01/20/2026
PSA about learning new pitches!!!
Working on your fastball isn’t just about throwing strikes—it’s about building the foundation for every pitch you’ll ever throw. Especially at 9, 10, 11, or even 12 years old, there’s no rush to learn a new pitch. Why? Because the mechanics you use for your fastball are the same ones that should carry into all your other pitches.
If you haven’t mastered your fastball mechanics yet, learning a new pitch is only going to make things harder. And by “mastered,” I mean being able to throw strikes with full effort—without slowing down to hit a location. If you or your pitcher have to slow down to throw strikes or hit spots like high, low, in, or out, it’s a sign that the mechanics aren’t solid enough yet.
Adding a new pitch too soon can create more challenges: less accuracy with the fastball, less confidence overall, and slower progress in both areas.
Here’s the thing—softball isn’t a race. At 9, 10, or even 12 years old, it’s so much more important to have strong mechanics than to check a new pitch off the list. Did you know there are college pitchers STILL working on new pitches or refining the ones they’ve been throwing for years?
Patience now will pay off later. Focus on mastering the fastball and building the right habits. The rest will follow when the time is right.
