What velocity means
Velocity is the speed of a pitch in miles per hour. When a coach, scout, or scoreboard gives a number, it's almost always the peak speed, measured just after the ball leaves the hand. The ball slows down on its way to the plate because of air resistance. A baseball released at 90 mph usually crosses the plate about 8 mph slower. That's why two devices can show different numbers for the same pitch if they measure it at different points.
Velocity matters because it cuts down the hitter's decision time. A 90 mph fastball from a 60 ft 6 in mound reaches the plate in about four-tenths of a second. Every extra mph takes a little more of that time away. Harder pitches tend to bring more swings and misses and weaker contact.
Velocity is one part of a pitch. Movement, spin, location, and how pitches pair together all shape results. A well-located 84 mph fastball with good ride can beat a straight 90 mph fastball over the middle. Speed also sets up off-speed pitches, since a changeup 8 to 10 mph slower than the fastball is hard to time. Velocity is still one of the clearest markers of arm strength. Tracking it across sessions shows whether training is working and when fatigue sets in.
Video explanation
Jake Fishman, PitchLab’s co-founder and CEO, pitched in the major leagues for the Miami Marlins. Here he explains velocity and what it means for your pitching.
What affects velocity
Leg drive and ground force
Strength and power in the legs and hips drive the throw. Pitchers who use the ground well usually throw harder than pitchers who rely on the arm alone.
Hip and shoulder separation
When the hips open before the shoulders, the torso stretches and then snaps through. That sequence passes more speed up to the arm.
Arm speed
A fast, well-conditioned arm moves the ball faster at release.
Age and physical maturity
Young pitchers gain speed as they grow and add strength. Big jumps between 13 and 16 are normal, so compare a player with their own history more than with teammates.
Fatigue and warm-up
Velocity usually drops as the pitch count climbs or when a pitcher isn't fully warm. A steady drop within a session is a common sign to stop.
Pitch type and where it is measured
Fastballs are the benchmark, and off-speed pitches are slower on purpose. Readings also differ by where a device catches the ball, since it slows on the way to the plate.
What’s a good velocity?
| Level | Average | Good | Great | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12U | 54 | 58 | 62 | 66+ |
| 14U | 63 | 68 | 72 | 76+ |
| High school (varsity) | 78 | 82 | 86 | 90+ |
| College (D1) | 89 | 91 | 93 | 95+ |
| MLB | 94.5 | 96 | 97.5 | 99+ |
Fastball speeds measured at release. Youth numbers vary a lot with age inside a group, body size, and mound distance, so track a young pitcher against their own history first.
How PitchLab measures it
PitchLab measures velocity on every pitch with an iPhone on a tripod set about 2 ft behind the pitcher, facing home plate.
Velocity FAQs
How do you measure pitching velocity with your phone?
Set an iPhone 12 or newer on a tripod about 2 ft behind the pitcher, facing home plate, and start a session in PitchLab. PitchLab reads velocity from the video on every pitch and shows it before the next one, so you don’t need a radar gun.
Is there an app that measures pitch speed?
Yes. PitchLab measures pitch speed with just an iPhone and a tripod, and records every throw on video with its velocity, spin, and movement. PitchLab is free to start.
What’s the best app for increasing pitching velocity?
Look for an app that measures velocity on every throw, saves the video, and tracks your average and top-end velocity over time, so you can see which changes actually add speed. PitchLab does all three with just an iPhone.
What is a good pitching velocity for a 14-year-old?
Most 14-year-old baseball pitchers throw their fastball in the low to mid 60s. Around 68 mph is good, and 75 mph or more is rare at that age. Growth varies a lot at 14, so month-to-month progress tells you more than a comparison with a teammate.
How fast should a high school pitcher throw?
Varsity high school baseball pitchers average around 78 mph, and the low to mid 80s is good. Pitchers who sit 86 mph or higher tend to get a look from college programs.
How do you increase pitching velocity?
Build strength and power in the legs, hips, and core, then train the delivery to use it. Clean up mechanics so the hips lead the shoulders and energy flows up to the arm. Follow a structured throwing program and the pitch-count and rest guidelines for your age. Measure velocity often so you can see which changes add speed.
Is pitch velocity measured at release or at the plate?
Most radar guns and pitch trackers report the peak speed, taken just after the ball leaves the hand. The ball then slows on the way in, so a reading at the plate is several mph lower. Some radar guns read later in flight and show lower numbers. When you compare speeds, make sure they come from the same kind of device.
