Average Speed for a 12U pitcher?? and Off season prep to get ready for Season,,,,

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Jun 12, 2015
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My experience in travel ball has been average 12U speed is 45mph on the low side to 55mph on the high side. So, average would be about 50mph. Certainly there are outliers, but we are not playing in California PGF either nor playing glorified rec-ball teams.

At 12U some girls are done growing and some girls are just getting started. So I don't think speed parlays 100% into 14/16U. At 12U there are a lot of girls with bad form that can throw hard by sheer athleticism and strength. At the older levels form is going to become more important and (bad) form more difficult to overcome.

I've wondered about some pitchers I've seen in 10U and 12U with really poor mechanics, but obviously very athletic. If they'll be able to get by on athleticism if someone doesn't correct the poor mechanics. There are way too many bad pitching coaches out there setting pitchers up for failure.
 
May 31, 2018
17
3
My girl (12u/'06) has been pitching 2.5 years now, but really pitching in games for 2. She is starting a conditioning regimen with her TB team starting this week so her pitch coach whipped out the 'ol radar gun for baseline before and after. No other speed checks prior. Best fastball (to include correct location, who cares if she missed the spot), was 47 and her curve was 49. Her Pitch coach loves her curve and often calls more than her fastball/change up. she is an '06 playing on '05 team and is #2 pitcher overall. plays most pool games and 1-2 sunday brackets but not starter when/if we reach semi's or finals. I think that is a good status for her now and people need to chill on speeds. We play all, USSSA, ASA, PGF. I have not seen a single 12 or 13 year old that I must point out as amazing and should sign with Florida State! Her pitch coach ( who played D1 as Pitcher out here in Cali) proved a point last night with the radar. She had her throw as hard as she could, and her speed dropped 3mph for each pitch. point was trust mechanics and stay within your lane to hit your spots and spin. you will get your K's/groundouts and popouts.

I've wondered about some pitchers I've seen in 10U and 12U with really poor mechanics, but obviously very athletic. If they'll be able to get by on athleticism if someone doesn't correct the poor mechanics. There are way too many bad pitching coaches out there setting pitchers up for failure.
 
Jan 28, 2017
1,662
83
In the fall 52 was real fast in our area. Now most of the better pitchers are 52 and a few 55. DD is the an 06 and little below the top girls. Probably top pitch is 52 but consistently 48-50. Haven't clocked her since April and was hitting 50 as a high.
 
Jun 13, 2012
90
6
My DD (already committed) plays 16U A GOLD, she is 5'8 and averages 57-59mph game speed but her movement is off the charts with a change up called "filthy" by a College Coach. We play all the biggest teams in south and mid-west and play nothing but the best college invite showcases. In 16U A Gold I Only see maybe half of the girls consistently in the low 60's but they all have great movement and can locate very well. At this level I see girls in the 60's with very little movement get CRUSHED. Yall are placing way too much emphasis on speed, the 12 year olds now already hitting 60 are either big girls or freaks of nature. either way they are very close to topped out for their speed. Better to work more on developing great spin and a "filthy" change up.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
My DD (already committed) plays 16U A GOLD, she is 5'8 and averages 57-59mph game speed but her movement is off the charts with a change up called "filthy" by a College Coach. We play all the biggest teams in south and mid-west and play nothing but the best college invite showcases. In 16U A Gold I Only see maybe half of the girls consistently in the low 60's but they all have great movement and can locate very well. At this level I see girls in the 60's with very little movement get CRUSHED. Yall are placing way too much emphasis on speed, the 12 year olds now already hitting 60 are either big girls or freaks of nature. either way they are very close to topped out for their speed. Better to work more on developing great spin and a "filthy" change up.

Are you saying that at 16yo and standing 5'-8" your DD is topped out at 57-59mph?
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
My DD (already committed) plays 16U A GOLD, she is 5'8 and averages 57-59mph game speed but her movement is off the charts with a change up called "filthy" by a College Coach. We play all the biggest teams in south and mid-west and play nothing but the best college invite showcases. In 16U A Gold I Only see maybe half of the girls consistently in the low 60's but they all have great movement and can locate very well. At this level I see girls in the 60's with very little movement get CRUSHED. Yall are placing way too much emphasis on speed, the 12 year olds now already hitting 60 are either big girls or freaks of nature. either way they are very close to topped out for their speed. Better to work more on developing great spin and a "filthy" change up.

Most of your post is spot on. Not trying to be an rear. You clearly know what you’re talking about. There’s just way too much bragging, and most of it there’s not enough context to know if it’s really anything special. Nothing wrong with being extremely proud and sharing it. Just save it for the brag thread.
 
Jun 13, 2012
90
6
Bragging? Really?? All fact, Proud? Absolutely just using a real life scenario to drive home a point. I pitched fastpitch for the USAF in the 80's and have coached for years. Not trying to impress anyone, could care less- but if my journey can help just one kid then that is what I'm about.

No I do not think DD is topped out @ 57-58. She still has a lot of filling in to do, year and a half ago she was 4-10 so she is a late bloomer. She works hard.
 
Jan 28, 2017
1,662
83
Mostly B tournaments and I have seen one 12U girl hit 55 consistently. I haven't seen many 10U tournaments but clocked one last week at 44 and the next best wasn't close. Played in a few 14U lower tournaments and have 57 was tops. Didn't play in it but saw a 14U girl throwing 63 in the fall and know her dad. He said, she has hit 68 in practice. She is 15 now.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
Bragging? Really?? All fact, Proud? Absolutely just using a real life scenario to drive home a point. I pitched fastpitch for the USAF in the 80's and have coached for years. Not trying to impress anyone, could care less- but if my journey can help just one kid then that is what I'm about.

No I do not think DD is topped out @ 57-58. She still has a lot of filling in to do, year and a half ago she was 4-10 so she is a late bloomer. She works hard.

Sorry, like I said, most of what you said was spot on. The last two sentences just sounded a little over the top since we’re all softball nuts, many with DD’s that were or are in the same boat. Congrats to your DD and good luck in her college career.
 

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