Visual and oculomotor abilities predict professional baseball batting performance

Abstract

Scientists and practitioners have long debated about the specific visual skills needed to excel at hitting a pitched baseball. This study aimed to advance the debate by evaluating the relationship between pre-season visual and oculomotor evaluations and pitch-by-pitch season performance data from professional baseball batters. Eye tracking, visual-motor, and optometric evaluations collected during spring training 2018 were obtained from 71 professional baseball players. Pitch-level data from Trackman 3D Doppler radar were obtained from these players during the subsequent season and used to generate batting propensity scores for swinging at pitches out of the strike zone (O-Swing), swinging at pitches in the strike zone (Z-Swing), and swinging at, but missing pitches in the strike zone (Z-Miss). Nested regression models were used to test which vision-related evaluation(s) could best predict the standardized plate discipline scores as well as the batters highest attained league levels during the season. Results indicated that visual evaluations relying on eye tracking (e.g., smooth pursuit accuracy and oculomotor processing speed) significantly predicted the highest attained league level and the propensity scores associated with O-Swing and Z-Swing, but not Z-Miss. These exploratory findings indicate that batters with superior visual and oculomotor abilities are generally more discerning at the plate. When combined with other known performance advantages in perceptual and cognitive abilities for elite athletes, these results provide a wholistic view of visual expertise in athletes.