Baseball (pitcher)?

Question

My names Matt and I am 14 years old turning 15 in december. I curenntly throw about 74-76 mph. Is that average for my age or is that above average for my age group? I also can throw a 12-6 curveball on a good day which is my put away pitch.

What is there I can do to gain my veloicity on my fastball?

Answer 1

Don't mess too much with the curve. A guy at your age can do real damage to your arm throwing that pitch. Focus more on locating your pitches, maybe incorportate a nice hard slider.

Speed of your pitches will come as you further refine your technique and build strength. Don't overthrow though. For strength exercises, research Roger Clemens' workouts.

Answer 2

Your velocity is good. You are young, and will be surprised how much stronger you get over the next few years.

I pitched in highschool and a bit in college. A few pieces of advice, for what it's worth:

1. Be careful with the curve at a young age. Actually, a curve ball thrown the right way shouldn't hurt your elbow (and there is no wrist action as most will lead you to believe). But, I haven't met a 15 year old that knows how to throw a curve the right way, and seriously doubt you do either. Don't worry about throwing the curve at your age though. You can win consistently with a good fastball, and good changeup. And, these days, it will impress people if you have a good changeup at the age of 17 because most don't. In high school, you can start developing that curve.

2. Get instruction from a pitching coach. Most HS coaches think they know what they are talking about, but most don't. Maybe your are lucky and yours will. If you're family has the money, go to a baseball/pitching summer camp for a week. If not, no sweat.

3. More important than a curve - work on your location. If you can throw 75 on the inside corner, and follow it up with a 60 mph changeup down and away, you are going to get a lot of people out.

4. Don't overconsume yourself with strength, it will come. Mechanics are more important frankly. I had a friend in college who was skinny, and otherwise fairly weak (the guy couldn't lift weights to save his life). He threw a 95 mph fastball, because his mechanics were impeccable.

5. Always remember, balance, repeating the identical motion and wind up, are most important. Your windup should feel comfortable. And your legs in pitching are just as important as your arm.

Have fun. Baseball is a great sport.

Answer 3

Warren Spahn Cy Young Walter Johnson Roger Clemens Sandy Koufax

Answer 4

Velocity is more about technique combined with strength. Pedro Martinez used to hit the high 90's earlier in his career and his is 98 lbs. soaking wet, so you don't have to be the biggest guy to have the heat.

Listen to your coaches, if they tell you to back off the curve, do it. Curve balls put a lot of pressure on the elbow, and are best if you wait till your pitching coach knows you are ready for the arm strain.

Remember that velocity, while big isn't the main thing in getting to the bigs, or even a college scholarship. Location and changing speeds is. If you can locate and have several varying speed pitches in your arsenal, you can get outs, and that's all that matters. Look at Armando Benitez, throws 98 to 100 mph on a strait fastball, but gives up lots of blown saves and HR's vs. El Duque, who thros a low 80's fastball and a high 50's, low 60's change and curve, he keeps batters way off ballance and they can't get lumber on the ball solid. Or Tom Glavine, who lives on the corners, throws in the mid 80's and has 290 regular season wins.

Trust me, changing speeds, and location are what it's all about.

Answer 5

Be careful throwing the curve at your age. Just don't throw it to much. You don't want to mess up your arm.
Leg work is important for a pitcher. Just look at Roger Clemons. Strong legs are important . Good luck with your pitching.

Answer 6

Its about average I am 12 and I can throw 60mph but if i was you i would stop throwing the curveball untell you are 16.

Answer 7

lets assume yo are six feet tall. you typically step 3 feet 3 inches plant and throw. if you can increase that two feet and keep your elbow low you can have better control, fewer elbow problems and you will hit ninety MPH.....but you need to be limber like a female ballerina. with a longer stride kinetic energy travels up you leg through the hip twist and ultimately increases arm whip. PS add a circle change......

Answer 8

it's above average. if you have good control, you should be in good shape. don't overwork yourself to gain velocity, it will come with growing up. I'd suggest putting a change up into your arsenal, and try to make that your out pitch.

Answer 9

running---running.
The legs- kill the legs kill the body.
Clemens works his legs by running and strength building.

your speed won't come from arm but from power of your legs.