Don't want to brag, son just hit 86

Doughnut ... your boy hit 86mph at 15???? You owe it to yourself to brag! Congrats. Your #1 job, IMO, is to safeguard his arm!!!!!

Good luck to him...

WOW! That is GREAT!
I can hear the door squeaking as it begins to open.
Fungo

Doughnutman - You have a PM!

Doughnutman, my son hit 86 this past summer just before he turned 16. During the fall, he only pitched in a few select events. Obviously, he wasn't in "game shape" when he did it. He wound up having some elbow pain at the end of the fall. It is OK now, but it really got me thinking that 86 is pretty fast and I'm sure puts a lot of strain on the arm. I think this is a time, when you get over 85 mph or so, that arm care and being in condition to throw become even more important. What I have been getting a handle on is really making sure his mechanics are sound and he has been doing plenty of throwing before he gets on the mound for any extensive throwing. Like others have said, I think when a kid gets throwing that hard, be careful and protect the arm. Sound mechanics and make sure his arm and body are in shape. Good luck to you and your son!!

bballman brings up some good points.

Having high velocity at a young age, as great as that is, brings on a whole set of new problems.

Make sure he isn't throwing all arm, if so, you need to make adjustments. And watch the time he puts in on the mound, hard throwers tend to get over used, often.

That's great!I agree with Mr. bballman and Mr. TPM. He'll be likely in Varsity but just make sure to take care of that arm especially at his young age. Proper mechanics is key. He probably has not fully developed yet. I hope he won't be just labeled a pitcher as I know he plays other positions. I would recommend looking for a good pitching coach within your area +/- video analysis to give instant feedback.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
Good Luck!

RR23

Ryanrod23,
That's Mrs. TPM, but hey you didn't know. Just an assumption that dads got the market cornered on baseball knowledge and what is right and wrong, what works and doesn't work.

86!!!
On the lighter side: What does 86 really mean?
velocity

86 at 15 years old?!? Wow, quite impressive. Must be blowing away everbody!

Now the next task is to make sure he can really pitch!

But regardless that velo is very intriguing for a young arm. Good luck!
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How big is he?

Don't know about Doughnut man's kid, mine is around 5'9", 170. He can pitch. In fact his control has always been his forte. Also has a good change and a good breaking ball. He will throw either in any count. I agree, velocity is important, but control is what it is all about. I have seen kids at PG events who throw over 90, but to the backstop. They will get looks as well because of their velocity, but I have always stressed control and hitting your spots to my son. He knows no matter how hard you throw, hitters can catch up to it. You better put it where you want and change speeds to be effective at the higher levels.

donut,
You are bragging, but it is OK.

bballman,
Sorry but as important as control/command is, it is not what it is all about. It is about the mixture of velocity, command and movement and of the three command is the one a pitcher is more likely to be able to develop as opposed to come by "naturally". That's why the ones with velocity and movement get the looks. Fortunately, the reality is that pitchers can improve their velocity, especially earlier on if they work at it. Ask Bum. However, the pitcher who focuses on control and off speed pitches to the detriment of developing velocity is most likely headed toward a dead end. A pitcher can work on both. Ask Bum.

CADad, if you look back, you will note that I said velocity is important. However, without control, you will just walk alot of guys. I agree that movement is also very important. There is no question that velocity is king. Velocity will get you looks. Velocity without control will only get you so far unless you learn how to control your pitches.

Velocity, with control along with movement AND off speed pitches that you have control over will get you anywhere you want to go.

I still say, no matter how hard you throw, at a high level of competition, the hitters will catch up. If you are just chucking it down the middle, it will get hit. I really think pitchers should focus on velocity, but you cannot forget about control/command.

quote:

Originally posted by bballman:
Velocity without control will only get you so far unless you learn how to control your pitches.

Here we go again...

The same can be said of control. It will only get you so far until you have to have more velocity.

Rob, I think that's my point. You must have both. Either one is pretty good up to a point. To get past that point - to the highest level, you have to have both.

If I am playing a mid to low level HS schedule, throwing 90 will get me by. If I am going to pitch at Jupiter, against a line up of the best hitters in the country, I better have both if I really want to be effective.

Having watched one of the best HS leagues in the nation play for a few years I'll tell you that although 90 may have an off day, any pitcher who can consistently throw 90 down the middle will be very successful. Even in a good HS lineup there will typically only be 2 or 3 hitters who can actually handle 90. I remember the kids from our school telling me how they could handle Robert Stock when he was a sophmore because he just threw it down the middle. Then I looked at the stats. They didn't handle Robert Stock.

There are also major league pitchers who don't have great control but just plain throw hard/have great stuff. Schlereth would be an example.

Yeah, they remember the hits they got. They tend to forget they went 4-for-25 as a team!

I do realize that we are in agreement that it takes more than just velocity or just control to be effective.