The windmill softball pitch: Optimal mechanics and pathomechanics of injury

Oliver G.D. (2010) The windmill softball pitch: Optimal mechanics and pathomechanics of injury.  Athletic Therapy Today, 15(6), 28-31.

Most articles written about softball mechanics actually start out with an emphasis on injury. Much of that is the necessity to try and avoid injury, which, in sports like baseball, were addressed through mechanics. And, grant agencies have justified the importance of the research as softball sees 27% more injury incidence than baseball (Powell and Barber-Foss, 2000). Although severe injuries are less common (Axe, Windley, & Snyder-Mackler, 2002), debilitating overuse injuries are common (Loosli, et al., 1992).

Effectiveness in muscle motor patterns have always been based upon the efficiency of energy transfer. Kibler (1995) generalized the efficiency of any upper extremity movement to have a 50-55% contribution of that energy from the lower extremity. As that seems closer to a guess than a conclusion, most wouldn’t argue the importance of the lower half to any athletic movement.

In order for the lower half to transfer energy, a stable middle is paramount. The pelvis has been deemed “the platform” for the scapula, which in turn has been labeled the platform for the arm (Houglum, 2005; Kibler, 1998; Oliver & Keeley, 2010). Just like any platform, political, theatrical, or biomechanical, stability is the key. Therefore, the muscles surrounding the pelvis and scapula have to be healthy, strong, and contract with the proper motor pattern. Understanding the entirety of the process of energy transfer in the softball pitch is still in progress, and, even though some studies have analyzed the kinetics and kinematics of the underhand throw, there is far less knowledge than there is for baseball pitching (Barrentine, et al., 1998; Guido, Werner, & Meister, 2009; Oliver, Plummer, & Keeley, 2010; Werner, et al., 2005; Werner, et al., 2006).

The author illustrated the phases of the pitch. I will be honest, I am not a fan of the breakdown. I am not sure if there is conflict between researchers, but this study was an attempt to veer from the established nomenclature of previous research. I am not sure that the attempt was viable to clear up any confusion. The first phase didn’t actually involve the full push off, and the 5^th phase didn’t involve a full follow through. I feel like it’s rather limited in it’s approach.

That being said, the author did note some important things. First, she noted that the length of the pitcher’s stride correlates with ball velocity (Guido, Werner, & Meister, 2009; Oliver, Plummer, & Keeley, 2010; Werner, et al., 2006), even though in her own study, she found contrary results (Oliver & Plummer, 2011). Second, she noted that, at the top of the backswing, which is approximately 12 o’clock, the humerus is externally rotated, noting the connection with “arm cocking” in baseball.

Third, closing on ball release, the author noted the “posting” position, where the gluteal group fires to extend the hip and stabilize the pelvis, noting that the hips then rotate with ball release. Also, the scapular muscles fire to stabilize, and as the arm internally rotates the bicep begins to fire. They also note that the posting shortens the follow-through and causes the pitcher to move away from the target.

This is the first article that I have reviewed that mentions the kinetic chain. In lay terms, the kinetic chain is a sequence of events that occur in the body, starting in the middle, to force the appendages to accelerate. Generally, in most athletic movements (except kicking), the legs go first, forcing the body to act like a rubber band of sorts, gathering energy and as the energy moves up the body, the legs then initiate the rapid deceleration as well.

Food for thought: How many of you are guilty of telling kids that he hands should lead the swing? Funny right? And then, if you don’t think that the bottom half rotation shouldn’t start the swing, find me video of an elite hitter than doesn’t do that. Better yet, find me video of any elite swinger (tennis, golf, baseball, cricket, hockey) that doesn’t start with the legs.

Happy thinking!