What speed is good

Is there a table or chart that tells you what speed a boy should be throwing at what age? For example 14@75, 15@80. At times I would like to think my son is above average but you know how us dad's are. Just wondering on the table

 

every kid is different... physical maturity, mechanics, arm strength, dedication to the craft can all affect a pitcher's development... and none of that guarantees he'll throw 90+ when he's all grown. Some of the hardest throwers at 10 to 12 years old throw "pus" balls when they get older.

Learn to PITCH and let the velo come with experience!

A rough guide...
12 yrs old... 65-68 mph
14 yrs old... 72-74 mph
16 yrs old... 78-80 mph
18 yrs old... 84-88 mph

The guys that are throwing 90+ at 16 and above are freaks. They have been blessed with arms that have magic in them. If they have the head to go with the arm, they will be stars!

 

Thanks Gman. This gives me a good idea where my son stands. Would love to see the 90 but don't know if that will ever happen.

 

GMan is right on. The biggest thing I would concern myself with is he getting better?-- Velo, command, learning a great changeup. Evaluate him after each season and see if he has improved.

If his future is a pitcher, your first priority is to get him to an excellent pitching instructor. If you don't know of one, tell us your area and we will give recommendations. No one has god given pitching mechanics...that is an art that takes continued practice---just make sure he is doing it right from the beginning.

 

Gman...is the man...that is just about what my little brother was threw out and then not only 84-88 at 18 but touching 90. Sometimes something will click for a pitcher and the velo will jump quickly.

 

I would just add, not to get too caught up in velo. Location, command, change of speed/movement, knowledge of the game and mental toughness can carry you far. This combo has worked pretty well for guys...like Greg Maddox. Power is a blessing. But a 93 mph hour ball four is still a walk.

 

Should the velocities listed apply to all positions or just pitchers? In other words, would you expect catchers to throw at those velos as well?

 

Who would you reccomend in the triangle area, I have seen very few people who teach correct mechanics and would like to know someone to take my son to who I can trust.

 

Speed is important, but there is a lot more to it....

Gaining velocity is important and it contributes to a successful result on the mound, but there are other very important elements. Pitchers will never realize their full potential if they crash & burn prematurely due to recurring injuries and avoiding trouble early is key to long term success. From my observations, readings, and listening to those who seem to know:

These things spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for pitchers, if not in the short term, then over time for sure (in no particular order)

1. No committed throwing program that strengthens all muscle groups, tendons, and ligaments for long term usage. Too many young pitchers aren't committed to preparing themselves to be a pitcher, then they overcook it when they come to the field and find themselves in pain or worse....and they can't fiugure out why it never gets better.

2. Short striding. The short strider relies on a quick, jerking arm motion to make up for the lack of lower body exertion as they try to compete. The only way they know to throw harder is to jerk that arm harder.

3. Limited use of major muscle groups. The pitcher who ignores the powerful back muscles and just slings it from an upright position is leaving a lot of velocity on the table. This motion puts a lot of stress on the arm and shoulder and the arm is stopped in its follow-through abruptly by the pitchers' chest. Bending over in the follow through allows the arm to slow down in a less abrupt fashion as it glides past the plant leg and slows more evenly.

4. High elbow during delivery. A frame by frame video analysis will show the path of the elbow during delivery. An elbow that flies above the shoulder during the delivery is a major flaw that will result in injury most every time.

5. Pitching beyond fatigue. Most games don't mean much in the grand scheme of things. Pitchers who are overused in a short period of time or in a given game can go beyond their bodies ability to support their efforts and a physical breakdown occurs. It may not be noticeable at first or seem minor, but in many cases that initial physical breakdown is the first step in a journey of discomfort, compensation, lost performance and ultimately serious injury. Pitchers that are serious about a future in pitching will prepare for the demands of pitching and not compromise their long term health for a short term and meaningless outcome in a game. It gets a lot better when the young pitcher understands and communicates where he is physically with his coach. You gotta love the young pitcher who is prepared for long outings, but knows when to shut it down for the good of the team and his long term health. I wonder how many great pitchers wrecked themselves to win a game no one remembers at a place that is just dust and weeds now.

6. Improper chest rotation. Too many pitchers open up too soon and sacrifice the power of their upper body chest rotation and then to compensate for the loss of velocity they jerk the arm harder. When the plant foot lands the upper body rotation should still be intact and then uncoils powerfully as the hips rotate, vaulting the arm into the throwing motion like a whip.

7. Weak legs. When a pitcher's legs are weak then fatigue comes quickly, particularly in innings with over 20 pitches thrown. The weakness of the foundation breaks the delivery down and the pitcher will revert to overuse of the arm and shoulder to compensate.

8. Too much empahsis on velocity and not enough on control and command. Pitchers that throw hard without control and command usually wind up giving up free bases to walks and hit batters, give up gap shots with runners on base and have high per inning pitch counts. They telegraph their off-speed pitches and those are mostly "hope" pitches. Hitters want to see the good fastball because that is what they are most trained to hit. The power pitcher without control and command gets behind, hit hard and tries to compensate by throwing harder, leading to fatigue and injury

Bottom Line: Prepare to pitch (and that requires a lot of work and dedication year round, with a rest period), pitch fluidly and with guile for maximum effectiveness. Learn that a tap-out to second base off a good changeup on the second pitch of an at-bat is better than a strikeout occurring on the sixth pitch of an at-bat. Get in the proper place mechanically and understand that it requires work to stay there. This pitcher will be a winner and so will his team.
Last edited by Low & Slow; Yesterday at 08:47 AM.

 

Excellent advise and well written.