This pitch speed equivalent calculator will quickly convert the speed of a baseball pitch from miles per hour to kilometers per hour, and vice versa, to better understand pitching speeds.
Pitch Speed Equivalent Calculator
How to Use this Calculator
To use this calculator, simply enter the pitching distance in feet for your initial measurement into the first input field, and then enter the pitch speed in miles per hour (mph) into the second input field. After you have entered both values, click the “Calculate” button to get the equivalent pitch speed at the standard distance of 60.5 feet.
How it Works
The calculator uses a simple proportion to convert the speed of a pitch from one distance to the equivalent speed at another distance. Since the time it takes for a ball to travel a certain distance at a specific speed is consistent, we can calculate what the speed would appear to be from a different distance given the initial speed and distance. The formula used is:
Equivalent Speed (mph) = (Speed (mph) * Reference Distance (feet)) / Original Distance (feet)
The reference distance used here is 60.5 feet, which is the standard pitching distance from the pitcher’s mound to home plate in baseball.
Limitations
This calculator assumes a linear relationship between speed and distance, ignoring factors such as wind resistance, spin, and other variables that may affect the actual speed of a pitch over varying distances. It is a simplified tool designed for quick comparisons and not precise measurements that could be used for coaching or player development purposes.