America’s Pastime: The Art of Pitching and Optimal Intensity

The purpose of this thesis was to use the inverted-U theory to explore similarities and differences in optimal intensity among baseball pitchers and provide them recommendations on how to manage their intensity. Controlling for the task and environment, data was collected through interviews to explore how the individual (i.e., the person) influences the optimal level of arousal needed for peak performance. Interviews were conducted with three collegiate baseball players. Interview questions focused on the athletes describing their own perceived optimal intensity for performance. The interviews were analyzed for each individual athlete and those results were then compared across athletes to find similarities and differences. Additionally, a short infographic was made that provides some recommendations on how to manage their optimal intensity. If used correctly, the pitchers can achieve an ideal optimal intensity that can help them maintain a high level of performance.