Posted by: Joe A. () on Fri Apr 26 08:54:25 2002

Anyone out there with 12-14 year olds have some bat speed statistics? My lightweight (75-85 lb) kids are swinging between 40-55 MPH, which seems pretty slow up against the 60-75 MPH pitching they are now seeing. The are still working on their mechanics, so I expect to see improvement soon.
> >
> > What are others reading, and what's the age, and weight of your ball player?
>
> Here is some info that was posted on the Setpro Site:
> Bat speed numbers. Age/Average/Good/Excellant/Ave Bat Weight:
> (Average speed/bat weight is for "non swing trained player")
>
> 8/35/43/55/16
> 9/38/47/60/18
> 10/42/51/63/20
> 11/45/55/70/21
> 12/48/60/77/23
>
> A ball hit with a 50 MPH bat speed,
> 22 ounce bat, 50 MPH pitch is about a 200' drive
> if hit square with a slight upper cut.


"A slight upper cut????"

Most batter's have a stance with their hands about shoulder height. This is out of the level of the highest stike by about 6 or 8 inches.

From this position to hit a ball with a "slight upper cut" requires that you lower your hands "below" the path of the ball, OR let the bat head drop below the path of the ball while keeping the hands at or above.
>
In any event, if the hands and bat start above the ball, it would have to follow a path down and up again. Is that what happens???


Joe A.