Either my Pocket Radar is inaccurate...

We have a pitcher who is legit mid-50s in games. Dad was very excited to show me a 63 the PR. I would bet money that it was an exit velocity.

Ken B said:

I believe they are very consistent/accurate. I pulled mine out during a stroll at a 16U tournament last weekend and out of 8 pitchers, 53 was the highest I saw (from a 14U team.) Most cruised around 51.

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I did the same thing at a 12u tourney.... wanted to check out the 60mph kid everyone was talking about.... my PR was steadily cruising at 54-55... maybe mine is broken too???

So that brings up a good point, where is the PR measuring speed, off of the hand, halfway there, at the batter? I don't know how much speed you lose over 40' but it must be quite a bit. PC used PR on DD and got 52-54 (2nd year 12u) during lesson but what does that really mean?

I do not have access to a radar gun, coach told DD that she is throwing batter practice speed.

Does anyone know how fast this Is?

I want to be able to tell someone if they ask.

Just wanted to add on checking a Pocket radar.

I have had one 2-3 years and of course everyone says its "reading too low, its not accurate." So I emailed them and asked about it. They were so kind to send me another one to try, let me keep it and return my old one. While I had them both, they suggested I check it in my car by setting the cruise and checking it on passing road signs, poles,etc etc. Funny thing is, they both read the same, and they both showed the same as my speedo/cruise control. I also have a gps speedo on my phone and it was within 1 MPH of the car speedo. Pretty damn close I'd say.


If you are not straight on with the target, it will be off, but it will be low, not high. Also you have to click the button or it continually reads the ball speed and that can drop off from release to plate.

I think it is a quality tool and it is backed up by amazing customer service.

jsoftballcoach said:

So that brings up a good point, where is the PR measuring speed, off of the hand, halfway there, at the batter? I don't know how much speed you lose over 40' but it must be quite a bit. PC used PR on DD and got 52-54 (2nd year 12u) during lesson but what does that really mean?

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FWIW, I have a glove radar. In the manual it states that a pitched ball will lose 1 mph every 7 feet. So they suggest adding 5 mph to the reading on the unit. DD is typically 51 or 52 on that and has been clocked at 56 or 57 at clinics, so the 5 mph suggestion seems fair to me.

Eric F said:

We have a pitcher who is legit mid-50s in games. Dad was very excited to show me a 63 the PR. I would bet money that it was an exit velocity.

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Or a car on an adjacent road. Was gunning Jake back in the day in an HS game. Folks got excited when my Stalker II read 69 mph. Pointed out the expressway just past the outfield.

riseball said:

Or a car on an adjacent road. Was gunning Jake back int he day in an HS game. Folks got excited when my Stalker II read 69 mph. Pointed out the expressway just past the outfield.

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No cars around. I'm still betting on exit velocity going the other way.

I had a Bushnell until I noticed all the college coaches were using Pocket Radars. I figured high or low the speed they’re seeing is the only one that matters.

Eric F said:

No cars around. I'm still betting on exit velocity going the other way.

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I have seen that many a time. Truthfully if the batter swings you cannot be sure of the pitch speed. I have also had sensitive guns setup at short distance pick up the laces and not the whole ball giving very high readings.