my son usually sits 85-86. just yesterday he was pitching at a 18-u travel ball game and a couple of local jc coaches were in the stands. of course they were watching and gunned a few pitches but mostly watched (which for him was good cause he throws a pretty good 2 seem with late break). it wasnt like they just held the gun up for every pitch.so of course my son might have got the competitive juices flowing. he was pitching against a supposedly better team threw 1 hit, 1bb, 1 run, in 4 innings and the coaches told him he was consistantly 87-88. both coaches offered for him to come throw a bullpen and or in winterball games. my point is maybe just maybe throwing at max effort verse his normall trying to be precise got him a better look. and it didnt hurt his control either! oh when he left the game the score was 1-1.