Baseball Players.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 27.4 (2013): 902-08. Web.
5. Freeston, J., T. Carter, G. Whitaker, O. Nicholls, and K. Rooney. “Strength And Power Correlates Of Throwing Velocity In Sub-Elite Male Cricket Players.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2015): 1. Web.