How fast is fast...(from home to first..)

[SnocatzDad]

I timed a community 14U B travel team last year and and a range of 3.1 to 4.5. 4 of the 11 girls were able to get in the 3.1 to 3.3 range. I then made them repeat the drill from the left hand box and only 2 improved times, some girls got slower because they were awkward in their mechanics of getting out of the box from that side.

The two that improved times went from 3.1 to 3.0 and 3.2 to 3.1. IMO it's still better to leave a bunter in the right hand box if that is where they are comfortable. It's easy to lay down a 0.1 second better bunt from the side your comfortable on. Drag bunting is another story, but not every girl is willing to put in the time to learn that skill (although they should be)

[Instig8or]

LSU verballed up a girl from Northern California (16u Magic maybe?)

Pretty dependable reports have her at 2.6...

[88sDAD]

During our Clinic a few weeks back a player asked Watley this question


Watley said she was 2.64 but Lowe was 2.52

[Whizzer86]

Nationally at the D1 level, in a major conference, is anything above 2.8 going to turn any heads? I would have a hard time seeing how the average slapper at 3.0 speed would have much success unless she had mastered the ability to direct the ball. I don't know, it would take a lot for me to turn anyone around to the left side unless they showed exceptional speed or tremendous bat control. If they have tremendous bat control from the left they probably have it from the right as well where they could practice and be successful at the lost art of situaltional hitting or "hitting it where they aint". Sorry but I remeber a lot of players that made a living by reading the defense and reacting accordingly.

[Gone in 2.6]

During our Clinic a few weeks back a player asked Watley this question


Watley said she was 2.64 but Lowe was 2.52

In the 100 meters, a margin of .12 is not a close race. There is no way there is that much
of a difference between Watley and Lowe at a distance as short as 60 feet.

[Gone in 2.6]

Just goes to show, hand timing is inaccurate and nearly useless for comparison at such a short distance.

Ya, on my watch my kid is 2.5 all day long

On the subject though is people saying unless your kid's time is X, don't bother. At what age should you see these numbers? A younger player may not have the 2.5-2.8 times but they may be quick enough to be successful in their division. Give them a shot at it and see where it goes. No crime in teaching them another skill just because when they are older they may not have "elite" speed. My DD moved to the left side. Is she blindingly fast? No, but she does well at her age. Plus she is developing her full swing from the left and that still puts you a couple steps closer to first.

That my friend, is the holy grail right there.

[CheckWriter]

Now, I don't remember if it was on the Bucket or Ultimate, but somebody posted that a 2.7 is faster than Mr. Bolt (as in the recent 100 m gold medalist in Bejing) could run his first 20 yards.

My DD was recruited mainly for her speed (and OBP), but the number her travel team posts for her time to first is just plain silly. I have no idea what this number means any more.

Just my $0.02.