Speed progression - for those that have been there

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Sep 29, 2013
112
18
South Central Pa
Questions for those whose DD's have been through high school and into college -

What were her speeds at various ages? Did she plateau and then make a break through?
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
Unfortunately, there is no constant. I've seen girls who could practice against a pane of glass, all the sudden they grow and gain a bunch of speed. Some girls hit their max speed in HS and are unable to raise the pitch speed. Some make steady progress.

As for my DD. Going into her freshman year she was 58-59 in games. By the time she graduated HS she was throwing 62-63 game speed. When she graduated college she was throwing in the mid 60's. While speed is nice. It's the change of speed and movement that proved to be most effective. Especially in college.

The best thing you can do is to NOT compare your DD to other pitchers. Let her develop at her own pace. Not every girl is able to throw 60+.
 
Oct 19, 2009
1,277
38
beyond the fences
Last the college level location is key as most players can hit a fastball in the 60s.
As the pitchers progress, work on location.

As far as the OP- yes, there were plateaus and breakthroughs but this is sound advice:
The best thing you can do is to NOT compare your DD to other pitchers. Let her develop at her own pace. Not every girl is able to throw 60+.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Unfortunately, there is no constant. I've seen girls who could practice against a pane of glass, all the sudden they grow and gain a bunch of speed. Some girls hit their max speed in HS and are unable to raise the pitch speed. Some make steady progress.

As for my DD. Going into her freshman year she was 58-59 in games. By the time she graduated HS she was throwing 62-63 game speed. When she graduated college she was throwing in the mid 60's. While speed is nice. It's the change of speed and movement that proved to be most effective. Especially in college.

The best thing you can do is to NOT compare your DD to other pitchers. Let her develop at her own pace. Not every girl is able to throw 60+.

Agree that you should not necessarily compare one pitcher with another. But while not every girl is able to throw 60+ every girl certainly has that potential. With proper mechanics, average ability, and a strong work ethic 60+ is very attainable.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
What were her speeds at various ages? Did she plateau and then make a break through?

The biggest improvement was from 15YOA to 16YOA. We changed pitching coaches.

In one year, she hit the magical 60MPH, got her drop ball working, and her control became ridiculous (She went something like 40 or 50 innings without walking anyone. She only walked someone because she wanted to.)

This is my best recollection.

14YOA: 52
15YOA: 55
16YOA: 60
17YOA: 61
18YOA: 62
20YOA: 62
22YOA: 64 (max was 67MPH)


It's the change of speed and movement that proved to be most effective.

Only true at the D1 level if the pitcher is throwing somewhere around 60MPH. Osterman, the greatest movement pitcher of all time, was around 61MPH.

The great example of movement is supposedly Greg Maddox. Maddox threw around 85MPH for most of his career...the MLB average is around 90. Maddox was faster than almost all college pitchers.
 
Last edited:
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
Agree that you should not necessarily compare one pitcher with another. But while not every girl is able to throw 60+ every girl certainly has that potential. With proper mechanics, average ability, and a strong work ethic 60+ is very attainable.

I find this interesting. To be honest, by instinct is to disagree since it's not true for throwing a baseball. Not everybody has the potential to throw 90 (or even 80) with proper mechanics. But perhaps that's because throwing a baseball is less natural?

Still, while proper mechanics can certainly allow athletes to come close to their ceiling, every body is different, and I'm not sure 60+ is possible for everyone.
 
Sep 29, 2013
112
18
South Central Pa
Thanks for the comments guys. DD has been stuck at the same speed for some time. Lots of other great stuff happening but frustrating when all coaches want 60+. I have no doubt she will get there just like hearing about others journey for inspiration.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
I find this interesting. To be honest, by instinct is to disagree since it's not true for throwing a baseball. Not everybody has the potential to throw 90 (or even 80) with proper mechanics. But perhaps that's because throwing a baseball is less natural?

Still, while proper mechanics can certainly allow athletes to come close to their ceiling, every body is different, and I'm not sure 60+ is possible for everyone.

I know of 15-16 year old boys that are in the 80's with some pushing 90. IME unless a girl is very small, with very short levers 60mph is certainly attainable. One of my 2020's is 5'-2" and cruises in the high 50's and there is plenty of speed that she is not realizing. She will cruise in the low to mid 60's by the time she leaves for college. I have yet to see anyone in college that could not get to 60 who did not have significant mechanical issues.
 

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