Is it possible?

No one can predict how much a kid can and will gain in velocity. I repeat no one. Your son will gain velocity from just getting older and stronger naturally. He can gain velocity from a good solid long toss program and strength and conditioning program (core as well). But no one can predict how much , how quick etc. How much will your son grow? Genetics? Mechanics? Work ethic? Some kids work like crazy and grow like crazy and make minimal gains in velocity over a period of time. Some make tremendous gains over one summer and do nothing but fish and hang out. I would not take that approach of course. Some kids are late bloomers they have average arms and make small gains over and extended period of time and eventually have outstanding arms. Some come into HS with outstanding arms for freshman and they leave HS with average an average arm for a Sr. My advice is to not worry about how much you gain as long as you are doing all the right things to build a strong healthy arm. Then in the long run you will know that you have achieved all that you can. Great if you throw 80 but if he only throws 70 but he is getting stronger and building solid mechanics along with a healthy arm you are on the right track. I would be very leery of anyone who told me that they could get X amount in X amount of time. Every kid is different and every situation is different.

While it might be possible to get your son's velocity to this level, the odds are that you will permanently damage his arm in the process.

The problem is that at 13, many boys have the muscles of adults but the bones of children. For one thing, most of their growth plates have not yet closed.

In my opinion, given your son's age (and anyone between 11 and 16), you should be working to protect his arm, not trying to maximize his velocity. What's more, it sounds like your already has everything he needs to be successful.

I guess that is my question--Is it possible to accomplish this without hurting his arm? We would never, never do anything to jeapardize his arm. He is a very strict pitch count imposed by coaches and parents. We have discussed numerous times that at this age it really doesn't matter how stats etc... turn out. What counts is that he learns to pitch to batters and that as he gets older (HS) is when things will get crazy enough. I was just under the assumption that pitchers gain about 4-5 mph per year until about jr./sr. year. Does long toss and running really make that much difference? Secondly, please don't take the comment about the money wrong, I meant from the bet, not from $ his rose-colored glasses mother thinks he can make from being a "pro".

BBFam,
Anything is possible. As the father of a young pitcher I worked with my son to improve his velocity but I did it in a round about way. I devised a few mechanical gizmos and established a workout plan for him that would ultimately lead to an increase in his velocity without damaging his arm. I NEVER selected a specific velocity as a goal but set “improvement” as a goal. While this allowed me to monitor his speed, his success was not based on a radar gun reading. Velocity should never be established as a goal but regarded as a by-product of sound instructions and a good work ethic. He and I spent many hours working on pitching mechanics and pitching lessons. It was all for naught! How does the old saying go? “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry” .... At the time I had no idea I was teaching a catcher to pitch!

Fungo

quote:

...Velocity should never be established as a goal but regarded as a by-product of sound instructions and a good work ethic...

The best words I've read on this subject. Thanks old wise one!

FUNGO

I agree with you but velocity has become the barometer, albeit in my book the wrong one--I want a pitcher not a thrower and a kid can be a pitcher at any age level--that doesn't necessarily happen with a "velocity" (thrower) guy

Fungo and Tr make good points. The velocity goal can be dangerous, and may be taken too young. A good pitcher is one that has taken practice, instruction and talent and combined them to become a pitcher. Velocity is a barometer for scouts looking at high draft picks, but once the velocity wanes, everyone wants pitchers with poise, control, maturity and the ability to get people out. Just get some instruction on velocity training, and don't be afraid to ask the doctor's advice on that type of workout. As this young subject grows he will increase his velocity. With good mechanics, plenty of hard work and instruction, the individual may reach the goal on his own, or maybe not. A careful planned course of action is needed. Good luck.

Happy New Year
Coachric

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!

no way a 13 yr old throwing 80 is 1 in a million. It also depends on other factor if your son is already maturing,has fully matured (it happens to some kids)

and in only a year i highly dought it.

i am 15 and i do alot of work on pitching and i cruise at about 75 i can run the occasional freak pitch at 78 - 82 but never can i consistantly throw in that area.

The way i see it it's a win win situation if your son doesn't throw 80 then you got cash. If he does throw 80 you can count on him being very succesful in baseball.

GOOD LUCK!

How about just making him a better , efficient, and talented pitcher in that time. Velocity is good but control is even better. I will admit that I got into the " he has to throw hard" phase with my son. He did throw hard but he also started walking many batters and having trouble with his pitch count. We worked on some things with his mechanics and what he does now is much better than what he was trying to achieve before.

Every now and then he will reach back and hit low 70's in crucial situations but he has learned that throwing strikes and letting the batter hit the ball to get himself out is much better than trying to throw everything by someone and walking a few.

First, I don't think he can throw that hard in a year. But what our friend (who knows baseball more than me)thinks is that with proper training he will increase that much. As I have said before his mechanics are outstanding. He doesn't pitch like most 12 year olds. He is a very effective pitcher. Just threw a no-hitter to a tough So. Cal team, no ball went out of the infield. He walks on average 1 batter a game, some of those semi-intentional. I am not too caught up in speed, but how much can be gained if you actually work on increasing velocity and continue to maintain mechanics without blowing out his arm? Have any of you everseen a kid gain about 10 mph in a year and a half? Heck, if he is even throwing 75 and still as effective, I will be tickled pink. He's having fun and that is all that matters. This week they are working thier legs skiing in Tahoe for 3 days. Life is rough when you are 12 huh?

not too long ago i broke my forearm on my pitching arm and i threw about mid- hig 60's. I could reach back and get the occasional pitch at about 72. after it healed i had to do rehab to get it back the way it was and then i was cruising NOT TOPPING OUT at 73-76 and now i run the freak pitch at 79-82. I was 14 when i broke my arm and now am 15.

I think it was the hard work in rehab that built my arm back up and the fact that i was probably hitting puberty at the time that made me increase my velocity.

your son is only 12 and high 60's is very good for a 12 yr old and if he is as good as you say why fix what ain't broke.

your 13 y/o kid is not going to throw 80. when i was playing at age 13 i saw ONE kid throw 80plus. this kid was completly dominant. i played about as high of level of baseball as i could at that age as well. this kid COULD NOT be hit. thats one in many many pretty talented kids. if your kid is throwin 70 or above at 13 thats really good. and he can be successful below that. if hes throwin 80...you got a stud. and if your kid is throwin a legit 67 right now you got a nice fastball. i'm currently 17, throwin 80-84 and having plenty of success....
my 2 cents for what its worth, i think i'd put as much money your kid not throwin 80 as the other guy is willing to put down.

Was at a clinic many years ago and was told that to be successful a pitcher has to have 3 things. Location Movement and velocity and in that order of importance.