Parents and players hear the terms all the time: bat speed, exit velocity, launch angle. But what do they actually mean — and which ones really matter in youth baseball?

At Swing Lab, we use tech like HitTrax and Blast Motion to track player development. Two of the most important metrics for hitters are bat speed and exit velocity. While they’re closely related, they measure very different things — and understanding both can help players train smarter and hit harder.

This guide breaks down what bat speed and exit velocity are, why they matter for youth players, and how to improve them over time.

What Is Bat Speed?

Bat speed is the speed of the barrel of the bat at the moment of contact with the ball. It’s usually measured in miles per hour (mph).

Think of it as:
🡒 How fast the bat is moving when it hits the ball.

A higher bat speed means more potential energy is being transferred into the ball. It also means more time to react — because faster swings can wait longer before committing.

Why Bat Speed Matters

• Helps generate power — even for smaller or younger players

• Allows hitters to wait longer on pitches

• Improves barrel control with proper mechanics

• Correlates strongly with exit velocity (but doesn’t guarantee it)

Bat speed is a skill. With proper training, almost any youth player can improve it over time — even if they’re not the biggest or strongest kid on the field.

What Is Exit Velocity?

Exit velocity is the speed of the ball as it leaves the bat after contact.

Think of it as:
🡒 How fast the ball comes off the bat.

It’s the result of bat speed + timing + contact quality. A high exit velocity tells us the hitter squared the ball up and transferred power efficiently through the swing.

Why Exit Velocity Matters

• Harder-hit balls are more likely to become hits — especially extra-base hits

• Higher exit velo increases the chance of getting the ball past infielders and outfielders

• It's a key metric in college recruiting and player evaluation

Exit velocity is more of an outcome metric — not something you can directly "train" without improving your bat speed and swing mechanics first.

Bat Speed vs. Exit Velocity: What’s the Difference?

Bat Speed

• Measures the speed of the bat at the moment of contact

• Controlled by swing mechanics and player strength

• Helps with timing, reaction time, and generating power

• Input metric — used to evaluate how the hitter is swinging

Exit Velocity

• Measures the speed of the ball off the bat

• Controlled by bat speed + quality of contact

• Indicates how hard the ball was hit

• Output metric — used to evaluate contact quality and power potential

In short:

• Bat speed is the input.

• Exit velocity is the output.

• One drives the other — but good mechanics matter too.

What’s a “Good” Bat Speed or Exit Velocity for Youth Players?

Here’s a general reference for average ranges in youth baseball:

Ages 9–10

• Average Bat Speed: 45–55 mph

• Average Exit Velocity: 50–60 mph

Ages 11–12

• Average Bat Speed: 50–60 mph

• Average Exit Velocity: 60–70 mp

Ages 13–14

• Average Bat Speed: 55–65+ mph

• Average Exit Velocity: 70–80+ mph

Note: These are general benchmarks. Every player is different. Bat speed tends to increase with physical maturity, strength, and good coaching.

How to Improve Bat Speed

Bat speed is highly trainable with the right focus. Here are a few proven ways to build it:

1. Tee work with overload/underload bats
2. Medicine ball rotational power drills
3. Swinging with intent (focus on fast hands, not just making contact)
4. Strength training (core, hips, legs, grip)
5. Proper sequencing (hips before hands, not arms only)

At Swing Lab, we use Blast Motion to track bat speed on every swing. It allows us to give players immediate feedback and track progress over time.

Why These Metrics Matter for Player Development

Tracking bat speed and exit velocity allows parents and coaches to:

• See real progress (even when stats or results aren’t visible on the field)

• Build age-appropriate training plans

• Spot red flags in swing mechanics

• Focus on quality reps over just volume

It also helps players stay motivated. When a player sees their bat speed go from 58 mph to 63 mph in a season, they know their hard work is paying off.

Final Thoughts

In youth baseball, bat speed and exit velocity are two of the most valuable swing metrics. They don’t just sound impressive — they help explain why a player is (or isn’t) hitting the ball hard.

Improving both takes time, coaching, and consistent training. But when players focus on mechanics, strength, and smart reps, real gains happen.

Want to know your child’s bat speed or exit velocity? Book a swing assessment at Swing Lab. We’ll break down the data and build a personalized hitting plan to help your player reach the next level.

from: playksports