How Fast Does DD Throw?

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Apr 23, 2014
389
43
East Jabib
Is this something I should know or track regularly? I've been asked this over and over the last few months and all I can say is "I don't really know". Last time she was radared was during a pitching lesson with Java 2 years ago when she was a 2nd year 10U. Plus, if I did know, I'm not sure I would tell anyone. Doesn't seem like something I think is worth sharing with anyone outside of our circle of PC, DD, and maybe HC if needed.

Plus, I really wanted to get a RevFire to get spin rate, which to me is as critical if not moreso than speed, but won't spend an arm and a leg to get one off of eBay. PocketRadar is expensive and doesn't give spin rate. So for now, I'll just keep saying "I don't really know".
 

osagedr

Canadian Fastpitch Dad
Oct 20, 2016
280
28
"I don't really know" is a great answer.

"Fast enough to get most batters out" if you are feeling cheeky.
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
Lots of answers to this question. Depending on how nice you are/aren't......."none of your business" "Fast enough" "not really sure" "which pitch?"

Seriously though, it would be something good for you/dd/pitching coach to know, so you have a base speed to work from to show gains in speed, and/or difference in speed between fast and change up, or curve ball. Up to you then, if you want to tell people or not.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
It doesn't matter unless you are significantly slower than average for your age group. Velocity doesn't mean a whole lot on it's own.

Much like the 20 yard dash time doesn't equate to a player being a good or poor outfielder.
 
Jan 7, 2014
972
0
Western New York
Is this something I should know or track regularly? I've been asked this over and over the last few months and all I can say is "I don't really know". Last time she was radared was during a pitching lesson with Java 2 years ago when she was a 2nd year 10U. Plus, if I did know, I'm not sure I would tell anyone. Doesn't seem like something I think is worth sharing with anyone outside of our circle of PC, DD, and maybe HC if needed.

Plus, I really wanted to get a RevFire to get spin rate, which to me is as critical if not moreso than speed, but won't spend an arm and a leg to get one off of eBay. PocketRadar is expensive and doesn't give spin rate. So for now, I'll just keep saying "I don't really know".

I'll give you some perspective...from my personal database...some are students of mine, some are girls I've used pocket radar on at local\regional\national tournaments.

9U Pitchers: High: 44; Median 35
10U Pitchers High 49; Median 41
11U Pitchers High: 51; Median 45
12U Pitchers: High: 53; Median 46
13U Pitchers: High 56; Median 46
14U Pitchers: High: 60; Median 50

I don't use "mean" because some girls get radar-itis when I bring out the radar. Also, some girls have 100 pitches tracked and others have 20...

At 10U I could care less about spin rate...you're 35 feet away...speed (should) over come spin at that distance..spin becomes more relevant at 14U as their movement pitches become more important as hitters improve.

My 2 cents...CP
 
Apr 12, 2015
792
93
I track my DDs speed just for keeping track of her progression for myself. I tend to answer "I don't know for sure" when asked. Guesses from others about her speed range from 45-60 (She averages 47 and just turned 12).
 
Jun 29, 2013
589
18
I've got the bushnell gun (wife bought it for me, I really wanted the pocket radar but I'm grateful for this one), and I use it maybe once every 3-4 months just out of curiosity. I try to only use it when DD doesn't see me with it, and I don't tell her what it tells me. FWIW, she is slower than the average that chrispots posted above, but I kind of expected that. She gets by with location and a change up, but its just a blast to see her compete.
 

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
its just a blast to see her compete.
Damn right!

to the OP: I always say I don't know and /or I'll throw out a range that is very conservative that I know she can throw at any given time (last years numbers?)

I'm also asked "What does she throw for pitches?" answer: : "Mostly balls and strikes. beyond that I don't really know."
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I mostly use my Pocket Radar on other pitchers, for fun. I hardly ever clock my own. Her PC does it regularly, with her Bushnell. Her high from full pitch is 48 according to that; 54 high running in. I don't care about speed really. Most of the time when people tell me a speed their kid throws, I know they are totally full of crap anyway. I don't think people lie, I think they're confused on what the speeds really look like. A coach saying he's got a pitcher cruising in the low 50s in 10U...only I clock her averaging at 42-43. That seems to be the norm.
 

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