Validation of the Home Run Metric Test for Baseball Batting Accuracy Measurement

This study aimed at validating the Home Run Metrics Test, a dynamic assessment tool designed to measure baseball batting accuracy in real-game scenarios. Traditional methods often need to pay more attention to key factors such as cognitive decision-making, reaction time, and adaptability, leading to incomplete evaluations of a batter’s skills. To address these limitations, the Home Run Metrics Test was designed to evaluate a range of abilities, including consistency, power, pitch recognition, and plate discipline. The study employed a psychometric research approach, comparing the test scores of varsity players and Physical Education students to establish known-group validity. Results showed a significant difference in batting accuracy between the groups, with varsity players outperforming PE students, confirming the test’s validity (Cohen’s d = 2.324). Reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha, initially calculated at 0.579 for five trials, and predicted to improve to 0.733 after extending the test to ten trials using the Spearman-Brown prophecy formula. This moderate internal consistency reflects the inherent variability in batting performance under real-game conditions. The Home Run Metrics Test offers practical applications for both teaching and research, providing educators with a comprehensive tool for assessing and developing student batting skills while offering researchers a validated instrument to explore the impact of various factors on batting accuracy. The findings underscore the importance of continued refinement of assessment tools to better capture the complexities of baseball batting in both educational and athletic contexts.