To make an accurate claim, you have to have the same pitchers throw with two and then three fingers on the ball, and then measure the speed for each. To compare pitcher A with two fingers to pitcher B with three fingers you've introduce a giant other set of variables.
Unfortunately, there are several problems with using the same pitcher too. Not the least of which is the hand size thing again. A pitcher who can't grip the ball well with two fingers probably won't throw as hard as if she uses three. In addition, as a general rule a girl with a larger hand will probably be bigger overall than a girl with a smaller hand.
Then there's comfort level. A pitcher who uses three fingers probably won't feel as secure or comfortable throwing with two, so that could skew the results. The same with a pitcher used to throwing with two now having to throw with three. Take the pitcher out of her comfort zone and she probably won't throw as hard.
Even if you can get past the first two, the final issue is sample size. You can't do it with two or three pitchers and call it evidence. Probably need to do it with more like 500 or 1,000 to ensure the scientific validity. That way you don't have such big gaps for body type, number of fast twitch muscles, strength and conditioning, etc. It probably wouldn't hurt to draw your sample group from college pitchers because presumably their overall motion is more mature/locked in. Maybe you want to find a range where they're all of similar ability rather than allowing a few elite players to throw off the curve.
Do all that and you can say conclusively whether two fingers is faster than three. Otherwise it's observation and speculation. Fun for a forum discussion but nothing to be taken as Gospel.
Unfortunately, there are several problems with using the same pitcher too. Not the least of which is the hand size thing again. A pitcher who can't grip the ball well with two fingers probably won't throw as hard as if she uses three. In addition, as a general rule a girl with a larger hand will probably be bigger overall than a girl with a smaller hand.
Then there's comfort level. A pitcher who uses three fingers probably won't feel as secure or comfortable throwing with two, so that could skew the results. The same with a pitcher used to throwing with two now having to throw with three. Take the pitcher out of her comfort zone and she probably won't throw as hard.
Even if you can get past the first two, the final issue is sample size. You can't do it with two or three pitchers and call it evidence. Probably need to do it with more like 500 or 1,000 to ensure the scientific validity. That way you don't have such big gaps for body type, number of fast twitch muscles, strength and conditioning, etc. It probably wouldn't hurt to draw your sample group from college pitchers because presumably their overall motion is more mature/locked in. Maybe you want to find a range where they're all of similar ability rather than allowing a few elite players to throw off the curve.
Do all that and you can say conclusively whether two fingers is faster than three. Otherwise it's observation and speculation. Fun for a forum discussion but nothing to be taken as Gospel.
