Why
is the BatMaxx better than other speed measuring devices?
Laser
vs. Radar Technlogies. The BatMaxx operates on technology
that is completely new to the baseball industry. Rather
than utilizing reflective or radar-based technologies to
produce measurements, the BatMaxx uses pin-point laser
beams to identify the speeds.
The
BatMaxx system operates very simply on the principle of
measuring when something interrupts two parallel laser
beams shooting across a zone. Anything can interrupt the
two beams and it will calculate the speed of the object.
It can be a hand, or a baseball bat - wooden or metal:
it doesn't matter. There does not need to be a reflective
sticker on the bat for the BatMaxx to work.
The
Batmaxx provides extremely precise and accurate readings
at the exact laser beam locations - A common use with the
BatMaxx is to set a ball on a tee right next to the laser
beams. This essentially gives the batter the actual bat
speed at the point of contact.
With
reflective technology, the radar must bounce off the bat
somewhere in the arc of the swing, and it can bounce off
the metal bat somewhere along the bat itself. The result
of these two key variables is that the readings by radar
are unpredictable and undependable as a tool to precisely
know the impact of various swing techniques.
Reaction
Time. The BatMaxx also offers reaction time as an important
factor in improving performance. Batters can improve swing
speed, but if they do it at the expense of reaction time,
then it doesn't matter. The pitch will be past them whether
they swing faster or not.
The
BatMaxx, as standard feature of the product, allows batters/coaches
to measure their reaction time AND the bat speed for each
swing. Displayed in thousands of a second, batters can
improve both aspects of the swing, providing a two-method
approach to get more time to react to pitches.
Bat
Selection. Since the BatMaxx provides dependable and accurate
readings to the mph, batters can now make better bat selections
based upon data, instead of what they "feel".
Only the BatMaxx provides the reliable readings to know
what bat speed impact there is with a 1-ounce heavier bat.
Multiple
Uses. With the BatMaxx's unique flexibility and laser technology,
players can use this same device to measure other aspects
of their game. Different methods of setting up the two
laser beams can enable players/coaches to measure quickness
of gloves, or hand movement, or foot speed, or even running.
Other measurement devices cannot do this.
Live
Pitch/Soft Toss. The BatMaxx can take readings with soft-toss
or pitching, where reflective technologies can pick-up
the ball movement and create errant readings.
Wide
Swing Zone Readings. With the laser beam approach, players
of all ages can swing through the BatMaxx and get readings.
Younger players, with less bat control, do not need to
swing within a close range of a sensor in order to get
a reading. If you break the two laser beams 2 inches off
the ground, or 4 feet off the ground, it reads the interruption.
I
have used Radar Bat Speed Equipment Before.
Question: I'm used to a piece of equipment that attempts to give
bat speed readings using radar or reflective technology. I have to
put a reflective sticker on the end of the bat to get the readings
and I'm not convinced it gives me dependable readings. With the BatMaxx,
I understand that it doesn't read the speed at the end of the bat
but at the point of contact.
Is there a way to determine what the bat speed is at any point along
the bat?
With the BatMaxx speed indicator and its laser technology, players
are able to obtain precise bat speeds at any point on the bat. Typically,
players will want to know what the bat speed is at the point of contact,
but with the BatMaxx unit, players can take readings with the laser
beams at the end of the bat or near the handle - it doesn't matter.
Once you have a speed measurement at one point on the bat, mechanical
physics then enable the computation of what the speed is at any point
on the bat.
TechnaSport has put together an easy-to-use calculator that does
just that. Download the attached Excel Spreadsheet to try it out.
Tell
me more about the Reaction Time feature.
Most
players believe that the primary benefit of increased bat
speed is that the ball will travel farther. Although that
is true, the most advantageous aspect of increasing bat
speed is that it provides batters with additional time
to decide to hit a pitch or not.
Being
able to swing faster, therefore, enables batters to wait
slightly longer in observing the pitch, allowing them to
choose better pitches, to recognize the pitch flight pattern,
and to establish pitch speed and timing. The result of
these elements, therefore, is that the batter improves
his/her overall batting performance by getting more hits,
making better contact, and selecting the best pitch for
the individual's strength. And, when you make better contact
with an increased bat speed, you also hit the ball farther.
Batters
can also get these same benefits by improving their reaction
time - defined as the time it takes from when the batter
finally decides to swing, to when bat reaches the proper
contact point.
The
BatMaxx helps batters understand this exact element. The
BatMaxx provides a signal (Ready, Set, ..Go) to tell the
batter when to swing. After the "Go" signal appears,
the BatMaxx begins timing how long it takes the batter
to bring his bat to interrupt the first laser beam. The
reading is in thousandths of a second and can help batters
understand the impact that compact, quick swing techniques
can have on this key performance characteristic.
One
negative that a batter can have when developing higher
bat speed is that they can actually become slower in reacting
to pitches. The BatMaxx provides both bat speed and reaction
time readings so players can ensure that one doesn't compromise
the other, and that batters can work on improving both
aspects simultaneously.
