Launch Angle:
Launch angle is measured in degrees and measures the angle at which the ball leaves the bat relative to the ground. Launch angle is used to determine the profile of a ball put in play. For example, a ball with a launch angle below 10 degrees will result in a ground ball, a ball put in play with a launch angle of roughly 10-25 degrees will result in a line drive, a ball with a launch angle of roughly 25-50 degrees will result in a fly ball, and a ball put in play with a launch angle over 50 degrees will result in a pop fly.
Significance:
Crushing the ball is all about barreled hits clocking in at 67mph or more, paired with a launch angle ranging from 20 to 35 degrees. Softball fields come with diverse dimensions, so the launch angle game varies, especially with those 200/220-foot fences in play. For the ultimate homer, think 26 degrees at 70mph, soaring 235 feet in the air.
A solid swing tends to average a launch angle around 17-20 degrees on average, with a mix of 25-35 and 5-15 degrees results as well. But here's the deal: chasing home runs by forcing a higher average launch angle (25+) can backfire. Misses in the 35-45 range might end up as heartbreakingly close warning track flyouts unless every hit has some pop behind it.
A swing that embraces line drives with some power (63mph+), translates to more homers. The secret, focusing on those line drives, and the home runs will follow suit. And remember, the harder you hit that ball (exit velocity), the better shot you have at reaching base. As you move up the softball ladder, where errors are fewer and arms are stronger, those grounders with launch angles below 8 (except for the slappers) might just find their way into fielder's gloves unless you thread the needle. It's all about finding that sweet spot between power, precision, and hitting smart.
Ideal Launch Angle Average
20°- 35° with exit velocities of 70+ mph
10° - 20° with exit velocities >70 mph
Quote -
“Exit velocities are important because the speed at which the ball comes off the bat helps to create power. But exit velos are essentially pointless if their launch angles are not within a certain range. Because a pop up is an easy out every single time no matter how hard they have hit the ball. Plus the better our launch angle & exit velos line drives turn into home runs. Line drives continue on an upward trajectory the harder the ball is hit at the right launch angle.”
McKenna Garlock (Juniata Head Coach)
