Exit Velocity Calculator
Calculate Exit Velo from Bat Speed, Pitch Speed & Bat Type
Physics-based calculator for wood, metal, composite, and BBCOR bats
⚡ Average Exit Velocities by Level
MLB average: 103 mph • MLB elite (top 10%): 110+ mph
Calculate Your Exit Velocity
Understanding Exit Velocity in Baseball
Exit velocity (exit velo) is the speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat after contact. It's one of the most important metrics in modern baseball for evaluating hitting performance and power potential.
What Affects Exit Velocity?
1. Bat Speed
Bat speed is the most important factor in exit velocity. The faster you can swing the bat, the higher your potential exit velocity. Elite MLB hitters have bat speeds of 85+ mph, while youth players typically range from 45-70 mph.
2. Pitch Speed
The incoming pitch speed contributes to exit velocity. A 95 mph fastball will generally produce higher exit velo than a 75 mph changeup, assuming the same bat speed and contact quality. This calculator defaults to 95 mph (typical MLB fastball).
3. Bat Type & Material
Different bat materials have different coefficients of restitution (COR), which affects how much energy is transferred to the ball:
- Wood bats: COR ≈ 0.50 (lowest exit velo, required in pro ball)
- BBCOR bats: COR ≈ 0.50 (regulated to match wood, used in high school and college)
- Aluminum/Alloy bats: COR ≈ 0.55 (moderate performance, common in youth ball)
- Composite bats: COR ≈ 0.60 (highest exit velo, popular in travel ball)
Exit Velocity Benchmarks by Age
| Age / Level | Avg Bat Speed | Avg Exit Velo | Elite (Top 10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-10 years old | 45 mph | 55 mph | 65+ mph |
| 11-12 years old | 55 mph | 65 mph | 75+ mph |
| 13-14 years old | 65 mph | 75 mph | 85+ mph |
| 15-16 years old | 70 mph | 83 mph | 93+ mph |
| 17-18 years old | 75 mph | 89 mph | 99+ mph |
| College Baseball | 80 mph | 95 mph | 105+ mph |
| MLB / Professional | 85 mph | 103 mph | 110+ mph |
How to Measure Bat Speed & Exit Velocity
Measuring Bat Speed
The most accurate way to measure bat speed is with bat sensors:
- Blast Motion: Sensor that attaches to bat knob
- Diamond Kinetics SwingTracker: Knob-mounted sensor
- Garmin Swing Metrics: Integrated bat sensor
- Zepp Baseball: Bat-mounted sensor (discontinued but still used)
Measuring Exit Velocity
Exit velo can be measured with radar guns or tracking systems:
- Pocket Radar: Handheld radar gun (~$300-400)
- HitTrax / Rapsodo: Professional hitting labs with full tracking
- Blast Motion: Estimates exit velo based on bat speed and swing data
How to Improve Exit Velocity
Key Training Focus Areas:
- Increase bat speed: Strength training, rotational power, and overload/underload training
- Improve contact quality: Barrel awareness, swing path, and timing
- Optimize launch angle: 15-30 degrees produces optimal distance
- Build rotational strength: Core, hips, and legs generate most power
- Use proper bat weight: Too heavy slows bat speed, too light reduces mass transfer
Exit Velocity vs. Bat Speed: What's More Important?
While exit velocity is the ultimate result metric, bat speed is the controllable input that players should focus on improving. You can't directly train exit velocity, but you can train bat speed, strength, and swing mechanics that lead to higher exit velo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good exit velocity for my age?
Use the table above as a reference. Generally, you want to be within 5 mph of the average for your age group. Elite players are typically 10+ mph above average. For example, a 12-year-old with 75+ mph exit velo is elite.
Does pitch speed really affect exit velocity?
Yes! Faster pitches contribute more energy to the collision. A 95 mph fastball will produce 5-10 mph higher exit velo than an 80 mph pitch, assuming the same bat speed and contact. This is why MLB exit velos are higher than college, even with similar bat speeds.
Why do wood bats have lower exit velo than metal bats?
Wood bats have a lower coefficient of restitution (COR ≈ 0.50) compared to metal (0.55) and composite (0.60) bats. This means less energy is transferred from the bat to the ball. That's why youth leagues allow metal bats (easier to hit) while professional baseball requires wood bats.
What exit velocity do you need for college baseball?
College recruiters typically look for exit velocities of 90+ mph for position players. Elite D1 programs want 95+ mph. Remember, this should be measured off a tee with a BBCOR bat, not a composite bat during BP.
Can exit velocity predict home run distance?
Exit velocity is the strongest predictor of batted ball distance, but launch angle and spin also matter. The optimal combination for maximum distance is typically 100+ mph exit velo at a 25-30 degree launch angle. An exit velo of 95 mph with optimal launch angle can produce a 400+ foot home run.