2017, Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part B

The criterion measure was the average of the playing ability scores of the softball players assigned independently by three softball experts.

The specific skill tests were developed through objective methods. Data for this study was collected by administering tests initially on following skills with its two different variations for Overhead Throw tests. Two tests namely:

1. Overhand Throw for Accuracy

2. Overhand Throw on Target

Test-retest method was used to establish the reliability of the data (N=20). All subjects were given three trials administered by the same tester and inter class correlation of coefficients by analysis of variance method was employed to compute the reliability of specific skill tests. The reliability of the Overhand Throw for Accuracy (0.878) and for Overhand Throw on Target (0.870)

For assessing the scientific authenticity of the selected specific skill tests, validity of the specific skill tests were established by using Pearson’s product moment correlation, i.e. the test scores with the softball playing ability scores assigned independently by three softball experts. Inter class correlation coefficients by analysis of variance method was employed to compute the reliability and objectivity of the tests.

Validity of the selected specific skill tests were also found to be significant for, Overhand Throw for Accuracy (0.829), Overhand Throw on Target (0.665 ) Thus one specific skill test out of the two with higher validity values from each skill variation selected for Underhand pitching.

Further the differential validity was found when the scores of District, State and National level softball players were compared for each specific skill test separately for Overhand Throw for Accuracy and Overhand Throw on Target (F=98.31), were significant at 0.05 level.

Thus Least Significance Difference (L.S.D) test for Post-Hoc comparison resulted in Mean difference values greater than the critical difference values among District, State and National level players on each selected test.