SPEED
Bat speed is a crucial factor in creating a high amount of ball exit velocity, which directly correlates with how far and how fast the ball will travel after impact. There are four parts to the overall Speed metric: Speed Efficiency, Max Hand Speed, Forward Bat Speed and Max Barrel Speed.
Max Barrel Speed
The Science Behind It:
The maximum speed of the bat’s barrel during your swing, at a 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 more hard hit balls and a higher ball exit velocity, which in turn, increases the chance for the ball to result in a hit.
DK Pro Tip:
Max Barrel Speed directly correlates with the SwingTracker metric Impact Momentum. Users 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 calculates the exact percentage of Max Barrel Speed that occurs at the precise moment of impact.
What It Means For Hitters:
It is ideal for the barrel of the bat to be moving at its maximum speed – 100% Speed Efficiency – when it contacts the ball, in order to maximize distance and exit velocity. Even a small drop in Speed Efficiency can have a large effect on batted ball outcome
What It Means For Coaches:
A high Speed Efficiency score means the optimum amount of Max Barrel Speed occurred at the moment of impact, thus increasing the chances for higher exit velocity and optimal batted ball outcome potential.
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 that in mind, it is imperative to have maximum barrel speed occur at impact in order to maximize your Speed Efficiency and potentially your chance for a hard-hit ball with a high amount of ball exit velocity.
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, along with faster bat rotation, leads to faster barrel speed which positively affects the ball exit velocity and distance a ball travels.
What It Means For Coaches:
Faster hand speed will help the batter get the bat in the hitting zone sooner. But keep in mind, a bat that is too heavy, could potentially decrease hand speed.
DK Pro Tip
Max Hand Speed correlates with Trigger To Impact relative having excellent quickness and timing in the swing. This is necessary in order to make consistent, solid contact with the ball.
