What makes a good pitcher?

60 mph . . . not as easy as you think

I've always chuckled at the number of dads who claim their DD's throw in the 60's. Fact is, few kids do. I just corresponded with a friend who is in Boulder, CO at the big 4th of July showcase event with his pitcher DD. Some the best teams in country there and literally 100's of coaches. His DD pitched in a combine today in front of about 75 coaches. She hit 61. Over 100 pitchers were clocked and fewer that 15% hit 60. My DD attended pitching camp at UNC and won the "top gun" award three years in a row while in HS and was never clocked above 62 (after college wt training she added 3 mph) and there were some pretty good pitchers there too.

I remember looking at a website for a guy who had a pitching school down in SC a few years ago. He listed over 30 pitchers throwing 60+. I'm sure that's what his gun said, too. That's a great way to sell lessons. A couple of years later I tried to find those kids on college rosters. I think I was able to find two. There's one D1 pitching coach in the state that I can always get a laugh out of by simply saying "but coach, she throws 60". Bottom line is speed is not over rated but often over estimated!

 

Good pitcher

A pitcher is only as good as the other 8 girls on the field. Take them away and see how many runs she allows. K's, and groundballs are great, but there is no defense for walks.

 

That is so funny!!!

 

You must not have seen Chelsea Leonard. But I guess you do need the catcher; to protect the umpire.

 

A good looking mother!


Just kidding folks.

Hey, actually this thread might make some sense afterall.
I have yet to read one post thus far, and I'll check on what my friends have posted before me, but for what its worth, heres the fishmans take on what make a good pitcher.

And in no particular order.

God given talent
Desire
Positive work ethic
Family support
Team support
Your responsibilty of supporting your own team
Good coaches
Good competition
Bad coaches
Bad competition
Good scorekeepers
Good scorekeepers


Marlin

Good luck
Good luck

 

This is what non-pitcher's . . .

. . . . and their parents want to believe but it's really not true. Case in point Va Tech makes the WCWS with Angela Tincher in 2008 with a very average team. Without Tincher this season they are a .500 team. In our game the team with the best pitcher wins 80% of the time. Sure UT & UT couldn't win with Cat and Monica but they did get to the final four and the pitchers that beat them were pretty darn good. This year Lawrie and Nelson were the two most dominate pitchers in D1 and their team's finished 1 & 2. Like it or not fastpitch is a pitcher's game. It's no accident that college coaches are willing to spend whatever it takes (usually a full ride) to put quality in the circle. Truth is everything else is secondary.

 

I have to agree you. West Johnston lost 7 senior starters last season but with the strength of Lexi Betancourt in the circle West was able to make it to the third round this season. Next season promises a much improved offense to complement the defensive strength.

 

A Good Example

West Johnston has been blessed with some fine pitching the last few years. Betancourt has a bright future. She's a good example of what I'm talking about. Put her on ANY high school team and that team instantly would become a contender.

 

Who ??

Who is your daughter, PM me ??

 

yet another pearl.......!

for those schools who are interested in my daughter that are further down on the list I specifically have asked the coach what they have coming back in the circle. It makes all the difference on the field and in ours is part of the equation in the recruitment process.