What Exit Velocity Do You Need to Play College Softball?
Updated October 2026
Exit velocity is how hard the ball comes off the bat, measured in miles per hour. College softball coaches check it early, because it shows bat speed and strength in a way batting average can’t. Here’s what recruits at each level typically show, by position.
Quick answer
- Most D1 position-player recruits hit 68 to 71 mph or harder at their peak, depending on position; strong D1 hitters reach the high 70s.
- D2 recruits usually start around 64 to 66 mph, and D3, NAIA and JUCO around 62 to 64 mph.
- Corner infielders need the most power; middle infielders and slappers the least.
On this page
- Max exit velocity by level and position
- Why position changes the target
- Average exit velocity matters too
- Bat speed: the engine behind exit velocity
- Tee, front toss or live pitching?
- Age changes the picture
- How to raise exit velocity
- Example: one junior shortstop, three outcomes
- Common mistakes
- How to share exit velocity with coaches
- Common questions
Max exit velocity by level and position
The first number is where a typical recruit at that level starts. The second is a strong recruit.
| Position | D1 | D2 | D3 / NAIA / JUCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shortstop / 2B / utility | 68–76 | 64–71 | 62–69 |
| Catcher | 70–78 | 65–72 | 63–70 |
| Outfield | 69–77 | 65–72 | 62–70 |
| 1B / 3B | 71–79 | 66–73 | 64–71 |
- Below the first number doesn’t rule a player out. Speed, defense and arm can carry more of the profile.
- Above the second number is a real selling point at that level.
Why position changes the target
- First and third base are bat-first positions, so coaches expect the most power.
- Catchers and outfielders sit in the middle.
- Shortstops, second basemen and utility players are judged heavily on defense, range and arm.
- Slappers are judged more on speed and contact than on exit velocity. See the home to first guide.
Average exit velocity matters too
Max is the hardest ball. Average is every ball in a session. Coaches increasingly ask for both.
| Position | D1 | D2 | D3 / NAIA / JUCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shortstop / 2B / utility | 60–68 | 56–63 | 54–61 |
| Catcher | 62–70 | 57–64 | 55–62 |
| Outfield | 61–69 | 57–64 | 54–62 |
| 1B / 3B | 63–71 | 58–65 | 56–63 |
- A high average with a lower max shows a repeatable swing.
- A big gap between max and average often means inconsistent contact.
Bat speed: the engine behind exit velocity
| Level | Bat speed (mph) |
|---|---|
| D1 | 60–67 |
| D2 | 57–64 |
| D3 / NAIA / JUCO | 54–61 |
- Bat speed comes from swing sensors such as Blast Motion or Diamond Kinetics.
- More bat speed with solid contact means more exit velocity.
- Use the same sensor every time so the trend is real.
Tee, front toss or live pitching?
- Off a tee is the most common showcase reading.
- Front toss readings run close to tee numbers.
- Live pitching numbers are usually a bit lower, but coaches value them most.
- Always note how and where the number was measured, with the date.
Age changes the picture
- These ranges describe players at the end of high school.
- A freshman or sophomore isn’t expected to hit them yet. Most players add several mph as they grow and get stronger.
- Being on pace for her class matters more than one number today.
How to raise exit velocity
- Overload and underload bats: 3 sets of 10 swings with each, 3 times a week.
- Med-ball rotational throws: 4 sets of 5 each side, twice a week.
- Strength base: squats, hinges and rows, 3 sets of 5, 2 to 3 times a week.
- Hard-hit rounds: 25 front-toss swings, counting how many reach her goal.
Example: one junior shortstop, three outcomes
| Peak exit velo | Average | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| 72 mph | 64 mph | Inside the D1 range |
| 66 mph | 59 mph | D2 range, close to D1 entry |
| 62 mph | 55 mph | D3, NAIA and JUCO ranges |
- Speed, arm and defense can move a player up or down from here.
- Grades decide which D1 and D2 schools are possible at all.
Common mistakes
- Sharing a single best swing with no date or device.
- Comparing a freshman’s number with senior ranges.
- Chasing max exit velo while the average stays low.
- Training power but skipping game at-bats against good pitching.
How to share exit velocity with coaches
- Put her best verified number and average in the first lines of your email.
- Include the date and where it was measured.
- Link a short swing video from the side and the front.
- Pair it with her home to first time and arm strength.
Common questions
- Is 65 mph exit velocity good in softball?
- At the end of high school, 65 mph is inside the typical range for D2, D3, NAIA and junior college, and a few mph short of where most D1 recruits start. For a younger player it is ahead of pace.
- What exit velocity do D1 softball recruits have?
- Most D1 position-player recruits reach about 68 to 71 mph at their peak, depending on position, and strong D1 hitters reach the high 70s.
- Does exit velocity matter more than batting average?
- For recruiting, usually yes. High school batting averages swing a lot with competition, so coaches lean on measurable tools like exit velocity and bat speed.
- How can my daughter increase her exit velocity?
- Train bat speed with overload and underload bats, build rotational power with med-ball throws, get stronger in the legs and core, and track her average on the same device every time.
More recruiting guides
How Fast Do You Need to Pitch to Play College Softball?Home to First Times for College Softball RecruitsKnow Your Player’s College Softball Level Before You Spend on Showcases and CampsRanges are Softball Future recruiting targets built from published college recruiting guidelines and recent commit data, checked October 2026. They are planning targets, not NCAA standards. Players get recruited above and below them.