Bat Speed:
Bat speed is the measure of how swiftly a bat travels through its arc during a batter's swing. Typically quantified as the speed from the bat's center of mass, situated near its "sweet spot" – the optimal section for hitting a ball effectively. With a mere half-second window from the pitcher's release to the ball reaching the catcher's mitt, a batter's ability to generate efficient bat speed becomes a crucial factor in making impactful contact.
Significance:
When a pitcher of average stature delivers the ball, the release point is approximately three feet in front of the pitching rubber, situated at a distance of 42 feet from the back of home plate. Within this short span of just over half a second, the batter faces the challenging task of discerning whether the incoming ball will land within the strike zone. In this brief window, she must make split-second decisions on whether to swing, and if affirmative, must skillfully maneuver her hands and bat to connect with the ball at the precise moment needed to put it in play. Another reason why bat speed is so important is because of its correlation to exit velocity. The quicker our barrel is moving, the harder the ball will impact the sweet spot resulting in a higher transfer of power when the ball leaves the bat.
College Average Bat Speed:
Slappers(Swinging Away): 64 mph
Hitters: 73 mph
