Measurables Guide
What College Coaches Want to See — By Position and Level
Why Measurables Matter: College coaches use measurables as the first filter. Before they watch video, before they come to a game — they look at numbers. If your numbers meet their thresholds, you get on the list. If not, you don't. It's that simple for the initial screen.
Charlie's Current Measurables (March 2026)
1.91
Pop Time (Hand-Timed)
USSSA All-Star Games, July 2025
.610
Batting Average
7th Grade School Ball, 23 games
TBD
Exit Velocity
NEEDS TO BE MEASURED
TBD
Home-to-First
NEEDS TO BE MEASURED
TBD
Overhand Throw Velo
NEEDS TO BE MEASURED
TBD
60-Yard Dash
NEEDS TO BE MEASURED
Priority #1: Get exit velocity, overhand throw velocity, and a laser-timed pop time. These three numbers are what catcher recruiters look at first. Hand-timed pop times are typically 0.1-0.2 seconds faster than laser — so her real pop time may be closer to 2.0-2.1 right now, which is still solid for a 7th grader.
Catcher Measurables — What Each Level Requires
These are the benchmarks college coaches use to evaluate catchers. Charlie should aim to hit the D1 Mid-Major numbers by freshman year and D1 Power 5 by sophomore year.
| Measurable | D1 Power 5 | D1 Mid-Major | D2 / NAIA | D3 / JUCO | Charlie Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop Time (laser) | 1.60 - 1.75 | 1.70 - 1.85 | 1.80 - 1.95 | 1.90 - 2.05 | ~1.91 (hand) → ~2.0-2.1 laser est. |
| Overhand Throw Velo | 62+ mph | 58-62 mph | 54-58 mph | 50-54 mph | TBD |
| Exit Velocity (off tee) | 65+ mph | 58-65 mph | 52-58 mph | 48-52 mph | TBD |
| Home-to-First | 2.8 - 3.0 sec | 3.0 - 3.2 sec | 3.1 - 3.3 sec | 3.2 - 3.5 sec | TBD |
| 60-Yard Dash | 7.5 - 8.0 sec | 8.0 - 8.5 sec | 8.3 - 8.8 sec | 8.5 - 9.2 sec | TBD |
Note on Pop Times: Hand-timed pops are ALWAYS faster than laser/electronic times. Coaches know this. A 1.91 hand-timed is approximately a 2.0-2.1 laser-timed. ALWAYS report which method was used. Using laser times builds credibility. The USSSA All-Star pop was likely hand-timed — which is still very good for her age. She'll need to get that down to sub-1.80 (laser) by sophomore year for D1 Power 5 interest.
Hitting/Offensive Measurables — By Level
| Measurable | D1 Power 5 | D1 Mid-Major | D2 / NAIA | D3 / JUCO | Charlie Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exit Velocity (tee) | 65+ mph | 58-65 mph | 52-58 mph | 48-52 mph | TBD — GET THIS ASAP |
| Exit Velocity (live/BP) | 60+ mph | 55-60 mph | 50-55 mph | 45-50 mph | TBD |
| Batting Average | .350+ | .320+ | .300+ | .280+ | .610 |
| OPS | .900+ | .800+ | .700+ | .650+ | 1.754 |
| Strikeout Rate | <15% | <18% | <22% | <25% | 5.8% |
Charlie's Offensive Numbers Are Elite: Her batting stats are off the charts for any level. A 5.8% strikeout rate is exceptional plate discipline. A 1.754 OPS is power + on-base combined at an insane level. As competition gets harder (high school, then showcase events), these numbers will normalize — but the foundation is incredible. Coaches will want to see exit velocity to validate the bat speed behind these numbers.
How & Where to Get Official Measurables
Pop Time (Laser-Timed)
- Best Method: Pocket Radar Ball Coach or Stalker Pro II at a skills session or camp
- Where: College camps always measure this. You can also go to a catching lesson at a facility with proper equipment.
- How it works: Timer starts when the ball hits the catcher's mitt, stops when it hits the fielder's glove at 2nd base.
- Tip: Do at least 5 throws and take the average of the best 3. Video each one as proof.
- Frequency: Re-test every 3 months
Exit Velocity
- Best Method: HitTrax, Rapsodo Hitting, or Pocket Radar behind an L-screen
- Where: Indoor batting facilities, college camps, or D-BAT / Extra Innings type facilities
- How: Hit off a tee (most standardized), then off front toss, then live. Record all three.
- Tip: Warm up fully before testing. Do 10-15 swings off tee, take highest consistent number (not one max fluke).
- Frequency: Re-test every 2-3 months
Speed (Home-to-First & 60-Yard)
- Best Method: Laser timing system (FinishLynx) or electronic timing gates
- Where: Showcases, camps, or rent electronic timing gates ($30-50)
- Home-to-First: From batter's box, swing, run through first. Timer starts at contact, stops at bag.
- 60-Yard: Sprint from a standing start. Timer starts on "go," stops at 60-yard mark.
- Tip: Speed is the hardest measurable to improve but has the biggest impact on recruiting. Even small gains matter.
- Frequency: Re-test every 3-4 months
Throw Velocity (Overhand)
- Best Method: Pocket Radar or Stalker Pro
- Where: Any lesson or practice with a radar gun. Many travel coaches have one.
- How: Full overhand throw from catching position to 2nd base, measured at release.
- Tip: Different from pop time — this measures raw arm strength. Pop time includes footwork + exchange.
- Frequency: Re-test monthly during season
Facilities Near Hartselle, AL for Measurables
| Facility | Location | Services | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-BAT Huntsville | Huntsville, AL (~25 min) | HitTrax, batting cages, lessons | Best option for exit velo testing. Call and schedule a HitTrax session. |
| Extra Innings Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | Hitting/catching lessons, cages | Good for lessons + measurable testing |
| The Cages at MidCity | Huntsville, AL | Batting cages, instruction | Newer facility, check for tech availability |
| Alabama Softball Academy | Birmingham area (~1 hr) | Full training facility | May be accessible through Mustangs connection |
| College Camps | Various | Full measurable testing included | UNA (Florence), Alabama A&M (Huntsville), Athens State are close |
Charlie's Target Progression
Realistic improvement targets by grade level. These assume consistent training.
| Measurable | Now (7th) | 8th Grade Target | Freshman Target | Sophomore Target | D1 Ready |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop Time (laser) | ~2.0-2.1 | 1.95 | 1.85 | 1.75 | 1.70 |
| Exit Velo (tee) | TBD | 52+ | 56+ | 60+ | 65+ |
| Throw Velo | TBD | 52+ | 55+ | 58+ | 62+ |
| Home-to-First | TBD | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| 60-Yard Dash | TBD | 8.8 | 8.3 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
Beyond the Numbers — What Coaches Evaluate in Catchers
Technical Skills (Film These)
- Receiving/Framing: Quiet hands, ability to steal strikes on borderline pitches. This is the hottest skill in catching right now.
- Blocking: Balls in the dirt — proper technique, fearlessness, keeping balls in front.
- Footwork: Quick transfer from receiving to throwing position. Feet are everything for pop time.
- Throws to all bases: Not just 2nd — show throws to 1st (pickoffs), 3rd, and back to pitcher.
- Pop-ups: Mask off, locate, catch. Quick and controlled.
Intangibles (Coaches Watch For These)
- Leadership: How she commands the field, talks to pitchers, controls the pace of the game.
- Toughness: Takes a foul tip off the mask, shakes it off, gets back in position.
- Game IQ: Calling pitches, positioning fielders, knowing the situation.
- Hustle: Sprint to back up first on groundouts. Run to the mound between innings.
- Attitude: Positive body language even after errors or bad calls. Coaches watch this closely.
- Coachability: At camps, do you listen and implement feedback? This is a huge factor.
Measurables Tracking Sheet
Print this out or copy to a spreadsheet. Update every time you get new numbers.
| Date | Pop Time | Method | Exit Velo (Tee) | Exit Velo (Live) | Throw Velo | Home-1st | 60yd | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | 1.91 | Hand | — | — | — | — | — | USSSA All-Star Games |
| [Next Test] | ||||||||