Posted by: Jon (williams.jon@insightbb.com) on Fri May 13 11:06:27 2005

> > What calculations do you use to convert pitching speeds from various distances and equate them to MLB speeds.For example: 63mph from 48ft would be the equivalent to what MLB pitch speed?Jeff
>
> 63mph is to 48ft as "X" is to 60.6 Feet/inches...cross multiply and divid...about 80 mph? This is coming from a non math guy??
>
> Yes, No?

I've done it in Excel and it's not hard to do if you have some spreadsheet software. You first have to calculate the feet per second a ball travels at each pitch speed. For example, a 90 mph fastball travels 132 feet per second. Then you can plug in different distances and calculate how long it takes for a pitch to reach the plate.

a 60mph pitch from 48 feet takes 0.545 seconds to reach the plate.
a 76mph pitch from 60.5 feet takes 0.548 seconds to reach the plate.

So a 60mph pitch from 48 feet is the same as a 76 mph pitch from 60.5 feet.

If you want the excel file I have then email me.

Jon