Softball to Baseball Pitch Speed Calculator
MLB-equivalent speed for any fastpitch velocity, matched by reaction time
Works for 10U through Pro Fastpitch on the softball side and Little League through MLB on the baseball side.
Popular Softball to Baseball Conversions
These reflect equivalent reaction times for the batter. Use the calculator below to convert any specific velocity.
Calculate Equivalent Pitch Speeds
How the conversion works
A softball pitcher releases the ball from a shorter mound than a baseball pitcher. To compare them fairly, we match the reaction time the batter has to swing.
The formula is straightforward: equivalent speed = original speed × (baseball mound distance / softball mound distance). A 65 mph college softball pitch travels 43 feet; an MLB pitch travels 60.5 feet. Multiply 65 by 60.5/43 and you get roughly 91 mph.
The calculator handles every standard mound distance for both sports, so the conversion works just as well for a 12U fastpitch pitcher comparing to Little League as it does for a Pro Fastpitch pitcher comparing to MLB.
Fastpitch to MLB quick reference
| Softball speed (43 ft) | MLB equivalent (60.5 ft) | Reaction time |
|---|---|---|
| 55 mph | 77 mph | ~0.53 sec |
| 60 mph | 84 mph | ~0.49 sec |
| 65 mph | 91 mph | ~0.45 sec |
| 68 mph | 95 mph | ~0.43 sec |
| 70 mph | 98 mph | ~0.42 sec |
| 75 mph | 105 mph | ~0.39 sec |
Reaction time is measured from release to home plate. The conversion ignores spin, movement, and release point, which differ meaningfully between fastpitch and baseball.
FAQ
What is a 65 mph softball pitch in baseball mph?
A 65 mph pitch from a 43-foot fastpitch mound is roughly equivalent to a 91 mph baseball pitch from an MLB mound, measured by reaction time.
Is the MLB equivalent calculator accurate?
It uses the standard reaction-time model: equivalent speed equals original speed multiplied by the ratio of mound distances. It does not account for spin, movement, or release point differences between fastpitch and baseball.
Why does fastpitch feel faster than the radar gun number?
Because the pitcher is closer. The batter has less time to react, so a 60 mph fastpitch pitch produces roughly the same reaction window as an 84 mph baseball pitch.