Set up once.Film every pitch.

What you need

• Your iPhone, with the VeloVision app. It films in 1080p at 240 frames a second.
• A tripod. Any phone tripod works. The phone must not move while you film.
• Something to throw into. A net is best. A dark wall, a tarp or a catcher works too.
• Optional: a tape measure, for a more reliable speed.

Where to put the phone for pitching

Film from behind the pitcher, a little off to one side.

• Set the tripod 5–7 ft behind the pitcher’s rubber.
• Move it about 6 ft toward the pitcher’s glove side. That is the left of a right-handed pitcher, as you look toward the net.
• Turn it a little toward the pitcher, so his release and the spot where the ball lands are both in the picture.

Why off to the side? So the ball shows up right after it leaves the hand, instead of hiding behind the pitcher.

Height and angle

• The lens should be 4–5 ft high. A normal tripod is enough. No need to raise it higher.
• Hold the phone sideways (landscape) and use the normal 1x lens. At 240 frames a second, zooming in only enlarges the picture. It adds no detail.
• Use the level on the screen. Turn the phone until the line turns gold. Pointing a little down at the net is normal.
• Tighten the tripod so it stays put.

Light

• Daylight is best. Slow motion needs plenty of light.
• A bright cage is fine. A dim gym or cage is not.
• If it is too dark, the app tells you before you film.
• Don’t throw into a white or light wall. The ball can disappear against it.

Filming a pitch

1. Set up the phone

   Tripod 5–7 ft behind the rubber, about 6 ft to the glove side, 4–5 ft high, aimed at the net.

2. Tap the net

   One tap on the screen locks focus and brightness.

3. Film the pitch

   One pitch per clip. Tap record, throw, and the app stops by itself. Keep the space between the phone and the net clear.

4. Get the numbers

   The app finds the ball in every frame and shows the speed on your phone. Measure the distance from the lens to the spot on the net for a more reliable speed. Skip it and you still get a speed, labeled Estimate. Movement, spin and release angles are Experimental.

Hitting setup

For a swing, the phone goes beside the hitter.

• Put the tripod beside the hitter, 12–20 ft away, on the first-base or third-base side. The app asks which one.
• Keep the lens about 3–4 ft high, waist to chest.
• Hold it sideways, 1x lens, 240 frames a second.
• Frame it so the hitter’s contact point is about a quarter of the way in from the edge of the screen on the catcher’s side. The ball then crosses most of the picture after contact.
• It does not have to be square to the swing. Point it at the hitter. You don’t need to level it.
• In a batting cage, put the phone inside the cage. Netting in front of the lens hides the ball. If it has to stay outside, press the lens right up against the net.

Hitting numbers are Experimental.

Common mistakes

• Phone straight behind the pitcher. His body hides the ball at the start. Move it toward the glove side.
• The ball leaves the picture before the net. Aim so the whole flight is in view.
• The pitcher is at the edge of the picture. Aim so he is fully in view.
• The phone moves. Tighten the tripod and don’t touch it while filming.
• Too dark. A dim gym or cage won’t work. Use daylight or a bright cage.
• Zooming to 2x. It enlarges the picture and adds no detail. Stay on 1x.
• Filming a swing through netting. Put the phone inside the cage.

Questions?

Write to hello@velovisionbaseball.com. Prices and plans are on the pricing page.