Home to first base running times

There is something called SPARQ testing, which has a tables for results and percentiles. One of the tests is the 30 yard dash.

This is an example of SPARQ and how it's used by Oregon State baseball.

4.1 is fast

Son texted me yesterday that he was timed at 3.56 on a groundball to second and last week had a 3.55. He said it was a sharply hit liner that sank and one hopped straight at the second baseman but was a bang bang play at first. I think there are some guys who run a faster 60 but are not as fast to first because a lot of it involves how fast your first couple of steps are out of the box, especially lefthanded. 4.1 for a 2014 would be very fast especially for a right hander.

At 3.55, your son is faster than Willie Wilson ever was, whose best time ever recorded was a 3.6.

That is Carl Lewis fast. Deion Sanders was timed at 3.3 and Ichiro at 3.7.

Supposedly Mickey Mantle was timed at 3.1 but I don't know if I believe it. I know it sounds like I'm making it up but I was right next to a Texas Ranger scout when he got hit at 3.74 as a 17 year old. His select team coach that summer also got him at 3.7. Now at age 20, his college team times the players to first on every hit ball and the above mentioned times are what they have told him they were on a couple of ground balls. Last summer at a ML tryout camp he ran a 60 in the 6.3's. I really think his speed translates best on the shorter distance as he is going full speed in a step or two.

Three Bagger,

Sometimes it is hard to believe when someone is among the very best at something. Then again, someone has to be among the very best. Sounds like your son might be one of them.

Personally, I have never timed a runner in under 3.7. Maybe on a drag bunt, but not on a full swing. I think Mantle's 3.1 was on a drag bunt. That is still amazing if it really happened.

One thing about H-1 times... A stopwatch in the wrong hands can come up with some strange numbers. Not saying that is the case at your son's college.

It does sound like your son is an "8" runner. Best of luck to him!

For some perspective on home to first times, here is an article ESPN did a few years ago. These were among the fastest players in the Major Leagues.

Kind of an interesting article that mentions a lot of H-1 times of several of the fastest players.

Who's the Fastest?

quote:

Originally posted by Proud Dad 24:
I have always read that the 60 yard dash is an important measurable in the eyes of college baseball coaches and their recruiters. It seems that running 6.9 (or less)is critical for D1 positional players. What about home to first?

2014 was timed at 4.1 at HS tryouts and I am trying to get an idea of how that is perceived from a speed perspective and what that might correlate to in a 60 yard dash.

Any insight or personal experience would be appreciated.

I've heard that 4.3 for a RHH and 4.2 for a LHH are major league average for H-1st. So 4.1 (if accurate) at his age is very good.

-------------------

My 2012 RHH, was timed at 4.15 about a year ago, but his best 60 yd time is 7.1....so go figure