The new science of bioball: Sensors and software protect baseball pitchers from injury

When St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks [below] takes to the mound, batters tremble. He has the same form as any other pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) as he throws the ball, but his results are extraordinary. In the windup, he steps back on one leg, lifting his other leg to raise his center of gravity. Then he strides forward, his hips swiveling, while his throwing arm extends back nearly parallel to the ground. As his arm comes forward, the muscles and ligaments in his elbow absorb over 100 newton meters of torque.