Posted by: Jon (williams.jon@insightbb.com) on Fri May 13 11:38:29 2005

Here's a reasonbly quick way to calculate reaction time from different distances...

Question: a 70mph pitch from 45ft is equivalent to what speed pitch from 60.5 feet?

1) First, convert mph to feet per second by multiplying mph by 1.4667....70mph * 1.4667 = 102.67 feet per second.

2) Divide pitching distance by ft/second .... 45ft/102.67ft/sec = .438 seconds. So, a 70 mph pitch from 45 feet gives you a reaction time of .438 seconds.

3) If you're trying to find a comparable pitch speed from 60.5 feet, divide the new distance by reaction time.... 60.5 feet/.438 seconds = 138.128 ft/second.

4) Convert ft/second to mph .... 138.128 ft/sec * .68182 = 94.2mph

The factors of 1.4667 and .68182 are constants and remain the same regardless of what distances and speeds you are trying to convert.

The answer here is that a 94.2 mph pitch from 60.5 feet gives you the same reaction time as a 70 mph pitch from 45 feet.

Jon