Plate Performance with Coach Paul: How Fast Is Your Swing?

Plate Performance with Coach Paul: How Fast Is Your Swing?

As I begin contributing articles for Extra Inning Softball, a common thread will be bat speed. High bat speed is the signature of all elite softball hitters. But what is high bat speed?

I am often asked about average bat speeds for softball hitters. I have scoured multiple online resources for credible information, but I have been unable to find any meaningful studies or insightful statistics.

I have measured, recorded, and compiled bat speeds of softball players of all ages over many years. Based on this information and my observations, I have a good feel for the average bat speeds of grade school, high school, and college hitters.

Here is a summary of my findings.

Grade School Softball Hitters (45–60 mph)

At this level, it is more important for young hitters to work on learning and practicing correct hitting mechanics, without worrying about bat speed. When parents and coaches of hitters at this age focus too much on bat speed, bad habits are inevitable.

Bat speeds can vary significantly due to many variables. Grade school hitters grow at a different pace at this age. It is common to see small and weak hitters with large and strong players on the same team. The varied strength of these hitters will cause bat speeds to fall in a wide range.

The size and weight of youth bats can also cause bat speeds to be inconsistent. When middle school parents boast that their daughter has bat speeds comparable to high school hitters, I am skeptical. Frequently, these hitters are using bats too light for their size and strength.

High School Softball Hitters (50–80 mph)

Most high school softball hitters have relatively low bat speeds ranging from between 50 and 63 mph. Young women typically rely on their upper bodies to generate bat speed, which will naturally limit their ability to hit for power. Until these hitters learn how to use the kinetic linkage from the lower body up through the upper body, their bat speeds will be limited.

The best high school softball hitters have bat speeds over 70 mph, while a few elite hitters can top 80 mph. These hitters have adopted hitting mechanics that are conducive to elite power and consistency.

College Softball Hitters (55–83 mph)

Surprisingly, average bat speeds for college hitters at all levels range from 55 to 65 mph which is only a slight increase compared to high school bat speeds. This is due in part to traditional softball hitting theory and instruction that restrains women from reaching their power potential.

Historically, softball hitters were encouraged to make contact at the expense of power. Fortunately, softball hitting coaches are increasingly adopting progressive hitting mechanics like the ones I advocate. Due to this trend, the better hitters in college softball now have bat speed in the mid-seventies, and elite hitters can reach the mid-eighties.

Bat Speed v. Exit Velocity

It is important to understand the difference between the terms “bat speed” and “exit velocity.” Bat speed is determined by simply measuring the speed of the swing using a portable device. Some bat speed measurement devices attach directly to the bat, but these are less accurate than the Swing Speed Radar (pictured) I use with my hitters. After a few swings, it is easy to determine the average bat speed of a hitter.

Exit speed is the speed of the ball as it leaves the bat. Exit speed will always be higher than bat speed. A high school softball player once told me her bat speed was over 70 mph, which I knew to be too high, based on my observations of her swings in the batting cage. The 70 mph reading was obviously her exit velocity. When I measured her bat speed with my bat speed radar, her average was actually 61 mph. This made more sense, given her age, size, and swing. This confirmed again for me that hitters and coaches should use the terms bat speed and exit velocity correctly.

How Can Hitters Improve Bat Speed?

When I first began working with a college softball team during their thirty-day fall practice period, I started by measuring the bat speeds of each hitter as a baseline to track their progress. On the first day of practice, bat speeds ranged from 48 to 65 mph, with a team average bat speed of approximately 55 mph.

Three hitters had bat speeds in the upper forties, nine hitters had bat speeds in the fifties, and four players had bat speeds in the sixties. These low bat speeds did not surprise me. I had worked with enough high school and college softball hitters to know that traditional hitting mechanics taught to women are ineffective to generate consistent power.

On the last day of the fall season, bat speeds ranged from 57 to 74 mph, with a new team average of approximately 66 mph! One hitter had bat speed in the upper fifties, eleven hitters had bat speeds in the mid-sixties, and five hitters had bat speeds over 70 mph, which is my minimum target for all high school and college softball players.

By the end of the season, nearly every starter on this college softball team exceeded the 70 mph mark. The result was record-setting offensive statistics.

How Did These Hitters Improve Their Bat Speed So Much in Thirty Days?

High bat speed is achieved through rotational hitting mechanics that harness the power that begins in the ground. Power from the ground works its way up through the body, and ultimately ends at impact with the ball. These hitters learned, incorporated, and practiced the power hitting mechanics I teach.

The Many Benefits of High Bat Speed

The primary benefit of elite bat speed is more power. Other benefits include the ability to watch the ball longer before pulling the trigger, improved consistency, and increased confidence. Hitters with elite bat speeds know that no pitcher can throw the ball by them consistently. This confidence translates into high averages and extra base hits.

I understand that bat speed is not the sole determinant of hitting success. Plate discipline, pitch recognition, pitch selection, count strategies, and an effective mental approach are also important. However, if I had to rank the most important trait of an elite softball hitter, high bat speed would always be at the top of the list.

I look forward to sharing my template of hitting keys with Extra Inning Softball members in future articles.

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