Differences in physical characteristics in collegiate baseball players. A descriptive position by position analysis.

Physical characteristics including height, weight, body composition, and somatotype of NCAA Division II baseball players were evaluated to determine if differences in physical profiles exist by position at this level of competition. Differences in height, weight, lean body weight and somatoplots were found among various players. Pitchers were found to be taller that infielders and outfielders and displayed more endomorphy and less mesomorphy than the outfielders. Among the infielders, first basemen were taller than second basemen and third basemen while shortstops were found to be taller than second basemen. With respect to weight, first basemen and catchers were found to be heavier than second basemen. The second basemen had less lean body mass than all other infield groups. The data reveal more than a general description is warranted when describing the physical characteristics of baseball players at this level of play.