SPEED
Bat speed is a crucial factor in creating high ball exit velocities, which directly correlates how far and fast the ball will travel after contact. The overall speed metric is made up of three parts: Speed Efficiency, Max Hand Speed, and Max Barrel Speed.
Max Barrel Speed
The Science Behind It:
The Science Behind It: The maximum speed of the bat’s barrel during your swing. Measured the point 20% from the tip of the bat.
What Is It?
Why You Should Care.
What It Means For Hitters:
Max Barrel Speed greatly affects both the distance and speed at which the ball travels after impact. According to Diamond Kinetics technical advisor Dr. Alan Nathan, “bat speed is roughly six times more important to batted ball exit velocity than the incoming velocity of the pitch.”
What It Means For Coaches:
Faster barrel speed leads to harder hit balls with higher exit velocities, which increases the chance the ball results in a hit.
DK Pro Tip:
Max Barrel Speed directly correlates with the SwingTracker’s Impact Momentum metric. Hitters will see high Impact Momentum scores, assuming the same barrel speed is maintained at contact, with a heavier bat as with a lighter bat.
Speed Efficiency
The Science Behind It:
Speed Efficiency measures the exact percentage of Max Barrel Speed that occurs at the moment of impact.
What It Means For Hitters:
Ideally, the barrel of the bat will be moving at its maximum speed – 100% Speed Efficiency – when contact is made to maximize exit velocity and ball flight distance. Even a small drop in Speed Efficiency can have a large effect on batted ball outcome.
What It Means For Coaches:
According to Diamond Kinetics’ Technical Advisor Dr. Alan Nathan, “bat speed is roughly six times more important to batted ball exit velocity than the incoming pitch velocity.” With this in mind, it is key to have maximum barrel speed occur at contact to maximize your Speed Efficiency and chance for a hard-hit balls with higher exit velocities
DK Pro Tip
According to Diamond Kinetics Technical Advisor Dr. Alan Nathan, “bat speed is roughly six times more important to batted ball exit velocity than the incoming velocity.” With this in mind, it is key to have maximum barrel speed occur at contact to maximize your Speed Efficiency and chance for a hard-hit balls with higher exit velocities.
Max Hand Speed
The Science Behind It:
The maximum speed of your hands during the swing.
How Does It Contribute To Barrel Speed?
How To Use Hand Speed To Diagnose Low Barrel Speed
What It Means For Hitters:
Faster hand speed and faster bat rotation leads to faster barrel speed, which positively affects exit velocity and ball flight.
What It Means For Coaches:
Faster hand speed will allow hitters to get the bat into the hitting zone sooner, which is especially helpful when facing higher pitching velocities. It is important to note, however, that if a bat is too heavy for the hitter, hand speed could potentially decrease.
DK Pro Tip
Max Hand Speed correlates with SwingTracker’s Trigger To Impact metrics as they both emphasize having excellent quickness and timing in the swing. Quickness and Timing are necessary to make consistent, solid contact with the ball.
