Caffeine is found in many commercial products, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, weight management supplements, and gels. Caffeine supplementation has been demonstrated in numerous studies to provide small to moderate benefits in sport and exercise performance. Improvements have been noted specifically in muscular strength and endurance, aerobic and anaerobic performance, and selected sport-specific movements such as jumping, sprinting, and throwing [1]. Recently, the International Society of Sport Nutrition published a position stand confirming these benefits [2]. While caffeine has been demonstrated to be beneficial across a number of sports, its effects on batting and pitching performance in softball have not been examined.

Numerous studies have detailed the benefits of caffeine supplementation to aerobic performance. A review by Graham and a meta-analysis by Wang et al. have detailed these benefits, as well as mechanisms, adverse effects, optimal prescription, etc. [3], [4]. Studies have shown that caffeine supplementation one hour prior to performance improves both running time to exhaustion when compared with placebo [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], as well as running time trial performance when compared with placebo [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25].

Caffeine has also been demonstrated to have benefits in anaerobic exercise. Green et al. showed a benefit from caffeine during the later sets of a resistance training session, as well as a possible blunting of pain responses [26]. Lara et al. found that a small dose of caffeine (3 mg·kg−1) improved both mean and peak cycling power in males and females during a modified 15-second version of the Wingate anaerobic test [27]. Further, a meta-analysis by Warren et al. concludes that caffeine supplementation improves maximal voluntary contraction strength and muscular endurance [28].

Regarding perceptual responses, Green et al. and Killen et al. demonstrated a reduced rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise with caffeine compared to placebo, while Killen et al. also showed a reduction in session RPE with caffeine supplementation compared to placebo [26], [29].

Sport-specific research on caffeine has also shown beneficial results. Poire et al. demonstrated that caffeine did not impair serve performance in tennis, and that it did have a beneficial effect on reducing fatigue [30]. Mumford et al. demonstrated improved driving distance in golf, as well as a better overall score [31]. Stuart et al. showed improved sprint time and accuracy tasks in rugby players [32]. Foskett et al. investigated the benefits of caffeine in soccer players and found improved sprint time and potential improved pass accuracy [33].

Despite the previous research published on caffeine's ergogenic benefits, there is no previous literature examining caffeine's effects on various components of softball performance. Softball is very similar to baseball, but the ball is larger and slightly softer, thus the ball does not travel as far when it is hit, so the field dimensions are smaller. There are both fast-pitch and slow-pitch versions of the sport. Fast-pitch softball is played competitively at the collegiate level and formerly at the Olympic level, while slow-pitch is considered more recreational. Softball was added as an Olympic sport in 1996, but it was removed from the Olympics in 2008. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a moderate dose of caffeine on bat speed, sprint speed, pitching velocity, pitching accuracy, and post-session perceptual responses in Division 1 (D-1) collegiate softball players. This research was conducted to determine if there is a significant performance benefit, and thus a possible competitive advantage, from consuming caffeine prior to performance. Our hypotheses were that bat speed, sprint speed, and pitching speed would improve, but that caffeine would compromise pitching accuracy.