A/elite level pitcher

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Dec 26, 2010
28
3
Just out of curiosity what does coaches consider an “A”/elite pitcher? Someone you know that is going to K 15 batters a game? Or throws 7 different pitches hit most of their spots and let defense do the work? Or just a high velocity strike thrower when an off-speed pitch and can throw a strike especially when needed?
 
Jul 3, 2013
438
43
All 3 of those could be elite pitchers. If they can pitch a full game and not walk multiple batters.

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Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
It has nothing to do with results or outcome. You could be a crap pitcher facing an even crappier team and get 15k's. That does not make you an elite level pitcher. It has to do with the quality of the pitches you throw, rather than the outcome. The holy trinity of pitching is Command, Movement, and Velocity in that order. An elite level pitcher has demonstrated exceptional ability in all 3 areas. Beyond that there are other qualities such as mental toughness, presence in the circle, and what we call softball IQ that come into play.
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
It has nothing to do with results or outcome. You could be a crap pitcher facing an even crappier team and get 15k's. That does not make you an elite level pitcher. It has to do with the quality of the pitches you throw, rather than the outcome. The holy trinity of pitching is Command, Movement, and Velocity in that order. An elite level pitcher has demonstrated exceptional ability in all 3 areas. Beyond that there are other qualities such as mental toughness, presence in the circle, and what we call softball IQ that come into play.

That's helpful b/c I've seen the same ads on our local Fastpitch Board and there are probably 20 teams right now claiming to be "A" level and looking for "elite" or "bracket-ready" pitchers. Surely, there aren't 20 of them still hanging around this long after tryouts. Finding a 14 year old with all the qualities you listed above would be few and far between. I've seen quite a few at that age with velocity but without good command or only with inconsistent command. And the mental side of it is rough at that age too. It's easy for girls to get rattled and to pull themselves out of a hole. Pitchers are a special breed and I give them major kudos.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
That's helpful b/c I've seen the same ads on our local Fastpitch Board and there are probably 20 teams right now claiming to be "A" level and looking for "elite" or "bracket-ready" pitchers. Surely, there aren't 20 of them still hanging around this long after tryouts. Finding a 14 year old with all the qualities you listed above would be few and far between. I've seen quite a few at that age with velocity but without good command or only with inconsistent command. And the mental side of it is rough at that age too. It's easy for girls to get rattled and to pull themselves out of a hole. Pitchers are a special breed and I give them major kudos.

At this point the A level pitchers have found their teams and those teams posting are all dreaming (I'm on that same board). We plan to play a mostly A schedule this year and we only have one A level pitcher. We have 3 others who will just have to step it up. We're first year 12U anyway, we're going to get killed no matter who's pitching. It's ok, next year our defense will kick butt. lol
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
That's helpful b/c I've seen the same ads on our local Fastpitch Board and there are probably 20 teams right now claiming to be "A" level and looking for "elite" or "bracket-ready" pitchers. Surely, there aren't 20 of them still hanging around this long after tryouts. Finding a 14 year old with all the qualities you listed above would be few and far between. I've seen quite a few at that age with velocity but without good command or only with inconsistent command. And the mental side of it is rough at that age too. It's easy for girls to get rattled and to pull themselves out of a hole. Pitchers are a special breed and I give them major kudos.


As they say it is a journey not a destination. To your point most coaches, especially those that post that they are looking for elite level pitchers would not know little about pitching other than she is the one in the circle in the middle of the filed, and few if any have any clue how to develop one. If your kid is a pitcher you need to find one of two teams:

1) A team with a legit pitching coach that can be part of the effort to develop your DD toward her full potential.

2) A team with coaches that freely admit they know little about pitching and will not muck around with your DD's pitching.

I could fill a book with the stupid comments and actions by ego driven coaches that I have witnessed over the years. Like the one who told Jake she should not throw a riseball because she will never get to college with that pitch. College coaches want pitchers who throw a drop ball. :)
 
Last edited:
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
It has nothing to do with results or outcome. You could be a crap pitcher facing an even crappier team and get 15k's. That does not make you an elite level pitcher. It has to do with the quality of the pitches you throw, rather than the outcome. The holy trinity of pitching is Command, Movement, and Velocity in that order. An elite level pitcher has demonstrated exceptional ability in all 3 areas. Beyond that there are other qualities such as mental toughness, presence in the circle, and what we call softball IQ that come into play.

Great post!! And in my opinion, it is the mental toughness, presence, and IQ that truly separate very good pitchers from elite pitchers. A friend of mine and I often have conversations about those topics. Imagine a basketball game. Your team is down by 2 with 1 second left and a player on your team is fouled. What player do you want going to the line in order to make those two shots? If you are not comfortable placing a certain player in that position, they are not 'elite' in my book.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
Imagine a basketball game. Your team is down by 2 with 1 second left and a player on your team is fouled

The longest minute in the world. The final 60 seconds of a basketball game.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I could fill a book with the stupid comments and actions by ego driven coaches that I have witnessed over the years. Like the one who told Jake she should not throw a riseball because she will never get to college with that pitch. College want pitchers who throw a drop ball. :)

So obviously Jake did very well in college with her riseball and this coach was an idiot, but is there any bias in general against riseball pitchers? Is there anything at all to the idea that college coaches prefer those who throw a drop ball?

When coaches say things like this, I wonder where the heck they get it. Did he maybe talk to one coach one time to had a preference for drop ball pitchers so he just ran with it? I'm so confused when coaches say this kind of stuff.
 

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