Vertical Bat Angle
Also known as: vertical bat angle, VBA swing metric, bat angle at contact, barrel angle at impact, vertical bat angle baseball
Vertical bat angle is the tilt of the bat compared with level at contact. Zero means the barrel and knob are level, and a negative number means the barrel is below the hands. Almost every hitter reads negative. The number gets more negative on low pitches and less negative on high ones.
Swing sensors measure vertical bat angle at impact. A reading of -25 degrees means the barrel points about 25 degrees below level. The bat angle at contact sets the plane the swing works on, and on-plane efficiency is measured against it.
Pitch height drives much of the reading. A high pitch calls for a flatter bat, and a low pitch calls for a steeper one with more side bend. Comparing a hitter's angle by pitch height tells more than one average.
A flat bat on low pitches tends to produce rolled-over grounders to the pull side. A very steep bat on high pitches tends to produce swings under the ball. Many coaches teach hitters to change bat angle with posture rather than by dropping the hands.
Tips by skill level
On low pitches, bend more at the hips so the bat can tilt down. On high pitches, stay flatter.
Log vertical bat angle by tee height. A hitter who reads almost the same at every height is not adjusting to location.
Example
A hitter rolls over most low pitches. His sensor shows a vertical bat angle of only -15 degrees on low tee swings. He adds side bend at the hips, and his low-pitch reading moves past -30 with more line drives.
Why it matters
The bat's angle at contact must match the pitch height. Vertical bat angle shows whether it does.
Common mistakes
- Treating one average as good or bad without pitch height
- Dropping the hands to steepen the bat
- Confusing vertical bat angle with attack angle
- Copying another hitter's number
Frequently asked questions
What is vertical bat angle?
It is the tilt of the bat compared with level at contact. Zero is level, and a negative number means the barrel is below the hands.
What is a good vertical bat angle?
It depends on pitch height. Almost all hitters read negative, more so on low pitches and less on high ones. Compare your readings by pitch location.
Is vertical bat angle the same as attack angle?
No. Vertical bat angle is the bat's tilt at contact. Attack angle is the up-or-down direction the barrel is moving at contact.
Sources
Related terms
- Attack Angle (Batting)Attack angle in batting is the vertical angle of the bat path through the hitting zone. A slightly upward attack angle matches the pitch plane for hard contact. Statcast treats 5 to 20 degrees at contact as the ideal range.
- On-Plane EfficiencyOn-plane efficiency is a swing-sensor metric for the percentage of the swing in which the bat stays on the plane it will meet the ball on. A higher number means the barrel spends longer in line with the pitch. One sensor maker recommends an average of 70 percent or higher, within a range of about 65 to 85 percent.
- Hitting Posture and Side BendHitting posture is the forward tilt from the hips plus the side bend of the spine that sets the swing plane. Hitters bend more toward the plate for low pitches and stay flatter on high ones. Losing that posture by standing up or collapsing pulls the barrel off the ball's path.
- Hitting Low PitchesTo hit a low pitch, bend more at the hips and tilt the shoulders so the barrel can match the ball's path. Do not drop the hands or reach down with the arms. Topping low pitches usually means the chest stood up or the barrel came in steep. Many coaches teach letting a low pitch travel a little deeper before contact.
- Swing Path TiltSwing path tilt is the angle of the bat's path compared with the ground, measured over the last 40 milliseconds before contact. Statcast puts the MLB average at about 32 degrees, with hitters ranging from about 20 to 50. A higher number means a steeper, more vertical swing plane.
Related guides & benchmarks
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