Velocity vs accuracy

[kbailey45us]

My DD that is a 2012 and been in lessons about a year is consistent in the mid 40's. High 40's on good day. She is accurate and knows how to pitch with placement even if a coach isn't calling the pitches. My question is which is better. Placement at 45-47 or slinging it 50? She uses a fastball and change up which is good and mixes in a curveball here and there. Curveball isn't that consistent so it only comes out when she is ahead. My question is at 10 years old which is more important? Velocity or accuracy? She could throw faster I'm sure but with less accuracy. She has really been doing good lately. My question is should I keep pushing accuracy over Velocity? The different pitches are working their way in.

 

[DNeeld]

The mistake you are making is believing it is an either/or proposition.

 

[Towny9]

The mistake you are making is believing it is an either/or proposition.

@DNeeld is correct. It’s is a sliding scale. The more velocity you have the more mistakes you can get away with. The same goes for movement. At her age I would just make sure she is learning how to pitch (moving the ball in and out, changing speeds, setting up hitters, sequencing, mechanics, etc.). Velocity will come as she gets older and stronger as long as the intent to throw hard is there.

 

[sluggers]

My question is at 10 years old which is more important? Velocity or accuracy?

The more important questions are (1) is she having fun, (2) is she pitching enough innings and (3) is she having success.

The different pitches are working their way in.

Oh boy.

Question: Why do 25YOA MLB pitchers, who have all the time, money and coaches in the world have *at most* two breaking pitches while a bunch of 10 year olds have six?

Answer: The 10 year olds don't. It is all BS. It just a bunch of Daddies sitting around trying to impress each other.

Developing a good pitcher is about incremental improvements in speed and control over a period of years.

 

[radness]

My DD that is a 2012 and been in lessons about a year is consistent in the mid 40's. High 40's on good day. She is accurate and knows how to pitch with placement even if a coach isn't calling the pitches. My question is which is better. Placement at 45-47 or slinging it 50? She uses a fastball and change up which is good and mixes in a curveball here and there. Curveball isn't that consistent so it only comes out when she is ahead. My question is at 10 years old which is more important? Velocity or accuracy? She could throw faster I'm sure but with less accuracy. She has really been doing good lately. My question is should I keep pushing accuracy over Velocity? The different pitches are working their way in.

Hmmm,
She has a pitch with speed and a changeup. Introducing using a curve that isn't consistent yet.

So she actually has some velocity and the ability to take speed off of the pitch.
Which is excellent because controlling velocity is more important than only velocity.
Continue developing both.

Within all pitches location/ accuracy will produce.

 

[LEsoftballdad]

The one thing I don't see in your post is about mechanics. With sound mechanics comes speed and movement. My daughter didn't throw a curve until she was 15, and it's still a work in progress. We focused on mechanics, which helped her get a strong foundation as a pitcher.

I've seen many girls who could throw strikes at 10U but who had bad mechanics. Those girls don't tend to progress. As Sluggers said, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

[Shawn]

Watched the Nolan Ryan movie/documentary. He was never taught mechanics until he was on the Angels. He would spin off badly, very different then his classic finish more like Greg Maddox.

 

[GunnerShotgun]

If throw strikes you are a pitcher and can pitch as long as you would like at some level of softball.

If you throw strikes with velocity you can pitch as long as you like at the upper levels of softball.

 

[radness]

If throw strikes you are a pitcher and can pitch as long as you would like at some level of softball.

✔ and can include colleges.

If you throw strikes with velocity you can pitch as long as you like at the upper levels of softball.

What velocity are you suggesting that is?

 

[CoachJD]

The one thing I don't see in your post is about mechanics. With sound mechanics comes speed and movement. My daughter didn't throw a curve until she was 15, and it's still a work in progress. We focused on mechanics, which helped her get a strong foundation as a pitcher.

Sara Groenewegen told one of my pitchers that she didn't even have a change-up until college.