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Reaction Window
Also known as: reaction time
The reaction window is the fraction of a second a fast-pitch hitter has to read, decide, and swing. The short pitching distance makes it one of the tightest in all of sport.
From a release roughly 43 feet away at high velocity, the effective reaction time can rival or beat a 90+ mph baseball pitch. This compresses everything: the load must be early, the swing compact, and pitch recognition fast. Understanding the reaction window explains why fast-pitch swings are shorter and more direct than baseball swings.
Example
Against a 65 mph rise ball from 43 feet, the hitter has barely a quarter-second to commit — so a compact, early load is essential.
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