Training to Hit Velocity
Also known as: hitting velocity, hitting high velocity, hitting fast pitching, velocity training for hitters, catching up to a fastball, hitting hard throwers, short distance machine work
To train for 90-mph pitching, shorten your reaction time in practice. Move a pitching machine or front-toss screen closer so a slower pitch arrives as fast as game speed. Track high-velocity pitches without swinging, too. Pair that with a short, quick swing and an earlier load, since you have less time to decide.
Reaction time depends on both speed and distance. A slower pitch from closer can take about as long to arrive as a fast pitch from the mound. That is why coaches move machines and toss screens in. Always use a protective screen for the feeder.
Seeing velocity matters too. Standing in during a bullpen, or tracking machine pitches without swinging, trains your eyes and timing.
Your swing has to fit the speed. Start your load earlier, keep the swing short and look to hit the ball up the middle or the other way. Strength training that builds bat speed also helps you catch up.
Tips by skill level
Start your load when the pitcher's hands break or earlier. Being on time beats swinging harder.
Mix close-range machine work with off-speed pitches so you do not just learn to start early on everything.
Example
A high school hitter struggles with hard throwers. Twice a week, he hits off a machine set closer than normal. By midseason, he is on time more often against fastballs.
Why it matters
Pitch speed rises fast as players move up levels. Training for it ahead of time keeps a hitter from being overmatched.
Common mistakes
- Only facing slow pitching in practice
- Moving a screen in without proper protection
- Making the swing longer to hit the ball harder
Frequently asked questions
How do I get better at hitting fast pitching?
Practice against short-distance machine or front toss so pitches arrive at game speed. Start your load earlier and keep your swing short.
Is moving the pitching machine closer good practice?
Yes, if you use a screen and keep it safe. A slower pitch from closer gives a similar reaction time to a faster pitch from farther away.
Should I start my load earlier against hard throwers?
Yes. You have less time, so start earlier and keep the swing compact.
Related terms
- Pitching Machine PracticeA pitching machine lets a hitter see many pitches at a set velocity and location. Reaction time depends on both velocity and distance. Moving the unit closer makes a slower pitch play faster. Start at a setting you can square up, then add challenge with more velocity, less distance or mixed pitches.
- Front TossFront toss is a hitting drill where a coach sits or kneels behind a protective L-screen in front of the hitter and feeds the ball underhand toward the plate. The ball comes from the pitcher's direction. That makes it better than side flips for training timing. The feeder must stay behind the net.
- Time to ContactTime to contact is the split-second a swing takes from trigger to ball. It sets how late a hitter can afford to start swinging against a given velocity.
- Swing LengthSwing length is how far the barrel travels from the start of the swing to contact. A shorter path generally needs less time, at some cost to peak bat speed.
- Strength Training for Bat SpeedStrength training can raise bat speed by building the legs, hips and trunk that drive the swing. Many programs pair basic lifts such as squats, hinges and presses with rotational medicine-ball throws done at full speed. Young athletes should learn form with light loads under qualified supervision.
Related guides & benchmarks
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