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Reply to "Perceived Velocity"

Perceived velo is mostly about the hitters perception. Extension (stride length and release point) have a lot to do with it (it’s a ranked measurement for Savant https://baseballsavant.mlb.com...tcast-r-pitching-mlb) but how well a pitcher hides the ball and movement also have an impact.

My son throws what the old-timers call a heavy ball. There’s an optical illusion where the ball accelerates half way through its travel. It can’t really happen, but I think it’s how our mind does the physics - the ball should be there, oh shoot it’s actually much closer. The combination of ball appearing to speed up, and movement catching me in the lower palm ended our having a catch senior HS year (worried I’d catch one off the grill).

It’s pretty hard to get a feel for velo in the stands behind the plate, I find it easier from the side or at a distance. I still over estimate the guys with a lot of whip in their delivery.

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