The road to the pros in baseball is often paved with fastballs that top 90 mph. Radar guns to measure the velocity of the ball can cost several hundred dollars, and unless you're a scout on a multimillion dollar payroll, a purchase like that can easily break the bank. Balls that track the velocity on their own are an inexpensive, easy-to-use alternative that can be purchased at most online and retail sporting goods stores.
Models
The majority of the models on the market come in at just a fraction of the price of a radar gun. Most balls range from $20 to $30, with a few coming in slightly under or over that average. Each of these balls look strikingly similar to a regular baseball, and even to the well-trained eye can be mistaken for a standard ball if the LCD screen that displays the miles per hour isn't in plain sight. The balls weigh the same as standard league balls.
Options
The type of ball purchased will determine the maximum speed readout. Some balls will measure speeds as high as 105 mph. Additional options include the ability to select what competition level the ball is being used for. For example, Little League Baseball mounds are much closer to to the plate than those at the professional level. Mound distances vary from as little as 20 feet to as far as 80 feet, depending on the league and level.
Considerations
Some velocity-measuring baseballs have an LCD screen on the side sitting flush with the baseball, but there are some balls in which the screen does not sit perfectly flush with the ball. When this happens, there is a chance that the raised surface will add some additional wind resistance, thereby lowering the speed to less than it would be if it were a normal ball.
Warning
Other than having an LCD screen to display the speed of a throw, all velocity-measuring balls share another trait: the inability to withstand direct impact with a hard surface. Balls should never be hit with a baseball bat or thrown at a hard backstop. They can break and the warranty typically will be void.
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