The Impact Of Sports Performance Variables On Game Statistics In NCAA DII Baseball Players

At the highest levels in baseball, Professional and NCAA Division I universities alike, sport performance variables such as bat velocity (BV) and batted ball velocity (BBV) along with game statistics (GS) such as batting average (BA) and slugging percentage (SP) are well documented. At the Division II or III level, the same information can be limited based on the lack of access to similar resources and technology. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sport performance variables and game statistics in Division II baseball players. METHODS: Eight Division II baseball athletes (age: 20.25 ± 1.56 years, height: 71.38 ± 2.45 inches, mass: 183.28 ± 22.19 pounds) participated in the study. Participants were tested on BV and BBV before the season began, with offensive statistics being collected throughout the season. Correlations were then run between BA and BV, BA and BBV, SP and BV, SP and BBV, Age and BV, and Age and BBV. Spearman and Pearson Correlations were used for data analysis. RESULTS: BA and BBV had a significant negative correlation (r = -0.81, p = 0.01). SP and BBV were found to have a negative trend (r = -0.67, p = 0.07). SP and BV were found to have a strong negative correlation (r = -.60, p = 0.12). BA and BV were found to be moderately negatively correlated, (r = -0.52, p = 0.18). There was a strong positive correlation between Age and BBV, (r = 0.61, p = 0.11). Age and BV were found to be moderately correlated (r = 0.42, p = .30). CONCLUSION: There was a statistical significance between BA and BBV. Other variables such as age and SP should also be closely examined when studying the relationship between BBV and performance measures. Thus, when evaluating baseball athletes, sport performance variables should be considered. SIGNIFICANCE/NOVELTY: This study found that measures such as BV or BBV can provide some value to predicting offensive baseball success in future seasons.