10/15/2026
Don't be fooled by what you are seeing on these smart mitt back stops. I am seeing some people show that their daughters are throwing 64 mph. In fact, this certain pitching instruction place is showing several young girls throwing in the 60's. While it's possible, it's very unlikely. At 64mph, in high school you are among some elite pitchers. All I am saying is, ask to be clocked with a different Radar device at her normal distance! If your daughter is throwing 64mph, she should be on a really good travel ball team and will most likely dominate in high school.
Smart targets and backstops like the Smart Mitt use built-in sensors or algorithms to track the ball's travel time over a predefined distance to calculate speed. When the system gives a highly inflated number, it is usually due to one of the following setup discrepancies:
Why the Backstop is Misreading
• Incorrect Pitching Distance Settings: If the Smart Mitt software is programmed to calculate a pitch thrown from the regulation 43 feet (high school/college distance), but your daughter is pitching from 35 feet (10U) or 40 feet (12U), the system will register an artificially high speed. Because the ball triggers the sensors much faster over a shorter distance, the machine incorrectly assumes the ball was flying at 64 mph.
• Improper Calibration: Smart training systems require precise initial alignment and calibration relative to home plate and the pitching rubber. If the physical backstop has shifted slightly backward or forward from where the software thinks it is, the timing equations will be skewed.
• The "Pop" or Impact Trigger Glitch: Some smart mats use acoustic sensors or impact triggers to measure exactly when the ball hits the target. If she throws with high spin or hits a particular spot that triggers the secondary vibration sensor early, it can cut milliseconds off the recorded time, tricking the software into showing an inflated number.
How to Fix and Verify the True Speed
1. Check the Distance Profile: Open the companion app for your training equipment. Ensure the "Pitching Distance" matches the exact physical distance from the front of your daughter’s release point to the face of the backstop.
2. Re-run the Smart Calibration: Follow the manufacturer's steps to re-calibrate the system. Make sure the backstop is completely upright and secure; excess shaking or wobbling upon impact can cause reading errors.
3. Cross-Reference with a Radar Gun: To get an undeniable benchmark, borrow a dedicated radar unit. The Pocket Radar Smart Coach is widely considered the gold standard for backyard fastpitch training. Set it up directly behind the backstop (or safely behind a screen) to get a true point-of-release measurement to see which device is telling the truth.
