Baseline Diamond Academy · Garage Lab
Gauntlet & baseline testing runbook
Dedicated operational framework for high-efficiency baseline testing and quarterly Gauntlet assessments in the Garage Lab. Optimized for high rep density, human-feed execution, and direct tech integration.
1. Technology & hardware
| Testing pillar | Designated hardware | Captured metrics |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive (hitting) | Rapsodo | Max exit velocity (mph) Average exit velocity (mph) Average launch angle (deg) Hard-hit rate (% of swings at or above 80th percentile level EV) |
| Defensive | Pocket Radar & stopwatch / video sync | Positional arm velocity (mph) Average glove-to-hand exchange time (sec across 9 stationary reps: 3 center, 3 glove-side, 3 backhand) |
| Speed & agility | OVR Speed Gates (laser) | 10-yard acceleration split (sec) 5-10-5 pro agility time (sec) |
2. Testing protocols & operational rules
A. Offensive testing (Rapsodo)
- Testing medium: All levels (1–8) are tested exclusively off batting tee and human-fed soft toss (angled, drop, or offset side toss). Pitching machines are zeroed out.
- Rest interval: Mandatory 45-second pause between swing repetitions to preserve CNS freshness and data integrity.
- Max exit velocity: Absolute peak ball speed off the bat recorded during the testing session.
- Average exit velocity: Mean ball speed off the bat across qualifying contact reps.
- Average launch angle: Mean vertical release angle optimized for line-drive barrel trajectories.
- Hard-hit rate: Percentage of total swung reps hitting or exceeding the level’s target hard-hit threshold.
B. Defensive testing (Pocket Radar & exchange timing)
- Testing medium: Standardized positional throw executions measured via Pocket Radar, plus timed glove-to-hand exchange sequences.
- Radar alignment: Radar unit positioned directly behind the receiving target/net, in line with the throw, to prevent cosine angle error.
- Positional arm velocity: Peak radar speed on firm throws into the target net.
- Exchange setup: Player tests from a stationary athletic fielding posture facing the tosser. Nine ball feeds: 3 right at you (center), 3 glove-side, 3 backhand.
- Timer: Starts the instant the ball hits the glove pocket. Stops the instant the ball leaves the throwing fingers.
- Scored metric: Combined average exchange time across all 9 reps.
C. Speed & agility (OVR Speed Gates)
- Testing medium: Laser-timed sprint track inside the Garage Lab layout.
- 10-yard split: Stationary start. Initial burst acceleration and ground-force application.
- 5-10-5 pro agility: Shuttle measuring lateral change of direction, deceleration, and hip motion.
3. Level benchmark matrix (levels 1–8)
Target thresholds required in each pillar to advance to the next rank in the Garage Lab.
| Level | Max EV | Avg EV | Avg launch | Hard-hit rate | Arm velo | Avg exchange | 10-yard | 5-10-5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 mph | 42 mph | 6°–10° | 25% | 45 mph | 0.95s | 2.20s | 6.00s |
| 2 | 58 mph | 49 mph | 8°–12° | 35% | 50 mph | 0.88s | 2.08s | 5.70s |
| 3 | 65 mph | 56 mph | 10°–15° | 45% | 56 mph | 0.82s | 1.98s | 5.40s |
| 4 | 72 mph | 63 mph | 12°–18° | 55% | 63 mph | 0.76s | 1.89s | 5.15s |
| 5 | 79 mph | 70 mph | 13°–20° | 65% | 70 mph | 0.70s | 1.81s | 4.95s |
| 6 | 86 mph | 77 mph | 14°–22° | 72% | 77 mph | 0.65s | 1.73s | 4.75s |
| 7 | 93 mph | 84 mph | 15°–24° | 80% | 84 mph | 0.60s | 1.65s | 4.55s |
| 8 | 100+ mph | 91+ mph | 15°–25° | 88% | 90+ mph | 0.55s | 1.57s | 4.35s |
Record the athlete on the Garage Lab report card. Source: James Mancini, Garage Lab Operation: Gauntlet & Baseline Testing Runbook V2.