The Imfamous 60 MPH Pitch

[Izzy's Dad]

Just got back from 14U World Series in KC. DD's team played well, but were knocked out of the tournament on Friday.

Daughter made friends with another team, so we went and watched them play on 2 different days. I saw ligitimate 60 mph pitches from a 13 year old girl. She had said the night before at the hotel that she threw a consitant 60. All I could think was, yeah, whatever. Heard it all before. Then, I watched her pitch. My jaw hit the ground! This was the real deal, and from 40 feet. I was up close and personal both days. Closer than watching live college pitching.

All I can say is.......all you dad's out there who think their 12, 13, 14 year old daughters are throwing 60, you better get a reality check. I sure did, and was blown away. I'm not saying there are not girls out there who can throw 60 at that age, but I think it would be extremely rare. And, if my daughter gets that fast, I will be wearing full catchers gear.

My daughter has a long way to go.

 

[amanda_cake]

She's one in a million, let me tell you. Should have filmed it, I would like to see her myself. You don't come across stuff like that often.

 

[sluggers]

all you dad's out there who think their 12, 13, 14 year old daughters are throwing 60, you better get a reality check.

Why start now?

 

[SoCalDad]

Between DD#1 and #2 I have been involved with TB in socal for over 15 years. In that entire time I have only seen 1 14 ÝO pitcher that hit 60 on the radar in a game situation. Her name was Jennie Finch.

 

[ElmoBlatch]

In that entire time I have only seen 1 14 ÝO pitcher that hit 60 on the radar in a game situation. Her name was Jennie Finch.

Whatever became of that pitcher?

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Yes. Game situation is the key. I had an 8th grader throw one that was 62, last month. She hasn't thrown it since. It was a fluke.

 

[Izzy's Dad]

And this girl pitches what I call the "everything forward" style.

My daughter switched pitching coaches last November. She teaches everything forward, that your body will naturally open/close without the over exagerated forcing open/closed. Her coach had to break her down, and start over. Even had to go over a month before daughter could take the rubber again. But, daughter has come a long way, looks more relaxed and loose when pitching, and is throwing faster. No where near 60 though.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

Seen a girl that turned 15 this summer throw 63 on a good Jugs gun. My Bushnell said 61. She was hummin that ball.

And no it was not my DD, wish it was.

 

[Sparky Guy]

Seen a girl that turned 15 this summer throw 63 on a good Jugs gun. My Bushnell said 61. She was hummin that ball.

And no it was not my DD, wish it was.

I had one of them. At the time she turned 14 she was hitting 60mph regularly. Clocked on a police radar gun I borrowed from a friend. At 17 she was hitting 64mph regularly. When she got to college the speed number was moot. At that level it was movement, location, and change of speed that worked. She averaged 9.5 K's per 7 innings through HS and Travel ball. The college numbers dropped slightly to 7.8 per for a four year average. From the time she was 13 she never threw a fastball in a game. Every pitch was a movement pitch.

Developed a great Rise early it was the K pitch from 14U on up.
Developed a wicked curve ball going into college.
Drop ball was average on a good day.
Change was a killer when it worked. When it was off it was WAY off. Used it mostly to keep good hitters from being too aggressive.
Used the screw heavily senior year in college after the conference teams started laying off of the rise.

Other than the change these pitches would be thrown at various speeds from 55 - 63 mph. That was how she was able to make through a batting order 4 or 5 times in a DH without being killed.

Throw a college player a 65mph fastball and they will gladly deposit it on the other side of the fence.

 

[mcrae]

Wow , my son pitches 48 mph consitant ( softball ) and pitches a baseball 55mph consitant ( baseball ) , he has just turned 12 yrs , Not sure to put him in baseball which is not that big here in New Zealand or keep him in fastpitch softball . I used a jugs & a bushnell gun . I found the bushnell to read 3-4 mph lower than the jugs . 60 MPH is very impressive for a 13 yr old girl !! WHAT DO THEY FEED THEM OVER THERE !!