Baseball
Time to plate calculator
Time to plate, or delivery time, runs from the pitcher's first move toward home out of the stretch to the ball reaching the catcher's mitt. Under about 1.3 seconds is generally considered quick enough to control the running game, while over 1.5 seconds gives base runners a big head start.
The rate the video was captured at, not the playback rate. iPhone slow motion is 120 or 240 fps.
From “Pitcher's first move toward home” to “Ball reaches the catcher's mitt”. Use the end frame number minus the start frame number.
Elapsed time
1.30s
- Frames counted
- 312
- One frame lasts
- 4.2 ms
How it compares
- QuickHard for runners to steal on.Under 1.30 s
- AverageRunners can take chances.1.30–1.50 s
- SlowVulnerable to stolen bases.1.50 s and over
How to measure time to plate on video
- Film from the first- or third-base side with both the pitcher and catcher in frame, at 120 or 240 fps.
- Have the pitcher work from the stretch, as they would with a runner on base.
- Step to the start frame: the first movement of the front leg or body toward home plate.
- Step to the end frame: the first frame where the ball reaches the catcher's mitt.
- Enter the frame count and capture frame rate. Compare normal deliveries with slide steps.
Formula
time to plate = frames ÷ fps
Add the pitcher's time to plate to the catcher's pop time to get the battery's total time, then compare it with the runner's time from first move to second base.
Times in frames at common frame rates
| Time | Frames at 30 fps | Frames at 60 fps | Frames at 120 fps | Frames at 240 fps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.10 s | 33 | 66 | 132 | 264 |
| 1.20 s | 36 | 72 | 144 | 288 |
| 1.30 s | 39 | 78 | 156 | 312 |
| 1.40 s | 42 | 84 | 168 | 336 |
| 1.50 s | 45 | 90 | 180 | 360 |
| 1.60 s | 48 | 96 | 192 | 384 |
Common mistakes
- Starting at the peak of the leg lift instead of the first move, which makes the delivery look faster than it is.
- Using different start definitions for different pitchers.
- Timing deliveries from the windup. Runners steal against the stretch, so time the stretch.
- Using the playback frame rate of a slow-motion clip instead of the capture rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good time to plate for a pitcher?
Under about 1.3 seconds from the stretch is generally considered good. Between 1.3 and 1.5 seconds is average, and slower than 1.5 seconds makes stealing much easier.
What is a slide step?
A slide step shortens or removes the leg lift to get the ball home faster with runners on base. It often brings time to plate down to roughly 1.0 to 1.2 seconds.
How do time to plate and pop time work together?
Together they make up the battery's time. If the pitcher's time to plate plus the catcher's pop time is shorter than the runner's time to second base, the runner should be thrown out.
Related terms
Count frames on your iPhone or iPad
KineVision plays video in slow motion, steps through it frame by frame, and includes a stopwatch, angle tools, and side-by-side comparison for coaching.
Download on the App StoreMore tools
Pop Time Calculator
Measure a catcher's pop time from slow-motion video. Count frames from the pitch hitting the mitt to the throw reaching second base, with benchmark ranges.
Frames to Time Calculator
Convert a frame count into seconds and milliseconds at any frame rate. Time ground contacts, reactions, and movement phases from slow-motion video.
Frame Rate & Motion Blur Calculator
See how far a movement travels between frames at 30, 60, 120, and 240 fps, and which shutter speed you need to avoid motion blur in sports video.