What constitutes a A,B or C Level Pitcher at the 14/13U Age Group?
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For my Region:
A = 55+, Fastball, Changeup, and at least one good Breaking pitch (drop, curve, rise, etc)
B = 50+, Fastball, Changeup
C = 45+, Fastball
seems about right.
curious to see other responses, from other regions...
A = 55+, Fastball, Changeup, and at least one good Breaking pitch (drop, curve, rise, etc)
B = 50+, Fastball, Changeup
C = 45+, Fastball
seems about right.
curious to see other responses, from other regions...
- May 17, 2012
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From an A level coaches perspective at 14u I value pitchers as follows (in order of importance).
1. Ability to throw strikes (the ability to throw balls and strikes on command, no walks);
2. Ability to move the ball on command (movement pitches);
3. Endurance (how many quality pitches can you throw in one game, day, and weekend);
4. Ability to field the position;
5. Mechanics;
6. Speed (how fast they throw).
So for an "A" pitcher they will be able to check off and do well at all 6 things. "B" pitchers can probably do half of them pretty well all of the time. "C" pitchers struggle being consistent with any of them.
Just my opinion.
1. Ability to throw strikes (the ability to throw balls and strikes on command, no walks);
2. Ability to move the ball on command (movement pitches);
3. Endurance (how many quality pitches can you throw in one game, day, and weekend);
4. Ability to field the position;
5. Mechanics;
6. Speed (how fast they throw).
So for an "A" pitcher they will be able to check off and do well at all 6 things. "B" pitchers can probably do half of them pretty well all of the time. "C" pitchers struggle being consistent with any of them.
Just my opinion.
JJsqueeze
Dad, Husband....legend
For my Region:
A = 59+, Fastball, Changeup, great accuracy and at least one good Breaking pitch (drop, curve, rise, etc) OR B but can really bend it
B = 55+, Fastball, Changeup, great accuracy OR A but with just good accuracy
C = 50+, Fastball, good accuracy or A but pretty wild and gets into trouble but strikes her way out of it sometimes or B but with ok accuracy
Basically a top level pitcher has great speed, two good pitches and great accuracy. A second level pitcher has 1 or 2 out of three of these things, the average pitchers have 1 or none of these things
A = 59+, Fastball, Changeup, great accuracy and at least one good Breaking pitch (drop, curve, rise, etc) OR B but can really bend it
B = 55+, Fastball, Changeup, great accuracy OR A but with just good accuracy
C = 50+, Fastball, good accuracy or A but pretty wild and gets into trouble but strikes her way out of it sometimes or B but with ok accuracy
Basically a top level pitcher has great speed, two good pitches and great accuracy. A second level pitcher has 1 or 2 out of three of these things, the average pitchers have 1 or none of these things
JJsqueeze
Dad, Husband....legend
oops forgot fielding her position- good input Gunner. Add in great fielding ability and it bumps a pitcher up a notch.
- Jun 7, 2013
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But if the pitcher is good enough she doesn't need to field her position.
Actually... if she's "good enough", she probably has to field her position MORE.
(think increased mis-hits, bunts, etc.)
- Nov 18, 2013
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14U A - Mid 50’s to low 60’s with ability to hit spots more often than not OR mid 50’s and hits corners consistently. Moderately effective changeup and developing movement pitch.
14U B – Low to mid 50’s. Ability to throw strikes without consistently throwing over middle of the plate.
14U C – Lucky to hit the broad side of a barn.
This would go for our area and also what we saw nationally. We saw VERY few pitchers that could throw 60 or that had much movement at that age. For most girls different pitches were simply different grips.
FWIW using the three definitions above the two D1 commits from DD’s 14U team at the time would both be B level pitchers and we placed top 5 at ASA Nationals.
14U B – Low to mid 50’s. Ability to throw strikes without consistently throwing over middle of the plate.
14U C – Lucky to hit the broad side of a barn.
This would go for our area and also what we saw nationally. We saw VERY few pitchers that could throw 60 or that had much movement at that age. For most girls different pitches were simply different grips.
FWIW using the three definitions above the two D1 commits from DD’s 14U team at the time would both be B level pitchers and we placed top 5 at ASA Nationals.
So three pitch innings means the pitcher isn't good?
- Oct 22, 2009
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14u C = Can get it over the plate, 40mph will place you high C.
14u B = 45mph+, can move the ball around and have a change-up.
14u A = High 40's, has control of 3 good pitches+
14u B = 45mph+, can move the ball around and have a change-up.
14u A = High 40's, has control of 3 good pitches+
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