When does the speed come?

I coach a young 12's team, and have some great kids in the circle. They take lessons, are in charge on the field, and I know they practice.

Since I can't control everything, I pretty much leave pitching mechanics up to their parents and their paid coaches. I know just enough about pitching from this board to see when they lose spin, are aiming, or have funky mechanics. I can usually help them find it when they lose it during a game.

Just wondering if there is an age, or amount of repetition that you think it takes until they really start firing the heat? Three of them are throwing mid 40's and one can hit 48 when she let's it fly without worry of where it goes. I've clocked the older 12's in our area in the mid 50's……

Is there anything that you think I can help with, or do I just need patience?

Consistent practice with attention to the small details.... 12u in the mid to high 40's is average. By next year they all need to be at least 50's to stay competitive. Speed however will only account for a percentage of her success. Spin and location needs to be the primary focus and the speed will come through time and work outs. Do not over look the importance of the change up!!! A good change up will make an average pitcher look good and a good one will be great!

My DD started when she was 11 and was clocked at low 40's. This was with HE style. While it's good in a way to leave the kid's PC's to teach, it might be worth while to check if the kid is using HE or IR. My DD switch to IR early last year. She now throws in the low to mid 50's.
pay attention to the mechanics. Many PC's are notorious for not preaching the right mechanics. My DD started with HE for over a year before we decided to switch.

Is there anything that you think I can help with, or do I just need patience?

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A little bit of both...

With all children but especially girls at this age (12YOA), you need to step back and evaluate their physical maturity level. If they are not physically mature, then patience is needed. A young girl's body will change dramatically over a year or two.

However, there is a correct way to pitch. If you go to any 12U tournament, you'll see about 75% of the pitchers with horrible mechanics. Fixing the mechanics will result in improved speed and control.

I find that the speeds you quote for your girls to be very normal. It depends on how long they have pitched correctly or been in lessons. I had a beginner 11 year old last night that can't hit 25 mph.

Have them pitch smart, knowing what location to hit and make certain that the catchers are also taking lessons. A good catcher makes all of the difference in the world.

Work the change up in until they can throw it at will. And have a plan. I keep telling my students, to know where they want to throw. I am afraid that most of the time, they are just pitching and hoping it is a strike.

Speed will come, but in the meantime, emphasize that there is more to pitching than speed. "Set 'em up and sit 'em down."

Thanks for the reassurance. I think sluggers is right on it… some of the pitcher that are throwing heat do tend to look a little more grown. I check in her quite often to watch mechanics and have recorded our girls using Coaches Eye to help them see whats going wrong.

We have been working locations, and teaching them basics on how to evaluate a hitters weak spots. We've had a great season, but I see the teams that have a fireballer shutting everyone down and wonder if that will ever be us. Probably not.

I suppose it's probably a little boring coaching a team where there's a pitcher and 8 other girls standing around Our defense does get a work out from time to time.

ignition said:

Since I can't control everything, I pretty much leave pitching mechanics up to their parents and their paid coaches.
?

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I wish my kid could play for you.

You are right about how fast the kids this age grow.

There are two U12 TB teams formed from the local rec league. One team was U11 last year, and U12 this year. DD's team is U11 this year.

The girls on the older team look like giants compared to the girls on the younger team. The younger team has a few U10 girls on it playing up, and they seem tiny compared to the U11 girls.

pumpkinbear said:

I wish my kid could play for you.

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The TB coaches in my area have learned not to tread on the territory of the pitching coaches. DD's PC has his own tournament team, and he doesn't mess with the mechanics of any pitcher except his own DD.

HC and AC did make some suggestions to help out DD. I talked to PC, and he agreed. He told her not to rush things, and they do things to get her to slow down and relax. PC and HC have coached some of the same girls over the years, and respect each other.