Adam Folkard in slo mo.... I hope this works.

Bill, thanks for the reply. My reason for asking is the absolute physical nature of what he and you are doing with each pitch. That is a violent action that is repeated over and over. Thanks for posting the video. BTW, I have watched that video a few dozen times and so, how the "views" are being counted is not accurate.

Any video of ball movement by chance?

I also watched it a few times and showed it to my son and daughter so don't worry WE ARE INTERESTED. I'm pretty sure my mouth ended up hanging open in amazement every time I watched it!! and I'm not surprised you would have back issues after doing this for so many years - the wear and tear on your bodies must be incredible!!

I've watched it several times. Counter is busted...

drc9805 said:

Any video of ball movement by chance?

Click to expand...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBM9z_8sXpo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHa9BqGnBy8

So if I get this right, the easier you make it look, the faster you throw. Got it.

You watch Monica Abbott and she works her butt off to hit 72 while he grooves it at plus 80. My eyes don't work well enough to see the differences.

Hillhouse said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBM9z_8sXpo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHa9BqGnBy8

Click to expand...

Freakin AWESOME!...No other way to put it.

I remember reading about this "King & His Court" guy years ago...this clip is hilarious!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbbYx_FqtHU&app=desktop

Anyone ever fathom what the "launch to contact time" is for the hitter facing Folkard or Abbott?
Here are some really rough numbers:

Folkard throwing 85mph from a 39 ft. (actually travels 37ft. until contact in front of the plate) release=.296 sec. from release to zone. Since the ball is typically 15 ft. in front of the plate before a hitter has determined location/speed/movement and thus launches the swing....it means they have .120 secs. to get the bat to contact.

Abbott throwing 72mph from a 38 ft. release=.342 sec. from release to contact zone. Again, a good college hitter can wait until the ball is 15ft. in front of contact to begin her launch. So she has about .142 secs. to get to contact. Best launch to contact time I have measured is Megan Wiggins who plays professionally with USSSA Pride and in the Japanese pro league.....she can wait until the ball is 12.5 ft. from the contact zone.....probably why she is one of the best hitters in the womens game.

Either way man or woman this takes a special athlete/hitter. Someone with some time on their hands do the calculation for a 98 mph fastball in baseball. I think you will see how amazing these softball players are.

I think this high speed video shows the spin axis quite well on Adam Folkard's dropball (first pitch) and then his riseball (second pitch).


[video]https://youtu.be/gk29pRYUsKU[/video]