I am a 14 year old and i am about to be going into high school as a freshman. My fastball clocks out at about 78 and i was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for an off-speed pitch or 2 that i can use without hurting my arm?
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If u are throwing 78 as a freshman that is pretty good. Learn how to throw a good change up. It is a great pitch if your arm motion is the same on both fastball and change up. I started throwing 12/6 curve balls in the 7th grade & i have not hurt my arm. All effective varsity pichers throw curve balls. I think the earlier u learn the better
thanks Rock...........anybody else???
a curve and a change will get you by just fine-i throw a cutter and splitter too but the splitter can be hard on your elbow if you overuse it
If you haven't already learn both Fastballs 2 seam and 4 seam...change ups are very affective
i would definately consider adding a solid curveball, every dominate high school pitcher can effectively use a curveball if in need
78 mph fastball is really good for a 14 year old and will probably get alot of people out with that. But two good off speed pitches would be change-up and curve or change-up and slider.I throw in the low 80's and my change-up causes the batter to hit off the handle to the 3rd baseman.
I strongly suggest adding a solid change-up anda two seamer, a curve is also a good weapon, just remember do not fall in love with that curve ball like most highschoolers do at a young age.
78 for a 14 year old thats pretty good do you top out at 78 or cruise at 78. i would definately add a box change it is very easy to throw and control.
I'm around the same area as you, I clocked in at 79 last summer at a tournement as a 14 year old (Just turned it a few weeks before). I am exicited to see how much harder I can throw next year come game time, I've been working out and getting bigger so only good things can happen. But I say to be good at this age, is just a good 4 seam, 2 seam, and either a palm ball or circle change.
Definitely work on a change-up. if i could go back a few years i would have developed a reliable change earlier that i could throw in any count. also work on a 12-6 breaking ball, but I would hold off on the hard slider until your arm gets stronger, and you're a little more physically mature.
You might also try a splitter
I am a soph and i started playin with it in 8th grade and it is N A S T Y.....just make sure you get comfortable w/ grip and throw it short some before ya try it out in the pen
I am a soph and i started playin with it in 8th grade and it is N A S T Y.....just make sure you get comfortable w/ grip and throw it short some before ya try it out in the pen
I'm the starting catcher on varsity at my high school and still today the best pitch combo in baseball is the fastball, change-up. To add a curve in there would be great. You want to have a good variety for sticky situations!
joekenn21, I am in a simular position to you. I am a lefty freshmen pitcher, throwing a little slower than you are, around 73-75. I asked a coach that very question. The first thing he said is that he knows kids that are D1 players right now and are dominating and they only throw a four-seam and two-seam fastball. Yet, they can move their pitches with near perfect accuracy and aren't afraid to go inside. I personally have started throwing a change-up in addition to the two types of fastballs, and I have found it very helpful. Although, I always pitch best when I can throw on the inside corners with my fastball, in which case I end up barely using my change-up.
Learn how to throw a changeup well and you will dominate. Then learn how to throw a curve for a 0-2, 1-2, 0-0 counts for a chase pitch.
Yeah, fastball-changeup is the best combination in baseball.
change-up is a deadly pitch. Make sure you practice a lot cause it can get away from you pretty easily. I'm a lefty and a 2 seamer is an awesome pitch also.......goes away from righies and into lefties.
Like everyone says, changeup is the best option. As a catcher, I love a pitcher with a good fastball and change. Besides, it feels so good to set someone up with fastballs and then the change just throws them off and strike 3.
I would add though that there are many different grips for a change-up. I would start feeling them out now; you want the grip to be second nature by the season.
Honestly if your a freshmen and have no off speed its fine just throw that fastball just try pitches on your own time playing catch and i mean hey if u get god enough controlling it hey try it in a game. Throw a change up first circle or whatever and just moe up from there.