Another Pitching Question...

The difference betwen out of hand and at the plate could be 6-7 MPH. The most accurate location is directly behind the plate. An offset to either side can result in a larger margin for error.

Ideally the gun should be in line with the flight of the ball, toward or away. A bit off doesn't matter.

From the Stalker manual- True 75 mph:
5 degrees off reads 74.7 mph
10 degrees off reads 73.9 mph
15 degrees off reads 72.4 mph

If you have to sit 10 degrees off line, adding one mhp to the reading will adjust to correct speed.

What if you are directly behind the plate (probably 45 feet) but sitting in a pressbox about 15 feet off the ground. Does that make a difference in the reading?

It doesn't matter whether the angle is off right/left or above. A good radar can pick up the ball right after it's thrown, so the angle isn't that much if the pitcher is 100 feet away. The ball would be released from his hand
6 to 7 feet off ground level. I'll guess the press box is only a few degrees above the release point.

At the end of the day does it matter whether the pitch is 88 or 89 MPH?

quote:

At the end of the day does it matter whether the pitch is 88 or 89 MPH?

Not much in HS or college. But in the majors each extra MPH probably adds a few million to lifetime earnings. One MPH can be significant.

micdsguy

Since this is a HS baseball site I am referring to HS pitchers--- all too often we elevate the talk to MLB comparisons--in most cases in our discussions they irrelevant, at least to my way of thinking.


I also respectfully disagree with your assessment concerning MLB pitchers---

Unfortunately micdsguy is correct. In a time where all that seems to matter to scouts is the radar gun, 90 m.p.h. is the mark to get you noticed unless you are a lefty. Right handers throwing in the upper 80's in college don't get too many looks. In high school hitting upper 80's with consistency will draw attention from colleges and maybe a couple of pro teams but 90 is the magic number.

Can anyone re-post Fungo's "why 90 is the perfect number" or something to that effect. -It's a Big Smile!

If getting drafted is the goal 90 may be the number. However, 86-89 is a very good number for college. We all know that height is also a factor with the speed.

When you look at Pro Baseball in general, the average speed is 88-92. Their are 100's of pitchers in that range in the Minors who will never see a 25 man roster. Last time I checked the majority of pitchers were under 90 as an average.

HS, as TR says, is not a comparison to MLB. A good 85-88 guy that throws strikes will always be needed in college. You will also see many in that range in the Minors.

Good Topic!

Strarzz,
I completely agree. I am not a fan of the radar gun. I believe in pitching..not throwing. Many of the best pitchers do not throw in the 90's. Many college programs have players that throw in the mid to upper 80's. That is often due to the fact that a high schooler throwing 90 will get drafted. Like I said, I look for movement, ability to locate, and velocity. Unfortunatly, there are many that are consumed by the latter.

hsballcoach

Welcome to the club-- I want pitchers not throwers because they get outs

Glad to have you aboard