Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com

Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com
[ Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com ]

Launch angle calculations

Posted by Hipparchus on March 28, 2026, 7:41 pm

Quick question for everyone. I'm trying to calculate my daughter's launch angles. She's a really good hitter, but needs just a bit extra to get it over the fence.

Im just curious how you calculate launch angles. I have been filming her high school at bats. From the first base side. Then I have been pulling up those videos on my tablet and using my protractor on the screen. My problem is I don't know where to place the vertex of the protractor. Is it on home plate or her bat?

Re: Launch angle calculations

Posted by @C'mon Hippa on March 29, 2026, 11:18 am, in reply to "Launch angle calculations"

Don't embarrass yourself, every softball dad knows the protractor is placed at the point of impact.

Re: Launch angle calculations

Posted by @You're Funny on March 29, 2026, 11:13 am, in reply to "Launch angle calculations"

To achieve this distance, 220 ft, the optimal metrics are:

Launch Angle: 25° to 32°. Angles lower than this usually result in line drives that hit the fence, while angles higher than 35° result in "towering" fly balls that lose energy to gravity and wind resistance.

Required Bat Speed: Roughly 55 to 60 mph. Because of the "trampoline effect" of composite bats and the incoming pitch speed (collision physics), your bat speed doesn't need to match the exit velocity 1:1.

Re: Launch angle calculations

Posted by @@You're Funny on March 29, 2026, 11:21 am, in reply to "Re: Launch angle calculations"

Just a second, scooter. You're assuming they're getting through the middle of the ball. How do I need to adjust her swing if she's perpetually slightly under the center line?

Re: Launch angle calculations

Posted by @@@You're Funny on March 29, 2026, 11:23 am, in reply to "Re: Launch angle calculations"

That seems like a trick question. As long as she's 32degrees and 80mph it's gone. Doesn't matter how you get there.

Re: Launch angle calculations

Posted by Answer on March 29, 2026, 12:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Launch angle calculations"

Get to a facility with HitTrax, and you will see what it takes.

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