Just wanted some input on my daughters pitching progress. She is 9 and started pitching about 9 months ago and she only throws a fast ball but not everypitch has the same ball rotation so she gets alot of different movement from pitch to pitch. I have not figured out how she does it but the coach said not to try and fix what comes natural as long as she is throwing strikes. Her speed ranges anywhere from 43 to 46 with a few 35 to 38 mixed in there. I have been told she looks good for as long as she has been doing it so it make me proud of her. She has her ups and downs but she really works hard and wants it bad. I want to start having her learn fifferent pitches but I dont want her to lose her natural spin either. I will post video as soon as I can, any input good or bad will be appreciated.
9 year Old Pitcher
- Thread starter jlob
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46 would be extremely fast for a 9yo. I would get a pocket radar, so that you can check that for yourself. Believe it or not, pitching coaches exaggerate a girl's speed, even more than dads do.
So, lets say that she is throwing 35 mph - that would be very normal. That would be from 35 ft. and an 11 inch ball. I don't teach any other pitches either. It is difficult enough, just learning to hit your spots and the corners and getting a little speed on the ball. Then, you have to learn the game, too and learn to hit.
Most folks that I work with don't even want to try a change up, because they are afraid that the batters will hit it. But, I would rather the girls learn it, and learn how to use it.
Some parents ask me to wait until the girl moves to the big ball and 40 feet, because I have to teach the same thing all over again.
So, if you are happy with your PC, then support her. You can still try new things with your DD just to make the work outs, fun.
So, lets say that she is throwing 35 mph - that would be very normal. That would be from 35 ft. and an 11 inch ball. I don't teach any other pitches either. It is difficult enough, just learning to hit your spots and the corners and getting a little speed on the ball. Then, you have to learn the game, too and learn to hit.
Most folks that I work with don't even want to try a change up, because they are afraid that the batters will hit it. But, I would rather the girls learn it, and learn how to use it.
Some parents ask me to wait until the girl moves to the big ball and 40 feet, because I have to teach the same thing all over again.
So, if you are happy with your PC, then support her. You can still try new things with your DD just to make the work outs, fun.
- Oct 22, 2009
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I agree with Amy 46 is extremely fast for a beginner 9yr old.
I agree with your PC to a point, if she's really throwing that fast and getting different spins and movement I wouldn't fuss over it much either. That being said, if she's doing something unusual with her lower arm and hand position at release that might want to be addressed.
I have a 10yr old. She's my fastest at 46mph, she was tilting her forearm out from her body at release at getting under the ball a little with her fingers to try and pull the ball back over the plate and was producing a wicked little spin, but I wanted to address that, and get her arm back down to her leg.
I agree with your PC to a point, if she's really throwing that fast and getting different spins and movement I wouldn't fuss over it much either. That being said, if she's doing something unusual with her lower arm and hand position at release that might want to be addressed.
I have a 10yr old. She's my fastest at 46mph, she was tilting her forearm out from her body at release at getting under the ball a little with her fingers to try and pull the ball back over the plate and was producing a wicked little spin, but I wanted to address that, and get her arm back down to her leg.
- Apr 11, 2013
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I don't know that 46 is unheard of for a 9 year old. My 9 year old played travel ball at 10U as an 8 year old last year, she's a big kid for 4th grade...about 5"0" and 120lbs. She has been clocked as high as 47 and is consistently around 45, and she still has, what I consider serious mechanical flaws in portions of her finish. She also throws a knuckle-change and plays with a flip change. She also has an older sister that is a pitcher that throws 59-60 consistently and won't be 14 until July.
I'll post a video of the younger one, and all of you can see the flaws, but one thing she can do is throw hard.
The reason I'm responding...I've approached pitching a little different than most. Both DD's focused on one thing and one thing only through 10U and that is speed. Learn to throw strikes with as much speed as you can, don't take something off to find the strike zone. Obviously with the proper mechanics, but the number one goal is to throw hard. Spins can always be learned, just one bucket dads opinion.
Keep the speed no matter what.
I'll post a video of the younger one, and all of you can see the flaws, but one thing she can do is throw hard.
The reason I'm responding...I've approached pitching a little different than most. Both DD's focused on one thing and one thing only through 10U and that is speed. Learn to throw strikes with as much speed as you can, don't take something off to find the strike zone. Obviously with the proper mechanics, but the number one goal is to throw hard. Spins can always be learned, just one bucket dads opinion.
Keep the speed no matter what.
Getting different spins on the same pitch means she doesn't understand how the ball is coming off her fingers and IMO should be addressed. 46mph seems a bit high for me as well, especially when she has inconsistent releases. My best 9 yr old student who I've had since Sept. just hit 40 mph last week but typically cruises at about 38mph.
Her pitching coach actually used radar and clocked her at 43 and I got 43 to 46 from doing the the math by timing from release till it hits the glove and doing the math. I am not saying she can hit that speed everytime but she has got up there. I would say she can hit it maybe 50% of her pitches. She can hit spots as well she still has her streaks where she will get wild and walk a couple hitters but then she will go on a roll and get out of it. We face alot of 10 year old pitchers in out tournaments that throw 50 to 52 and very consistent, there is one 9 year old we face alot who is 5'10" that throws 50 on radar. I was kind of thinking the same as far as different pitches, I just don't want her confused on grips and releases right now.
- Feb 26, 2013
- 166
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Timing a pitch is not like timing the pop time to second base--for the short time and distance,it is wholly inaccurate and can lead to wide variance in results. HS freshman are around 50-53. And I have seen a lot of them. So let's be real.
- Feb 26, 2013
- 166
- 18
Timing a pitch is not like timing the pop time to second base--for the short time and distance,it is wholly inaccurate and can lead to wide variance in results. HS freshman are around 50-53. And I have seen a lot of them. So let's be real.
Average Speed of FastPitch Softball Pitches by Age Group
Average Speed of FastPitch Softball Pitches by Age Group
I will bet you anything you want to bet that your dd doesnt throw 43 or 46 mph....No doubt. If so ..SHOW ME! Get your radar fixed!
18u TB
My # 1 fastball is 56.
The other 2 are 48-52 fastball.
All with my radar gun.
If you have seen a 9 yr old that can throw 50, I'd pay money to see that.
She'll be the 1st 9 year old to sign a letter of intent.
My # 1 fastball is 56.
The other 2 are 48-52 fastball.
All with my radar gun.
If you have seen a 9 yr old that can throw 50, I'd pay money to see that.
She'll be the 1st 9 year old to sign a letter of intent.
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