analyzing fastpitch softball from the 2011 wcws alan m. nathan university of illinois
DESCRIPTION
Interesting Things to Study How do pitches differ from MLB? –Speed –Flight time –Release point and direction –Spin rate and axis –Movement Some obvious differences –Pitcher’s rubber is not raised –Rubber-to-home plate is 43 ft –Underhand naturally upward with topspin A pitcher’s repertoireTRANSCRIPT
Analyzing Fastpitch Softball from the 2011 WCWS
Alan M. NathanUniversity of Illinois
PITCHf/x @ WCWS
• Sportvision had usual setup for ESPN broadcast (K-Zone)
• Every pitch tracked– 3505 total– 14 of 15 games
• SV sent data upon my request– Thanks!
Interesting Things to Study• How do pitches differ from MLB?
– Speed– Flight time– Release point and direction– Spin rate and axis– Movement
• Some obvious differences– Pitcher’s rubber is not raised– Rubber-to-home plate is 43 ft– Underhand naturally upward with topspin
• A pitcher’s repertoire
Release Speed
Release Height Vertical Release Angle
Flight TimeRelease Speed Flight Time
Release Height
Release Speed Flight Time
Vertical Release AngleRelease Height
Release Speed Flight Time
“Drop”Height at home plate – Height at release
pfx_x = horizontal movement
pfx_z = vertical movement
Movement
Spin Rate and Axis
Spin Rate vs. Speed
Spin Rate vs. Axis
topspin
Henderson
Thomas
Dunne
Some Trajectories
Some Trajectories
• Same v0
• Note the “late break”
• pz differs by ~1 ft
side view
Some Trajectories
side view• Same v0
• pz differs by ~2 ft
Some Trajectories
side view
• Different v0
• px differs by ~1 ft
top view
…and in conclusion
• Lots of interesting data to look at and much to be learned
• I have done only cursory analysis thus far– a fun diversion from my usual activities
• These data ought to useful to softball players and their coaches
• NOTE: K-Zone also set up for CWS– the data might be interesting to analyze