Am I too old to start?

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Jul 21, 2014
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I'm 14 and I play first base, third base, and in very very very very desperate measures, catcher. And recently I have been wondering about starting to pitch. Is it too late? I am currently playing 14u a a/b travel ball. I just thought it could be something for me to learn and something to help me grow as a softball player. Thanks for any help!
 
Jul 19, 2014
2,390
48
Madison, WI
No, it's NOT too late, although you might not be good enough to pitch on your travel ball team. If you play college or adult club play, by that time you might be a good enough pitcher.

My DD's pitching coach is one of the best men's fast pitch softball pitchers in this area. He stopped playing because he was too old, but the younger players asked him to come back and pitch. He didn't start pitching until his late 30s.

At your age, the best thing for you to do is to try lots of different things, and see what you enjoy. If pitching is fun, stick with it, but realize it could take a few years before you are good at it. If you can deal with that frustration, you will be fine. At worst you may have more sympathy for what the pitchers on your team had to go through to get where they are.

Also, you have one big advantage over the girls who started at the age of 8. You are bigger and stronger and more mature than they were. You will pick it up a lot faster, although their head start will last them for years.

One other thing to realize: in the last Olympics, four graduates of the local college here (University of Wisconsin) competed in the Olympics. Every one of them started their sport in college or even later (3 rowers, 1 triathlon). There is a woman in our neighborhood who has medals from two different Olympics, and she started her sport (rowing) while in college.

I once met a guy who won a world championship in a game he didn't start until he was in his late 20s.

A kid my kids know started playing football in his sophomore year in HS, and had to compete with kids who had played since they were 8. He got a scholarship, the other kids didn't.

No, it's not too late to start pitching. BUT, it is a lot of work. I have a daughter who pitches. I tell her she has two sports: softball and pitching. That means she puts more time into the game than any other girl on her team.
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
It is NOT too late. My three pitching students started when they were 14 and all three are decent pitchers now and well on the road to being good.

Visit this site often and read any and all pitching posts by Rick Pauly, Boardmember, Javasource, and a few others.

Also, I believe the following clip, although you won't understand a word of it, is about as good a visual as you can get for the motions for the beginner.

 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
At 14, yes your behind the majority. However, with the right coach and the willingness to push through, its very possible. As said above you probably wont pitch for your travel team right now, but with enough hard work through the fall and winter you may get some circle time by next spring for your HS and with that experience your travel coach may take notice. The only sure fire way to not get circle time is to not try.
 
Jan 31, 2014
292
28
North Carolina
Bgrubb, if I were sitting across a table from you, we'd talk over some things I think you must consider very carefully and very honestly. What are your ultimate goals for playing softball? HS team, travel? Do you have hopes for playing in college? Is pitching something you feel driven to do, or is it more of a curiosity or mild interest? Does pitching interest you because you just can't get enough of the game or do you want to try it because you feel you're having trouble keeping up in your current positions? If you really want to pitch, is there a good (a really good) coach available? You must have one (and the means to pay him/her). Is there a parent, sibling, or friend who will sit on a bucket for hours upon hours while you learn and practice? You must have this, too. What about your time? Do you have enough? Are you mentally tough? Can you lead a team by exhibiting composure and never letting up, even when you (or your defense) are having a bad day? I don't want to discourage you, but I want you to be realistic. It's not impossible, but the odds are against you (unless you're simply looking for some fun in a local rev league). However, I believe people should pursue their dreams. If pitching at a high level is truly a dream for you, then you should go for it, and with your whole heart. But please be aware of the work that lies ahead of you. It is significant, and you will need to be patient, strong, and courageous.
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
You are 14. You are not too old to start anything. Dive right it and see what you got. maybe you find that pitching is your thing and you develop a passion for it. Maybe you decide it isn't for you. You will never know until you go for it. Don't over think it. Just read the I/R sticky threads in this forum and get to work. You don't NEED a pitching coach right off the bat either. You have all the instructional resources you need to get started on this board. I expect to see some progress young lady so get to work. Chop chop :)

P.s.- You do not need a catcher either. They make life easier, but you can pitch into a practice net/sheet of plywood if need be. A video camera would be really helpful though so you can post videos for feedback on your mechanics.
 
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marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Not too late but it will be challenging.

The hardest part will be getting circle time.

We have 2 girls on our travel team who are 'A' softball players - but 'C' pitchers. They are not going to pitch for our team. It isn't happening - we have at least 2 'A' pitchers and a solid 'B' pitcher.

These girls have a choice - they can either go find a lower level team where they can pitch - but it will be way below their playing level otherwise and even then circle time is not guaranteed - or they can play rec in addition to travel where they will more likely get circle time to develop (which is what we have helped them do as best we can). It is a double commitment for them, but they want to pitch and it is needed to develop their game skills.
 
Feb 26, 2013
166
18
We get asked this question all the time. You don't pick up pitching to just do something different. You have to be devoted to it, and for most, that means some team needs you to pitch. If that is the case, you should devote the next 3 months solid to learning to pitch, using an instructor, and regular workouts. The doing is more important than reading this board. I don't know any pitcher who taught herself that was allowed to pitch on any HS team, never mind a TB team. You could pitch on HS JV team, but it will not be pleasant on the mound, as all new pitchers walk batters, hit batters, and get hit. When you are 10 you can shake it off because no one has expectations, even youself. Now you will.

There is just not enough time to learn on your own.
 
Jul 19, 2014
2,390
48
Madison, WI
Not too late but it will be challenging.

The hardest part will be getting circle time.

We have 2 girls on our travel team who are 'A' softball players - but 'C' pitchers. They are not going to pitch for our team. It isn't happening - we have at least 2 'A' pitchers and a solid 'B' pitcher.

These girls have a choice - they can either go find a lower level team where they can pitch - but it will be way below their playing level otherwise and even then circle time is not guaranteed - or they can play rec in addition to travel where they will more likely get circle time to develop (which is what we have helped them do as best we can). It is a double commitment for them, but they want to pitch and it is needed to develop their game skills.

This is excellent advice. My DD started pitching at 10 1/2, which is old compared to a lot of girls. Frankly, she is a better infielder than pitcher, and also stronger at hitting and base running than pitching. But, she likes pitching, and has potential to be a really good one, at least a starter for her HS varsity team. (Considering that there are two pitchers a couple of years ahead of her playing for a strong regional TB team, the Bandits, and there are several strong pitchers a year ahead of her, she may have to wait until senior year to start as a pitcher.)

So, she plays rec league where she is a star pitcher. She plays on a local TB team, where, when she is in her groove, she is the #1 pitcher (#2 or #3 when out of her groove). She needs the circle time to develop. Some have suggested I try to get her on a strong regional team (like the Bandits or State Line), or a local U14 team. In either case, she probably wouldn't pitch very often, if at all.
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
Regardless of your age, your work ethic and desire will determine the results you achieve.

Your post alludes to becoming a better player... and educating yourself is a great step in that direction, regardless of the level of pitcher you become.

If you desire to be a great pitcher... dedicate yourself to the craft. More often than not, great players seek out great opportunity. Don't settle for average... and use the words of those that say you cannot as motivation to prove you can... it's terribly satisfying! ;)

You stumbled on a great resource here at DFP... read the I/R (internal rotation) stickies at the top of the pitching forum... and don't ever hesitate to ask questions!!!

Wish you the best, ~JS
 
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