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by Gerald Warner, Softball Pitching
Instructor
Pitchers, parents, and coaches often ask
what the typical pitching speed is for a pitcher of a certain
age. Since girl pitchers in various communities and
different regions of the U.S. have different abilities and
experience, and play at a variety of levels of competition, there is
not a specific answer that will work for everyone.
Here,
however, are some of my observations and
suggestions:
(1)
Average pitching speed by age varies substantially from region to
region. Warm weather states in the U.S. (southern California,
Arizona, Texas, Florida, etc.) offer athletes
the opportunity to practice and play their sport outdoors the year
around. Therefore, we have seen consistently that
average pitchers in those areas have faster average speeds
than their counterparts in colder weather
regions.
(2)
Pitchers, pitching coaches, and parents all like to brag about
their pitcher's "60 mph fast ball". It is a nice goal,
but obviously speed alone doesn't make a successful
pitcher. Here is an unpopular statement from me, but
the truth nonetheless: In most cities, considerably less than
5% (and sometimes only
1% or 2%) of all teenage pitchers
consistently hit an "honest" 60 mph in
games.
(3)
From what we have seen and experienced, an average
pitcher in most parts of
the U.S. would have
pitching speeds somewhat like this for her
age:
11-years old - High
30's to Mid
40's
12-years old
- Low 40's to Upper
40's
13-years
old - Mid 40's to Low-50's
14-years
old - 50+
Average high school
pitcher - 53-57
mph
Again, these are NOT
recommendations...just what we have seen from girls of all
sizes, in a variety of leagues and competition
levels, in various parts of the U.S.
(4)
Radar guns and other speed measuring devices vary CONSIDERABLY in
accuracy. An $800 Jugs speed gun is accurate to within
½ of a mile per hour. But obviously, a $20
softball with an LCD speed readout, or a bucket that measures
speed, or an $89 radar gun...none of those should be expected
to be close that kind of accuracy.
(5)
Some pitchers tighten up and slow down when they see a radar
gun. It is natural to think that "I have to pitch
harder" when she sees a speed gun behind the catcher.
"Trying" to throw hard often means tighter muscles and slower
pitching.
Relax!
(6)
Pitch speed MIGHT be slightly slower when there is a batter at the
plate. The majority of pitchers tend to be more conservative
in a game than in practice...practice pitches are often faster
than in a game situation.
Do you want to reprint this article
or use it on your website or in your
newsletter?
As long as it is not for profit,
our only requirement is that you first notify us, then include the
following sentence:
Article by Gerald Warner of
PitchSoftball.com
and include a reference to this
website: www.pitchsoftball.com
If
you have questions or need more information
E-mail us, or call Pitching Instructor Gerald Warner in
Colorado at (720) 200-4575
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