Either my Pocket Radar is inaccurate...

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Oct 15, 2013
727
63
Seattle, WA
or lot of folks have an exaggerated view of how fast their pitchers throw.

I bought a Pocket Radar some time ago and of course right when I got it my youngest DD said she didn't want to continue with pitching lessons. So, I've been carrying it around in my bucket since then mostly forgotten. But lately I've been breaking it out at practices, scrimmages and tournaments and without fail whenever I talk to a pitcher's father and tell them the speed I'm getting they say, "No, she's much faster than that." The speed they claim is always about 5MPH faster than what I'm measuring. FTR I'm following the directions of the Pocket Radar the best I can and I'm making sure I don't do the Grandpa Radar trick or the opposite either.

Supposedly, the Pocket Radar is pretty accurate. It may be that I have a bad one, but I'm more inclined to believe the only measurement I have than to take the word of a father or coach.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
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.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
or lot of folks have an exaggerated view of how fast their pitchers throw.

Supposedly, the Pocket Radar is pretty accurate. It may be that I have a bad one, but I'm more inclined to believe the only measurement I have than to take the word of a father or coach.

Parents always quote either imaginary speeds (+10) or the fastest their kid has ever thrown (+5) or Grandpa Radar Gun Speed (+20). Game cruising speed is generally much different.

The pocket radar is pretty spot on.
 
Jan 17, 2013
414
18
Texas
They are accurate as long as you are shooting from in front or behind. If your shooting from the side your speeds could be slower.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I've tested my Pocket Radar using the manufacturer's instructions. It was dead on. It consistently reads slower than people say their kid pitches, and slower than the Bushnells say. DD's pitching coach used to have one and got a Bushnell instead because it reads higher (don't get me started). I can't even count how many times I've clocked a 50-mph-plus 10U pitcher and gotten mid-40s. But it's a lot. I've seen true 50 twice. I know when I clock DD at 50 on the Pocket Radar, it's legit. In the meantime it's kinda fun to see how reality compares to what people say. A woman swore they had a 55 mph 07 pitcher recently. Smile-and-nod. No, you really don't.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
I've tested my Pocket Radar using the manufacturer's instructions. It was dead on. It consistently reads slower than people say their kid pitches, and slower than the Bushnells say. DD's pitching coach used to have one and got a Bushnell instead because it reads higher (don't get me started). I can't even count how many times I've clocked a 50-mph-plus 10U pitcher and gotten mid-40s. But it's a lot. I've seen true 50 twice. I know when I clock DD at 50 on the Pocket Radar, it's legit. In the meantime it's kinda fun to see how reality compares to what people say. A woman swore they had a 55 mph 07 pitcher recently. Smile-and-nod. No, you really don't.

You need to introduce your DD's pitching coach to Radar Grandpa, easiest AND cheapest way to add 5+ MPH to any pitch thrown.
 

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