Acceleration in High School Baseball: 10 yard Sprint Times by Age

In part one of this Speed in High School Baseball series, we delved into the significance and data surrounding the 60-yard dash as it pertains to baseball. While the 60-yard dash is the historical benchmark for baseball players, what about shorter sprints that better reflect explosive movements?

Why the 10-yard Dash?

Whether it’s the first three strides out of the batter’s box or an infielder’s initial steps to chase a ground ball, those first 10 yards can be critical. Moreover, while the distance between bases is closer to 30 yard, the initial burst can often be the difference between a safe call and an out. The best way to time this is by buying laser timing gates.

Analyzing the 10-yard Data

Again, let’s reiterate that the data we’re about to dive into is not typical. These are athletes at the top of their game for their age and striving to reach their peak potential in the sport. Starting from age 14, the average 10-yard dash time begins around 1.8 seconds. By age 18, this drops to about 1.6 seconds. The elite, those destined to shine on the diamond, are already approaching the 1.5-second mark or even better. At the NFL combine 10-split, the fastest time in 2023 was 1.40, so you can consider this the highest end of speed. Everyone on the leaderboard was sub-1.5.

The regression analysis for the 10-yard dash times paints a vivid picture. With age categorized by months, we can see an even more detailed progression. These micro-improvements highlight the importance of every training session and every month of developmental growth. Overall, <1.7 is fast for a 14 year old, <1.6 for a 15 and 16 year old and <1.5 for a 17 year old.

Once again, the data suggests that there’s still potential for speed improvement post-18. As these athletes move to college ball and eventually the pros, their training regimens, diet, and access to top-tier coaching could help push these 10-yard times even lower.

The Bottom Line

The 10-yard dash, though not as traditionally acknowledged as the 60-yard sprint in baseball circles, is arguably a more practical metric for the sport. The start is crucial. Whether you’re trying to beat out an infield single or react to a hot shot off the bat, the initial 10 yards can be the defining distance.

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Next, check out high school exit velocities by age.