Speed of pitchers

[AM Softball]

We keep missing the original post, how many pitches should a 12 have and avg speed. Obviously, there are so many different opinions, different pitching coach methods and no "right" way to teach. Every kid is different, coordination level, work ethic and abilities all vary and just because your DD throws/threw 3, doesn't mean if another DD can throw five or six that they are bragging, pumping their team/kid or a liar.

I think it's safe to say that 3-4 pitches seems to be the avg, but I think if a kid has more than that, that's okay too.

Mowatt's fingers were taped up and hurting from throwing the curve so many games, and had to rely on that AWESOME change-up. Mowatt also throws a drop and rise. She didn't just use the CU after a set-up pitch either, I watched her throw 5 straight, 3-in a row for K no set-up at all - batter just froze watching all the way. It was a beautiful thing to watch!

Also, everyone is rght about movement. No point in throwing a pitch if it doesn't have the correct spin or movement; if it doesn't move correctly you can take it off your pitch list or keep working it until it does...

I believe 12u's are avg 50-55 Maybe a few hitting 56 -58 on like 1 or 2 pitches but not consistently. Most top pitchers 53-55.

[Sam]

AM,

I have a DD that pitched...I have also coached travel ball for10 years.

My DD's pitching coaches were: Don Sarno, Mike Smith, Dave Lindsey, and Butch Reyes.

[Iron Ballls]

AM,

I have a DD that pitched...I have also coached travel ball for10 years.

My DD's pitching coaches were: Don Sarno, Mike Smith, Dave Lindsey, and Butch Reyes.

Sam-Who did you prefer of any of the listed coaches? Isn't Mike Smith getting up in age? heard he was not taking any new pitchers. Dave lindsey? Isn't he in the same building as MS?

[Clean_up]

We keep missing the original post, how many pitches should a 12 have and avg speed. Obviously, there are so many different opinions, different pitching coach methods and no "right" way to teach. Every kid is different, coordination level, work ethic and abilities all vary and just because your DD throws/threw 3, doesn't mean if another DD can throw five or six that they are bragging, pumping their team/kid or a liar.

I think it's safe to say that 3-4 pitches seems to be the avg, but I think if a kid has more than that, that's okay too.

Mowatt's fingers were taped up and hurting from throwing the curve so many games, and had to rely on that AWESOME change-up. Mowatt also throws a drop and rise. She didn't just use the CU after a set-up pitch either, I watched her throw 5 straight, 3-in a row for K no set-up at all - batter just froze watching all the way. It was a beautiful thing to watch!

Also, everyone is rght about movement. No point in throwing a pitch if it doesn't have the correct spin or movement; if it doesn't move correctly you can take it off your pitch list or keep working it until it does...

I believe 12u's are avg 50-55 Maybe a few hitting 56 -58 on like 1 or 2 pitches but not consistently. Most top pitchers 53-55.

I agree, although I've seem some kids throwing below 53 (50-52) who hit their spots and with great movement who are pretty successful at this age as well.

[Sam]

AM,

I have a DD that pitched...I have also coached travel ball for10 years.

My DD's pitching coaches were: Don Sarno, Mike Smith, Dave Lindsey, and Butch Reyes.

Sam-Who did you prefer of any of the listed coaches? Isn't Mike Smith getting up in age? heard he was not taking any new pitchers. Dave lindsey? Isn't he in the same building as MS?

All are excellent coaches. Dave is the best I've ever seen with younger girls and he teaches the same mechanics as Mike.

I really liked Don, who I believe is the most knowledgeable pitching coach I have ever seen. He teaches multiple grips, spins, release angles....and thats just rise balls....very impressive to look at the wall in the building with pictures of Don working with Lisa Fernandez and Cat Osterman. A genuinely nice and patient man. He taught my DD to throw different pitches that put less stress on her injured shoulder...helped her play longer.

[Popsof4]

In-doors as an 11 year old (40ft), my kid throws 55-57; rarely higher. Outdoors, likely 53-54 has 2 pitches that work real good, the rest are unpredictable. Throwing heat at times allows her to get away with minor mistakes and weaker hitters, other than that if she's throwing hard to a good hitter it can get ugly.

I have not seen any 11-12 year with 3 good pitches let alone 6-8 and I have seen all these alleged top dog pitchers.

[jofus]

An 11 year old pitching 57 mph with a 12" ball? That's pretty impressive, I don't think I saw a 12U pitcher this past summer pitching over 57, even the ones that were 12 or 13. One or 2 that may have beat it by 1 or 2 mph occasionally, but few and far between.

Of course, that's in the mid-Atlantic area, so that could explain it....

[Popsof4]

Although having a strong arm is nice (I do see the difference versus throwing in-doors and out-doors) it doesnt make her or any pitcher good. It's a great starting point though.

[rbi]

The hardest throwing pitcher at the 12U ASA nationals last year that I saw was from Texas Kruzers, she was prob in mid to upper 50's on occasion, and when she could find the plate she got rocked with very little movement

[blackjack21]

I've been down this road so I think I'll put my 2 cents in. Sam knows his stuff. He is an old school warrior when it comes to softball. My DD is a pitcher, pretty good I think. Pac-10 freshman team, Pac-10 honorable mention, and top 5 in all pitching stats. When dad's tell me their DD has 5-6 pitches and she's only 11 or 12 I just smile, because I know she probrably on has command of 2. My DD started out with 3 pitches. All thru 10's and 12's. A peel drop( she thru hard and the drop spin was natural, a change up, and a palm up side cut style curve,that's it. The drop in and out was the set-up, the curve and change were the out pitch. She mastered those 3 pitches untill she could just about throw them blindfolded. At 14's she added a screw, and at gold she added the rise ( she skipped 16's). I believe Sam drew us MG Hopkins at the SO. CAL STATE QUALF. in 2002. DD did not throw alot of pitches but she gets it done. Speed come from becoming comfortable and mastering your pitches. By the way she tops out at 71mph now.