For a 6’ 2” pitcher, that equates to a stride distance of about 5.25 feet (assuming 85% of his height). A quick Google search indicates that the average baseball pitch stride is between 80% and 90% of a pitcher’s height. To find the equivalent baseball pitch speed, we need to find how fast a ball should be going to cover a baseball pitching distance in 0.42 seconds. It takes a 60 mph fastball 0.42 seconds to travel 37 feet. If we assume that the average Softball pitcher releases the ball about 6 feet (yes, superstars like Jenny Finch have a leg stride closer to 7+ feet, but most pitchers do not) from the rubber, the pitching distance equals 37 feet. This reaction time is derived from the fact that Distance = Rate times Time. For example, at the International and College (and soon to be High School) pitching distance of 43’, a batter facing a 60 mph fastball has about 0.42 seconds to react to the pitch. In comparing Softball pitching to Baseball pitching, it is the batter’s reaction time that has to be determined. How do the announcers arrive at that comparison, and are they accurate? This article will aim to answer both questions. "Whenever I watch a college or Team USA softball game on TV, inevitably the announcers say something to the effect that a 60 mph fastball in Fast Pitch Softball is the equivalent of a 95 mph fastball in baseball.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |