Pitching velo

[SunnySkies]

My daughter is pretty discouraged with her progress in velocity. At 12u she was throwing 53 and now 16u she's 57 and has been stuck there for about 2 years and some days it looks like she's not even throwing that. I'm at a loss on what to do. She strength trains and has a personal trainer. Do some girls just never get over that hump? Does this mean her dream of pitching in college is doomed? Any advice?

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[LEsoftballdad]

The truth is some girls peek early while others develop late. It could be mechanical. Have you considered a different pitching coach? I've seen plenty of girls who can succeed at 57 MPH in HS and travel. Are they pitching at D1? Probably not, but we saw a steady dose of 54-58 at the D3 level this season. If she spins the ball we'll, that can go a long way towards helping her achieve her goals.

 

[Rolling Hard]

What does her pitching coach say???
You could post video here and there are experts here that may have suggestions.

 

[benjey]

Agree with LEsoftballdad and would add that my DD definitely saw some high 50's at the D1 level this year. Generally not a team's #1 pitcher but kids who could spin it really well and they all seemed to have a good change up to keep hitters off balance and unable to sit on one velocity

 

[LEsoftballdad]

To add to my earlier point. I have seen a lot of girls who threw 62+ who can't throw strikes. It's not all about speed.

 

[Tatonka]

Don't get too wrapped around the axle regarding her speed. Continue to focus on great mechanics, spot, spin and changing velocity at will. Her max speed will likely pick up with time and she can have great success without throwing 70.

 

[_MIA_]

Just from a pure velocity perspective she needs to either (or a combination of all of them) improve her:

a)mechanics
b)strength
c)parents( genetics for throwing..I am sure you are a fine person otherwise)

The people here might be able to help you with a) if you post a video.. If you had posted a video of DW 17+ years ago they may have been able to help you with c)

 

[wheresmycar]

My daughter is pretty discouraged with her progress in velocity. At 12u she was throwing 53 and now 16u she's 57 and has been stuck there for about 2 years and some days it looks like she's not even throwing that. I'm at a loss on what to do. She strength trains and has a personal trainer. Do some girls just never get over that hump? Does this mean her dream of pitching in college is doomed? Any advice?

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Once they stop growing, the "easy" speed increases you saw in 12u and 14u end. Then it becomes more about technique, strength and agility.

Long toss and more long toss....

Focus on arm whip

If you have been with same pitching coach since 12u, a different voice might be worthwhile.

There are almost 1700 Colleges, Universities and Junior Colleges with softball programs. Many of these will be very happy to have a pitcher throwing in upper 50s.

State	NAIA	NCAA D1	NCAA D2	NCAA D3	NCAA All	NCCAA	NJCAA	Other	Grand Total
Alabama	4​	10​	7​	2​	19​		14​	1​	38​
Alaska									0​
Arizona	3​	3​			3​		13​		19​
Arkansas	4​	3​	6​	2​	11​	1​	4​		20​
California	10​	21​	17​	8​	46​			84​	140​
Canada, British Columbia			1​		1​				1​
Colorado		2​	9​		11​		5​		16​
Connecticut		7​	4​	7​	18​				18​
Delaware		2​	2​	1​	5​		1​		6​
District of Columbia		3​		3​	6​				6​
Florida	8​	12​	13​		25​	1​	23​	1​	58​
Georgia	9​	6​	14​	5​	25​	1​	8​		43​
Hawaii		1​	3​		4​				4​
Idaho	1​	2​	1​		3​		1​	1​	6​
Illinois	9​	12​	4​	21​	37​		34​	5​	85​
Indiana	12​	10​	4​	7​	21​		1​	1​	35​
Iowa	11​	4​	1​	11​	16​		11​		38​
Kansas	15​	2​	5​		7​		21​		43​
Kentucky	12​	7​	3​	4​	14​				26​
Louisiana	1​	10​		2​	12​		3​		16​
Maine		1​		10​	11​			2​	13​
Maryland	1​	7​	1​	7​	15​		8​	2​	26​
Massachusetts	1​	7​	4​	38​	49​				50​
Michigan	10​	6​	6​	8​	20​		17​	1​	48​
Minnesota		1​	9​	18​	28​		6​	9​	43​
Mississippi	3​	6​	2​	2​	10​		15​	1​	29​
Missouri	12​	5​	14​	4​	23​		10​		45​
Montana	2​	1​	1​		2​		2​		6​
Nebraska	7​	3​	3​	1​	7​		5​		19​
Nevada		2​			2​		1​		3​
New Hampshire		1​	3​	4​	8​			2​	10​
New Jersey		7​	4​	15​	26​		5​	6​	37​
New Mexico	1​	2​	3​		5​		1​		7​
New York		20​	13​	54​	87​		11​	12​	110​
North Carolina	2​	14​	18​	8​	40​	1​	10​		53​
North Dakota	4​	2​	2​		4​		4​		12​
Ohio	7​	11​	11​	22​	44​		5​	3​	59​
Oklahoma	8​	3​	11​		14​		9​		31​
Oregon	6​	3​	2​	5​	10​			6​	22​
Pennsylvania	2​	12​	22​	58​	92​		6​	12​	112​
Puerto Rico			2​		2​			6​	8​
Rhode Island		4​		4​	8​			1​	9​
South Carolina	6​	10​	12​		22​		5​		33​
South Dakota	4​	2​	4​		6​				10​
Tennessee	7​	11​	10​	3​	24​	1​	10​		42​
Texas	8​	19​	13​	15​	47​		30​		85​
Utah		6​	1​		7​		2​		9​
Vermont			1​	4​	5​				5​
Virginia	1​	9​	3​	15​	27​		6​		34​
Washington	1​	2​	3​	3​	8​			18​	27​
West Virginia	1​	1​	14​	1​	16​		1​		18​
Wisconsin	3​	2​	1​	22​	25​	1​	2​	1​	32​
Wyoming									0​
Grand Total	196​	297​	287​	394​	978​	6​	310​	175​	1,665​

 

[Cannonball]

I'm sorry I can't help you. My dd was throwing 60+ at age 8.

 

[ANNASDAD]

If you have been with same pitching coach since 12u, a different voice might be worthwhile.

As much as it may pain you and your DD....this!! Made a HUGE difference with us, and I absolutely loved our first pitching coach! It really sounds like you're stressing over nothing at this time!