How many walks in 12U ?

There was no mention of the pitcher slowing down to throw strikes. I agree if a pitcher is letting off in order to throw strikes, she is destined for failure. We weren't discussing delivery, we were discussing walks.

The original question was - how many walks at 12U? 5 walks is too many regardless of speed. I have seen many 12U pitchers throw 45 using good mechanics w/minimal walks, and be extremely successful. Granted, defense was good. I will also argue that 12U pitchers that throw 55 get hit just as hard - and 5 walks will cost them the game.

I'll give you the 55 pitcher w/ 5 walks per game. I'll take the 45 with 1-2 walks. Given equal defenses and comparable offenses, it would be interesting to see the outcome.

Point is - walks change the game and you really see it starting at the 12U level where walks tend to equal runs scored, and offenses can't make up for it.

For what its worth.

my take

I would have to agree more with rick pauly about building speed then fine tuning mechanics. I think a 12u moving up to 14u would never even give her defense a chance if she isnt at or above 50 mph.
My own dd is at 50 or very close to it. It has been a yr. since she was gunned at a tryout, which was last sept. with the speeds being in the 45 ish range. Throughout this yr, she has had quite a few games with more than 5 bb's and still average more than 10 k 's per game. I do hate the freebies but I always have been pushing speed until this yr. Now that she is around 50 mph, it is time to really refine the mechanics and work the corners.
If a pitcher cant hit the 50 mark, just how effective will the change up be. Any well disicplined hitter will crush a change up the is coming in under 40 mph.

jmho

I dont doubt that there are occasionally girls out there who occasionally hit 55 at the 12 u bracket, but from my observations they are very very few. I see girls pitching under 50 for the most part & doing very well if they keep the walks down. I think a girl who throws 45 with pretty decent control & a change up will at least give her team a chance to win the game, & a good 50 mph pitcher will dominate an awful lot of hitters.

We shoot to keep it under 4 walks/game per the pitching coach....good goal, not always met.....DD is in the mid/high 40's on the fastball with the change about 30-35.