Kinetic analysis of fingers during fastball and curveball pitches

This study aims to reveal the function of fingers during fastball (FB) and curveball (CB) pitches of a male adult who had played university baseball pitcher by conducting kinetic analysis on throwing motion with a link-segment model including finger segment. There was no apparent difference in the timing of peak finger joint angle between FB and CB pitches. Peak finger adduction torque in CB pitch occurred just before ball release. In addition, there was an apparent difference more than 30 ms in the timing of peak finger flexion and abduction torque between FB and CB pitches. Previous comparisons of kinematic data for shoulder and elbow revealed similarities between FB and CB pitches. These results suggest that skilled pitcher may minimize visible distinguishing characteristics among pitches and generate different amounts of ball spin at release among pitches adjusting the timing of peak finger torque.