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Pitching Machine vs Regular Pitching In Youth League Baseball Dr. Bragg Stockton of Houston, Texas, conducted a most revealing study comparing the effects of using a pitching machine versus the traditional pitcher for youth league baseball. This new design which he developed from this study is termed Pee Wee Optinal Program (P.O.P.). The objectives of this program were to increase the number of players participating in the game; to • accentuate the offensive phases of baseball;to increase defensive opportunities;and to generally create a climate of enthusiasm •fun. In order to meet these objectives, the following design was developed. An inning was not over until the last player on the squad had taken his turn at bat. : '`4+ 4'',' lit" ,t-9• A No bases-on-balls were allowed. �I' I'') ' 3. Players were alternated every other inning defensively. VI 44 4. The Pitching Machine was used in place of the pitcher. METHOD SUBJLCTS: tt r There were 14 players per team and the games were based upon a time limit of 11/2 hours. • PROCEDURE: The following procedures were followed: 1. An inning was not over until the last player on the squad had taken his turn at bat. 2. No base-on-balls were allowed. 3. The Pitching Machine was set at 48%of maximum speed at the start of the season and increased at a rate of 1%per game after the first two games ending at 62% of maximum speed. RESULTS: The following table represents the statistical results of the study: Pitching Machine I. TURNS AT PLATE: (P.O.P.) Regular Comparison a. Per game for both teams 73.7 46.6 27.1 h. Per player per game 2.7 1.6 1.1 2. HITS: a. Per game for both teams 28.7 9.0 19.7 b. Per player per game 1.0 0.3 0.7 c. Season League Average .389 .193 .196 3. BASES ON BALLS & HITS BY PITCHER: a. Per game for both teams 0 15.0 b. Per player per game 0 0.5 c. Season League percentage 0 .323 4. COMBINED TOTAL HITS, PLUS BASES-ON-BALLS AND HIT BY PITCHER 0Per game for both teams 28.7 24.0 4.7 Per player per game 1.0 0.8 0.2 IKE-OUTS: a. Per game for both teams 22.7 17.3 5.4 b. Per player per game 0.8 0.6 0.2 c. Season league percentage .308 .322 .014 6. DEFENSIVE PLAY OPPORTUNITIES: a. Per game for both teams 51.0 14.3 36.7 b. Per player per game 1.9 0.5 1.4 c. Season League percentage on fielding outs .303 .162 .141 It should be noted that under the P.O.P.,a player can be given one year experience it takes a player under the regular system the following years to accumulated. a. Innings played 1 9 b. Turns at plate 1.6 c. Times on base 1.6 d. Hits 3.2 e. Defensive play opportunities 3.6 CONCLUSIONS: By using a pitching machine in the youth baseball league program. The following conclusions were made from the results of this study: 1. The incident of arm problems would be reduced among youth league pitchers. 2. Emphasis is placed on aggresiveness with the bat, which in turn, would be more fun for the participants. 3. Because there was no base on balls, the P.O.P. leads to more fielding,throwing and catching opportunities which are the basis for sound defensive play. 4. A player will get more turns at bat (160%) with the pitching machine. 5. There were 320%as many hits and 3.3 times more hits per game per player with the pitching machine. 6.When using the pitching machine,the players get on base 1210/0as often as did players under the regular system and they reached base only by hits, not base on balls or hit batters. 7. The strike outs were higher in P.O.P. only because of the increase at bat and inings played. 8. There were 3.56 times as many fielding or defensive play opportunities when using the pitching machine. With the pitching machine program, the defense receive 356%as many chances and was 190%as successful as compared to the regular system. ISCUSSION: important to emphasize that two of the major arguments against the use of the Pitching Machine were completely invalid.(1)Number of times ted ball will hit the machine.(Braeburn statistics revealed that the machine was struck only 6 times all season,or once every 356 times at bat. en the machine was hit,the batter and all runners were awarded one base.(2)Development of pitchers(Braeburn statistics revealed that only 4 of the 30 pitchers in the Major League Division pitched in Pee Wee ball. Pitchers were developed in the Major and Minor League Programs. From the results of this study it can be concluded that Dr.Stockton achieved his objectives of the Pee Wee Optional Program by using a pitching machine for Youth League Baseball Programs.