Pitching Machine Speed Chart – Speed vs. Distance By Cari | Published on August 5, 2022August 28, 2024 When using a pitching machine, it seems like the ball is moving faster or slower depending on your distance from the machine. In fact, the ball’s speed remains constant. If pitched at 60 mph, it travels at 60 mph. However, the machine’s distance from home plate matters when it comes to batting. Consult the pitching machine speed chart to see how pitch speed and batter’s distance create a comparative “reaction time speed.” Learn more about how players see a fastball. Calculating Speed Pitching machines always pitch at the set speed. For example, if the machine is set to 70 mph, the pitch travels at 70 mph at any distance. However, the same 70 mph appears to travel faster when hitting 30 feet, opposed to 60 feet, from home plate. Consequently, it is beneficial to consult a pitching machine speed chart or calculate the perceived speed. Plus, understanding the ball’s travel time helps improve your game. EQUATION Longer Distance (feet) ÷ Shorter Distance (feet) × MPH For the longer distance, enter the typical mound to plate distance. For example, enter 60.5 feet for a field that follows MLB guidelines. Next, the shorter distance (also in feet) represents the distance from the pitching machine to the plate. Lastly, multiply by the miles per hour (MPH) of the pitch. EXAMPLE A pitching machine is set at 70 mph. When the machine is placed 60 feet from home plate, the pitch appears to be traveling at 70 mph (it’s actual speed) when it reaches the player. Now if the machine is moved half the distance home, so 30 feet away, the same pitch appears to travel at 140 mph. So, in the example above, the longer distance is 60 feet and the shorter distance is 30 feet. The MPH is 70. When we plug those numbers into the equations, we get: (60÷30) × 70 MPH = 2 × 70 MPH = 140 MPH To make it even easier to calculate, check the charts below to find how fast it feels like the ball is traveling based on your distance from home plate: I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Pitching Machine Speeds (compared to MLB 60.6 feet) 40 FEET VS. MLB 60.6 FEET|46 FEET VS. MLB 60.6 FEET|54 FEET VS. MLB 60.6 FEET Pitching Machine SpeedComparison Speed|Pitching Machine SpeedComparison Speed|Pitching Machine SpeedComparison Speed 3045|4559|5056 3147|4660|5157 3248|4762|5258 3350|4863|5359 3451|4964|5461 3553|5066|5562 3654|5167|5663 3756|5268|5764 3857|5370|5865 3959|5471|5966 4060|5572|6067 4162|5674|6168 4264|5775|6269 4365|5876|6371 4467|5978|6472 4568|6079|6573 4670|6180|6674 4771|6282|6775 4873|6383|6876 4974|6484|6977 5076|6585|7078 5177|6687|7180 5279|6788|7281 5380|6889|7382 5482|6991|7483 5583|7092|7584 5685|7193|7685 5786|7295|7786 5888|7396|7887 5989|7497|7989 6091|7599|8090 Pitching Machine Speeds (compared to 46-54 feet) 40 FEET VS. 46 FEET|40 FEET VS. 54 FEET|46 FEET VS. 54 FEET Pitching Machine SpeedComparison Speed|Pitching Machine SpeedComparison Speed|Pitching Machine SpeedComparison Speed 3034|3040|4553 3136|3142|4654 3237|3243|4755 3338|3345|4856 3439|3446|4958 3540|3547|5059 3641|3649|5160 3743|3750|5261 3844|3851|5362 3945|3953|5463 4046|4054|5565 4147|4155|5666 4248|4257|5767 4349|4358|5868 4451|4459|5969 4552|4561|6070 4653|4662|6172 4754|4763|6273 4855|4865|6374 4956|4966|6475 5057|5068|6576 5159|5169|6677 5260|5270|6779 5361|5372|6880 5462|5473|6981 5563|5574|7082 5664|5676|7183 5766|5777|7285 5867|5878|7386 5968|5980|7487 6069|6081|7588 Have questions? Contact us with any additional questions regarding pitching machines, projects, or to get started on a custom order today.
ray robbins October 19, 2022 at 12:13 pm what is the proper speed for a 7 and 8 year batting machine Reply
jake October 21, 2022 at 8:27 am Hi Ray, An appropriate speed for 7 to 8 years old, would be in the ballpark of 30-35mph. I hope this helps. Let us know if you need anything else. Cheers, Jake S. Reply
Bob May 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm Watching the College World Series,a pitcher throws 70 MPH at 45 feet,how fast would it go at 60 feet? Thank you—alienpazo@aol.com Reply
tony June 6, 2023 at 12:10 pm Ok, Bob. Math isn’t my strongest suit, but first, let’s take a look at our formula again: Longer Distance (feet) ÷ Shorter Distance (feet) × MPH In this particular case, though, we are moving from a shorter distance to a longer distance, so, to my way of thinking, we’ve got to switch those first two numbers: Shorter distance (feet) ÷ Longer Distance (feet) 45 ft / 60.5 ft = .7438 Now we can take that ratio and multiply it by our pitch speed of 70: .7438 x 70 = 52.066 mph So at the longer distance, that ball will appear to be only traveling at 52 mph by the time it reaches the plate. Think I messed up my calculations? Please feel free to let us know here in the comments. Reply
Craig May 22, 2023 at 8:11 pm In your example calculation you say 60.6 feet for MLB distance. Since the distance is 60 feet 6 inches, and 6 inches is half a foot, you should be using 60.5 as your number in the math equation. Reply