Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine if the factors of eye dominance, reaction time, and response time are predictive of hitting performance. A second purpose of this was to determine if there is a difference in reaction time and response time between crossed-dominant hitters and unilateral hitters. The participants of the study were Emporia State University varsity baseball players (N=1 1) ages 18-23, who were members of the 1993 and 1994 teams. The participants were tested for reaction time using a Lafayette reaction time switchboard and for response time using a ruler drop test. Hitting performance was assessed using on-base average, batting average, and strikeout-to-walk percentage. Participants were also tested for eye dominance using two valid tests. A multiple regression was used to determine if eye dominance, reaction time, and response time could predict hitting performance. At-test was used to determine if there was a difference in reaction time and response time between crossed-dominant and unilateral hitters. All data were analyzed at the p<.05level of significance. No significant results were found.
