Bat Speed Ratings for Fastpitch Girls

Bat speed is one of the critical components of the swing...
Lack of bat speed indicates poor mechanics and weight transfer...

As for slappers, if they are one dimensional in their approach
to hitting ( all they do is slap ).. they will struggle at the higher levels...
They also must have the ability to generate power,
( line drive , gap power ) thus making the defense respect all aspects of her game... If all she is gonna do is bunt and slap, they will get her out in the college game.

 

I really agree with this. My kid turned into a part time slapper in 07, going full left all of 08. she was taught by a former Oregon State player who also plays for the Philidelphia Force and coaches HS. I thought her instruction was great. My kid learned how to quick bunt, finesse slap, but never could get the power slap to go. realizing how important all this was, she gave it up to back to the right side.
its that important, and her instructor agreed.
I have seen many quick kids turned left due to speed, and it works until you get to the national level at 16. the issue is, with speed, if you get two bounces your on. good defenses, will never allow the two bounces, so you must be able to slap with power in the gap. if you dont you most likely wont be successful at the higher just as Windmill says.

 

Here is a link to a forum in Ohio where we were talking about bat speed.

http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=1067&highlight=Bat+Speed

 

I posed this question to the head coach of a Div I school in eastern NC and here was her response.

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Bat speed is crucial, but not the ONLY thing to consider. I know UNC’s camps use a device, as do others, but I’m a firm believer in not getting wrapped up in numbers. I don’t put it on my kids, just like I don’t clock our pitchers but a few times a year. Everyone gets so wrapped up w/ “numbers,” that they lose sight of the overall mechanics involved. There is not a direct correlation w/ bat speed numbers to batting average/and or power numbers. I for one will not recruit a kid based solely on their “numbers” (bat speed, over hand throw MPH, pitching speed, etc). Other programs differ. Trust your gut. If the kid looks like she has a sweet stroke w/ ample bat speed, she probably does. My shortstop barely tops out at 60 MPH in the over-hand throw, HOWEVER her quick release and hands of silk make up for that. 5 dry swings w/ no moving ball isn’t something I’m willing to recruit off of. As coaches, work towards maximum bat speed per that individual COMPLEMENTED w/ a solid foundation base. Our kid w/ the fastest bat speed on our team doesn’t hit for average. High strike outs, solid power numbers, sub par on base percentage and sub par overall average. Just FYI. (Mechanically, the bat speed pulls her head of the ball ever so slightly...thus causing problems.)
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Like almost anything, terms always general and will differ, player to player. That being said, very solid statements here. thanks for posting that.

 

Bat speed readings should not be used to compare players. Such readings should only be used to chart improvement for the individual over time. Although very important, there is more to batting than just bat speed.

 

But can they hit?

Someone thinks batspeed is very important:

www.kettering.edu/~drussell/bats-new/batw8.html

 

Timing--not speed

I think timing is much more important. A 65 mph swing doesn't do much to a 40 mph changeup if you're not on time!!

 

....nice post.
Fishman

 

You are right to a point...

But it is a measurable skill, like running times to 1st or home, or pitching speed measured with a radar gun. There are some who will not consider a player a prospect based on numbers like these.

Bat speed does allow a batter to wait a little longer to commit to a swing and to me, that's where it is an advantage.

But if a batter has a swing speed that is below the average pitch speed at the level of ball she is trying to reach, then she is going to struggle. Good mechanics won't do you much good if the ball is already in the catchers glove!