We are working on some speed training for both track and baseball.
How is the 60 yard dash for baseball performed and measured?
Is it on a track using running shoes or on grass using cleats? Are official timing devices used?
Should I just stand at the finish line (60 yards) and drop an arm to indicate the runner start?
I want to benchmark the times and measure progress so that I can compare to other baseball player times in the area. I'm looking for a good way to consistently time it.

on grass/turf wearing cleats

some use timing devices, some use stop watches

some go on an arm drop, some go on first movement

most us the starting position as a baserunner would after a lead off, although I have seen some allow a sprinter's start

To get better times paint a line at 60 yards and another one at 80 yards or so. Stop the time at 60 but have them run hard through the second line because alot of people let up a little before they finish without knowing it.

It's on the grass...every scout and college coach I have been around has gone on the runner's first movement and the timing is done with a stopwatch.

Accurate times are on grass, first movement and with a timing device.

The great scouts can get very close to the timing device as far as accuracy, but they are few and far between and there's always the human element involved.

Very few actually use timing devices. In all the scouting events/scout days/PG events, I only came across one timing device and that was at the area code game at long beach.

Timing devices are the standard. Handhelds always leave room for questioning.

Handhelds probably have a + or - .1 variance...I was just stating that very few scouts or coaches I know use timing devices other than stopwatches.

Yep, wasn't denying anything you said. But handhelds are strickly as good as their user. You'll see some terrible recordings with handhelds. The more experienced guys are, of course, better.

quote:

Originally posted by Jon Doyle:
Yep, wasn't denying anything you said. But handhelds are strickly as good as their user. You'll see some terrible recordings with handhelds. The more experienced guys are, of course, better.

Definitely agreed.