RESEARCH DESIGN- BBCOR VS. BESR

1. QUESTION Is there a difference with the exit velocity of a baseball coming off of a BBCOR or BESR certified aluminum baseball bat? BBCOR BESR

2. Introduction In 2011, the NCAA approved and implemented the use of BBCOR baseball bats In 2010, the NCAA was under BESR baseball bats Why is it important and why the changes? Reduce the exit speed of the baseball. Safety BBCOR bats perform more like a wood bat Speed up the game Prepare athletes better for the pros It has arguably changed the scope of baseball and how the game is played. Teams are now having to rely on bunting more to score runs, rather than relying on homeruns. It changes the way coaches coach and players react!

3. Operational Definitions Velocity : The rate of speed calculated in Miles Per Hour. Coefficient of Restitution/Trampoline Effect : The coefficient of restitution is a measure of the elasticity of the collision between ball and bat. Elasticity is a measure of how much bounce there is, or in other words, how much of the kinetic energy of the colliding objects before the collision remains as kinetic energy of the objects after the collision. Ball Exit Speed Velocity - Maximum exit velocity of a ball coming off of a bat after the point of contact. A brand new bat must not exceed an exit speed of 97 miles per hour.

4. Theoretical Hypothesis Ha: The exit velocity of a baseball coming off of a BESR certified bat will be higher than a ball exiting a BBCOR certified bat! Ho: There will be no significant difference in the exit velocity off of a BESR or BBCOR certified bat!

5. Variables Independent BESR Bats BBCOR Bats Dependent Exit velocity of a baseball coming off a BESR or BBCOR certified bat using a standard stationary hitting tee

6. Methods Participants 8 MSU-Billings University Baseball Players College aged Freshman-Seniors 18-24 year old males Randomly Assigned Trained Collegiate Baseball Athletes

7. Apparatus/Materials Stalker Radar Gun- Used to see velocity/speed of the baseball 5 Wilson A1001-Red Cushioned Cork Center: Premium Leather (Brand New Pearls) ATEC Tee- Standardized and Stationary Batting Cage/Net- Located in Lower Gym: MSU-Billings Campus 8 Participants

8. Procedures Participant- Parallel to the tee and perpendicular to the net. http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/baseball-hitting-instructional-videos-tee-drill/6d2a55979e1869998a216d2a55979e1869998a21-309014495480?q=baseball%20tee&FROM=LKVR5&GT1=LKVR5&FORM=LKVR34

9. Procedures Continued Participants randomly selected. 8 total participants Tee placed in front of net Each participant hit 5 Pearls with each bat KEY/Instruction: Hit the ball as hard as possible directly into the net and directly at the radar gun The exit velocity of the baseball was recorded after each swing in miles per hour.

10. Design True Experimental Design-Groups were randomly formed, and all subjects were equivalent at the beginning of the research. Randomized Groups R T O T-Test for Correlated Samples- Vassar Stats http://faculty.vassar.edu/lowry/VassarStats.html

11. Results F Value= 2.15 P Value=0.166999 DF (Degree of Freedom) between groups=7 DF 7 at the .05 level is=. 6664 16% Chance! SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE MUST REJECT NULL HYPOTHESIS

12. Threats to Validity History-Fatigue of Participants Health of each bat- Dents and overuse Health of Athletes- Rehab? Expectations of Athlete/Researcher

13. Conclusions No Significant Difference Accept Null Hypothesis Simulated Data