Don't remember much discussion recently about the importance of speed variation so thought I'd bring up the subject.
Now understand that what I am talking about is for more advanced pitchers......but it is an important concept to get a grip on early. Remember the old adage about "hitting is timing and pitching is upsetting timing".
IMO an accomplished pitcher will have four distinctively different speeds. I'll give an example of what those might be:
Dropball------63mph
Riseball-------58mph
Offspeed Curve-----50mph
Change up-----44mph
With a speed range like this and the four different pitches there will be very few batters that you don't have an answer for.
When is the right time to put some focus on this....always the big question. Advanced 16U pitchers should be working on this and definitely any pitcher thinking of a high level college career. Another plus is that some young ladies may not be destined to throw 70 mph, but they can be extremely effective with 63 mph and speed variation.
Now understand that what I am talking about is for more advanced pitchers......but it is an important concept to get a grip on early. Remember the old adage about "hitting is timing and pitching is upsetting timing".
IMO an accomplished pitcher will have four distinctively different speeds. I'll give an example of what those might be:
Dropball------63mph
Riseball-------58mph
Offspeed Curve-----50mph
Change up-----44mph
With a speed range like this and the four different pitches there will be very few batters that you don't have an answer for.
When is the right time to put some focus on this....always the big question. Advanced 16U pitchers should be working on this and definitely any pitcher thinking of a high level college career. Another plus is that some young ladies may not be destined to throw 70 mph, but they can be extremely effective with 63 mph and speed variation.