Please let me know of any tips / tricks / pointers you have for measuring catcher pop time. I use pop time measurements as the primary feedback for my youngest son. At this time, I try to key off the sound of the ball hitting the glove. How do they do it in the showcases?

Far and away the most accurate way to measure pop time is with a video camera. Just tape a few throws, and play them back in frame by frame. Each frame is 1/30th of a second. When he starts getting it there in under 60 frames, you're golden!

The old stop watch has been and I believe for the near future will be the way showcases will measure pop time. look and listen for the sounds of the ball hitting the catcher glove then the sound of the ball hitting the middle infielders glove. Between those sounds and observing the throw you will have the information you need. Hope this helps.

Actually, I'm pretty sure that Perfect Game uses video cameras to measure pop time. When my son went to his first showcase they had a couple cameras set up during the pop-time drill, and I didn't see anyone out there with a stop watch.

The problem with the stop watch is it is very easy to be off by .1 or .2. That amount of time is really just a blink of an eye, but is a lot of time in a pop measurement.

i guess that if you wanted to make it an exact science you could measure the time it takes from the time it hits the glove to the time the ball is released out of the hand, then multiply it by the velocity the ball was thrown down to second out of the hand subtracted by the amount of velocity decreased as it reaches the second baseman, all divided by 123 and 3/4 inches ...................... or just try to get as close as you can....

cant wait to crush some turkey tommorrow!!

Simple --- measure pop time as the name implies--- use the “pop” (sound). If you rely on the visual stimulus you will anticipate the catch and your time will vary. Use a stop watch and use only the sound of the ball hitting the catcher’s mitt (click watch) and the sound of the ball hitting the glove at second base (click watch) and the pop time will be constant and accurate. Since you’re measuring elapsed time, the stopwatch operator’s reflex time is not a factor because the reflex time on the initial “pop” of the catcher’s mitt will be the same as the reflex time on the “pop” of the catch at second base allowing accurate measurements. You can also video the game and use the same sounds during playback at home and achieve the same results. Have done this many times with my eyes closed -- literally.
Fungo