Softball to Baseball Speed Calculator
The Softball to Baseball Speed Calculator estimates equivalent baseball pitch speeds using your softball pitch speed and specific pitching distances. This tool helps players, coaches, and scouts accurately compare reaction time difficulty between the two sports. Whether you are evaluating recruiting potential, setting training goals, or explaining pitch velocity to others, this converter provides clear, standardized comparisons.
How Equivalent Baseball Speed Is Calculated
Equivalent Baseball Speed represents the velocity a baseball must travel to match the reaction time of a specific softball pitch. Because softball pitchers stand closer to the plate, the ball reaches the batter significantly faster than the raw speed might suggest. This calculation relies on the distance ratio to normalize the playing field for accurate comparison.
Equivalent Speed = Softball Speed × (Baseball Distance ÷ Softball Distance)
The Math:
- First, the tool determines the ratio of the baseball pitching distance to the softball pitching distance.
- Then, it multiplies your input softball speed by this specific ratio to find the matching baseball speed.
This mathematical approach ensures that the reaction time remains the constant for fair comparison across both sports.
What Your Equivalent Baseball Speed Means
Your result translates the difficulty of hitting a softball into the more widely understood language of baseball velocity. This helps you visualize exactly how much time a batter has to react to your pitch.
College Recruiting Standards
If your equivalent speed is over 90 mph (approx. 65 mph softball), you are hitting competitive Division 1 standards. Coaches prioritize these numbers to identify recruits capable of competing at the highest collegiate levels and reacting to elite velocity.
High School Development
An equivalent speed between 77 and 88 mph (approx. 55-63 mph softball) indicates a solid varsity-level player. This range suggests you possess the velocity necessary for success in competitive travel ball and high school starting lineups.
Elite Performance
Scores exceeding 98 mph (approx. 70+ mph softball) represent Olympic-level talent. At this reaction time, the pitch is virtually uncatchable for average batters, marking a pitcher as a top prospect for professional scouting.
Important Note
Remember that a larger softball is easier to see than a baseball, so the visual difficulty might differ slightly from the reaction time calculated.
These results are for informational and comparative purposes only. Actual pitching performance and recruitability depend on additional factors like movement, accuracy, and spin rate that this tool does not measure.
Regularly track your speed using this calculator to measure progress during the off-season and adjust your training intensity accordingly.
Calculation logic verified using publicly available standards.
View our Accuracy & Reliability Framework →