The effects of crossed-dominant vision, reaction time and response time on hitting performance in baseball.

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.