Decoding Fastpitch: Understanding Average Pitching Speeds in NCAA Softball

While the dream of playing Division 1 (D1) softball captures the hearts of many high school athletes, the path to collegiate softball success involves understanding the softball measurables that college coaches prioritize. Only a small fraction of high school players, about 1.6%, make it to the D1 level, but numerous opportunities exist across other divisions, NAIA schools, and junior colleges. This article breaks down what coaches look for, particularly focusing on the pivotal aspect of pitching speed, and how aspiring athletes can realistically assess and improve their game.

What College Coaches Look For

College softball coaches assess players based on a range of athletic skills, including arm strength, accuracy, speed, fielding range, and hitting ability. While softball recruiting guidelines offer a general overview, coaches also consider intangibles, body language, and attitude. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has developed standardized testing measurables to evaluate athletic ability on the softball field. These include:

Fastball Velocity (for pitchers): Throwing the fastest pitch multiple times and recording the velocity with a radar gun.
Changeup Velocity (for pitchers): Measuring the speed of off-speed pitches.
RPM (for pitchers): Measuring revolutions per minute (RPM) and velocity of curveballs or other movement pitches.
Pop Time (for catchers): Measuring the time it takes to throw to second base.
Overhand Throw Velocity: Measuring throwing speed over a distance.
Ball Exit Speed (off bat): Measuring the speed of the ball as it leaves the bat.
Pro Agility Shuttle: A test of agility and speed.
20-Yard Sprint: A measure of speed from home plate to first base.
Vertical Jump: A measure of explosive power.

The Importance of Pitching Speed

Pitching speed is a critical factor for softball pitchers aiming to compete at the college level. Pitching speed can make all the difference for a good high school or youth player looking to take their game to D1. College coaches try to project how much success potential recruits will have at the college level. The game is much faster at the college level.

Understanding Pitching Speed by Age

"Pitching speed by age" refers to typical in-game fastball velocity ranges for each youth division (10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U). However, it is not a strict rule, as players develop at different rates, and ball size and pitching distance change by level. Competition context also matters.

Division rules scale the game to the athlete. For example, 10U uses 11″ balls at 35′ to support control and safety. As distance increases and the ball changes, maintaining or gaining speed requires better mechanics, strength, and timing.

Read also: SAT Requirements for LSU

Velocity: More Than Just a Number

While velocity is important, it's not the whole story. Recruiters want pitchers who miss barrels with command to the edges, a real change-up (15-20 mph slower), and at least one movement pitch with late break. The progression should be "mechanics → consistency → strength → speed." Younger ages should prioritize repeatable motion and strike-throwing, adding strength and plyometrics progressively, and introducing movement pitches only when the arm can support the spin without compensations.

Pitching Speed Benchmarks

To help pitchers understand what benchmarks they should reach and when, Rapsodo created a Softball Pitching Averages by Age Guide. This guide was created by analyzing and averaging out metrics from over 9 million softball pitches thrown by girls and young women ages 11-pro.

Here's a general overview of average pitching speeds at different levels:

Youth Level (10-14 years): 40-50 mph, with top performers reaching 50-55 mph.
High School Level: Most varsity pitchers throw between 52-58 mph consistently. Top pitchers reach the upper 50s to low 60s, with elite prospects touching 62+ mph.
Division 1 Level: The average D1 softball pitch speed is around 63 mph or faster. Top D1 pitchers regularly throw in the mid-to-high 60s, with elite arms occasionally touching 70 mph.

Softballpitchingtools.com states that “speed demons” do get recruited, meaning any pitcher that consistently hits 63+ miles per hour in a game is bound to get noticed. The average pitching speed for college softball ranges from 58-65 miles per hour, taking all divisions into consideration.

Bases Loaded Softball lists the following for each division’s average college softball pitching speed.

Read also: Decoding Princeton Admissions

Factors Influencing Pitching Speed

Several factors influence a pitcher's ability to throw at higher velocities:

Age: Young women develop more gradually than men, leading to a more gradual progression of throwing ability.
Mechanics: Correct mechanics are crucial for safe and efficient pitching.
Strength: Lower body strength and core strength are essential for generating power.
Technique: Perfecting pitching form can significantly increase speed.
Training: Specific drills and exercises can help improve pitch speed.
Gear: High-quality gear, such as compression sleeves, can provide support and improve performance.

How to Improve Pitching Speed

If you're looking to increase your softball pitch speed to reach D1 levels, you'll need a comprehensive approach. Here are some tips:

Perfect Your Mechanics: Even small flaws in pitching form can rob you of significant speed.
Build Lower Body Strength: Pitching power starts from the ground up.
Focus on Core Development: Your core transfers energy from your lower body to your upper body.
Develop Arm Strength: Arm strength still matters.
Incorporate Specific Drills: Use drills to improve leg drive and synchronize the lower and upper body.
Utilize Velocity Training: Mix in velocity training in workouts.

Sample Drills and Exercises

Walk-Through Drill: Teaches girls to use their legs better and synchronize the lower half of their body with their upper half.
Jump Drill: Repeat jumping and landing, then exploding forward through the pitch to teach the body to be fast through the feet.
Toe Presses: Strengthens the muscles that stabilize the ankle during the pitching motion.

The Recruiting Process

The recruiting process for college softball can begin as early as 7th or 8th grade for D1 programs. D2 coaches start their recruiting slightly later, while D3 and NAIA programs typically contact sophomores and juniors.

Key Steps in the Recruiting Process:

Build a Network: Lay the groundwork by building a network of college coaches.
Showcase Your Skills: Test your softball measurables at camps and showcases.
Contact Coaches: Proactively contact college coaches, regardless of age or point in the process.
Improve Measurables: Focus on improving softball measurables and challenging yourself against the best competition available.

The Fastpitch Swing

The fastpitch swing can be broken down into seven components:

Stance
Grip
Bat Position
Shift of Weight
Hand Position
"Squishing the Bug"
Follow Through and Finish

The Importance of Spin

Spin is an important factor in pitching. For the distance of 43ft doesn’t change and as speeds increase up through 70+, it leaves much less room for late-breaking spin to have room to work and break, so pitching becomes less effective as the spin-to-speed ratio decreases, and hitters simply start to be better able to time the pitch.

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