The use of radar guns at athletic events, particularly in baseball and tennis, has been controversial. These handy devices enable spectators to determine the speed of a pitch or serve, allowing avid fans to feel more involved in the sport. But while others say that depending on radar gun figures is overrated, athletes and their coaches know better.
In today’s sports climate, radar gun results can make or break a career.
For years, Radar Sports, LLC has aided schools and sports organizations in honing their athletes’ skills in throwing, pitching, serving, and hitting balls. We carry top-quality, USA-made brands like Sports Radar, Stalker Radar, and Jugs. A sports speed gun has become invaluable to the training of baseball and tennis players because of the accurate velocity measurements they produce.
Speed is a Value, Not an Estimate
In baseball and tennis, speed is everything. The faster the ball flies, the straighter it goes, and the higher the chance of a strikeout. The use of a sports radar gun is vital in these cases because even if seasoned coaches and fans can determine ball speeds within a narrow margin of error, velocity is not an estimate. Rather, it has a precise measure of value.
Benchmarking is Necessary for Training
In training, trainers use radar guns to determine if an athlete has the makings of a star baseball pitcher or an ace server in tennis. These devices have become essential for benchmarking performances and determining feasible speed goals.
An athlete’s speed readings factor heavily into his or her training program because it indicates if certain techniques work for them or not. Improvements in radar gun readings indicate player-technique compatibility. Meanwhile, unchanging stats would suggest the need for adjustments.
This very purpose of radar guns refutes other people’s argument that these devices are overrated, and that the skill of an athlete — especially a baseball player — is not summarized in its findings. Radar guns, in fact, help athletes determine the areas that need improvement.
The Instigator of Harder Throws
With speed being the most important thing in baseball, it’s unsurprising that players are throwing harder than ever even if they’re at higher risk of injuring themselves. Statistics show that fastballs hitting three digits on radar guns tend to result in strikes. Plus, quite simply, they’re pretty awesome to watch.
Sports analysts predict that baseball players will continue to throw harder in the coming years. Players like Aroldis Chapman, whose fastball average was 100.4 mph in 2016, and Michael Kopech, whose 110 mph throw in APEC went viral, stay in the game much longer than players who average only 80-90 mph.
The Radar Gun Factor’s Effect on All Sports Levels
Since radar guns have now become more available in the market, the use of radar guns has also penetrated amateur baseball leagues. Supportive parents who hope their kids would one day break into the Major Leagues are now buying radar guns to help them train at home. Middle and high schools across the country are doing the same (and buying more training equipment, besides) to train their athletes and draw the attention of college scouts.
Given these trends, it’s safe to assume that radar guns are here to stay. If you are an athlete, trainer, or administrator of a sports team, take a look at our radar guns at Radar Sports, LLC. We offer a wide range of sports speed guns, including for baseball, tennis, softball, hockey, soccer, car racing, and more.
View our inventory and contact us for questions.