Posted by: Jim (jwelborn@lexcominc.net) on Mon Oct 17 20:16:07 2005

> Will a 100 to 150 cheapy radar gun work on recording batspeed? Also what are average batspeeds per age group?i do realize size does come into play as well but what numbers should i be looking for for a freshman in HS using a 3 drop.




We have attempted to record bat speed using our Juggs radar gun. Our results were very erratic and unusable on a swinging bat. This probably has to do with the fact that a swinging bat is a rotating object and its velocity as it relates to the fixed position of the gun is angular and therefore constantly changing.

We did, however, have some success hitting a ball off a tee into a screen. We positioned the gun on the opposite side of the screen to afford a straight-on reading. The gun was able to get a good return signal due to the linear flight of the ball off the tee. There is, of course, a relationship between bat speed and ball speed, but I have no idea what the relationship is or how to calculate it.

It is interesting to note that the radar gun’s signal is extremely directional and therefore very sensitive to the angle of the flight of the ball as it leaves the tee. Consistent readings were observed only when line drives were hit directly at the gun.

This, by the way, has proven to be a good drill for our kids. It promotes line drive hitting, good mechanics, and is fun.

J