Why is Vertical Bat Angle important?

Vertical bat angle is an important metric as it provides advanced insights into how much plate coverage the batter has at impact. Vertical bat angle is also important for understanding adjustability in a hitter's swing as it relates to different pitch types and locations. If the Vertical Bat Angle is close to horizontal, the hitter will have good plate coverage on the outside, however they will have difficulty hitting pitches up and down in the strike zone. If the Vertical Bat Angle is too steep, the hitter will have difficulty with plate coverage in terms of consistently hitting outside pitches.

Vertical Bat Angle is an advanced insight as it provides a direct measure of a hitter's ability to adjust to different pitch locations in the strike zone. The most efficient softball swings have a Vertical Bat Angle that is highly correlated to the amount of spinal or torso tilt. In these efficient swings, the hitter will adjust the Vertical Bat Angle by adjusting their posture through their core and upper body early in the swing to produce a bat path that can achieve full coverage throughout the strike zone.