Find Out If You Have What It Takes: Average Softball Pitch Speed D1

 

The Short Answer: The average D1 softball pitch speed is around 63 miles per hour or faster, with top players reaching speeds in the mid-to-high 60s.

In softball, pitch speed can make all the difference for a good high school or youth player looking to take their game to D1. If you are one of those athletes, understanding what speeds are expected at Division 1 programs is an important first step. Whether you're a pitcher working to improve your velocity or a softball hitter preparing to face these faster pitches, knowing these benchmarks helps set realistic goals. But how do you achieve those goals? We are here to help with tips and drills to help you succeed.

By incorporating our tips, drills, and exercises into your strength training regimen, you'll develop the ankle mobility, power, and flexibility needed to increase your pitch speed. Are you ready to achieve that high mph fastball that will impress any college coach watching with a radar gun? Let's start by looking at averages for your age range.

Average Softball Pitch Speeds at Different Levels

Understanding the progression of pitch speeds across different competitive levels helps softball players set realistic goals and know what to expect as they advance. Let's break down the typical velocity ranges you'll see from the youth leagues all the way to D1 college softball.

Youth League (10U-14U)

For young softball pitchers just developing their skills, speed isn't always the primary focus. At the youth level (ages 10-14), pitchers typically throw between 40-50 mph. The mechanics are still forming, and many coaches prioritize accuracy and proper form over raw speed.

Top performers at this age might reach 50-55 mph, which stands out significantly on the youth diamond. These faster pitchers often catch the attention of travel team coaches and begin developing reputations as power pitchers. At this stage, a radar gun reading isn't nearly as important as developing consistent mechanics and building arm strength safely.

Young softball players with higher velocities should focus on maintaining their form while gradually increasing speed through proper training. This foundation will serve them well as they progress to more competitive levels.

High School

The high school level sees a noticeable jump in average pitch speeds. In our experience, most varsity high school softball pitchers throw between 52-58 mph consistently. This increase comes from physical maturation, better conditioning, and more advanced training techniques.

Top high school pitchers – those being recruited by college programs – typically reach the upper 50s to low 60s, with elite prospects touching 62+ mph. At this level, pitch speed becomes more crucial for success against better hitters. College coaches start paying serious attention to pitchers who can maintain velocity while hitting their spots in the strike zone.

The gap between average and elite pitchers widens in high school, with the best arms adding off-speed pitches to complement their fastballs. This combination of pitch speed and movement makes these pitchers particularly effective at getting outs against quality hitters.

Division 1 College

At the D1 level, softball pitching reaches its peak in both velocity and skill. The average D1 softball pitch speed sits around 63 mph or faster. This significant increase from high school reflects the intense training, conditioning, and specialized coaching these athletes receive.

Top D1 pitchers regularly throw in the mid-to-high 60s, with elite arms occasionally touching 70 mph. These speeds give hitters extremely little reaction time – about the same as facing a 95+ mph baseball pitch from the standard baseball mound distance.

The best D1 programs recruit pitchers who not only throw hard but can maintain their velocity throughout a complete game and across multiple relief appearances in tournaments. This endurance factor separates good college pitchers from great ones.

What makes D1 pitchers particularly challenging isn't just their fastball speed but how they pair it with movement pitches like the rise ball, drop curve, and off-speed pitches that break the timing of even elite hitters. The combination of velocity, movement, and pinpoint control is what defines success at this highest collegiate level.

How to Improve Your Pitch Speed

If you're looking to increase your softball pitch speed to reach D1 levels, you'll need a comprehensive approach that includes proper techniques, specific drills, and regular exercises. Here's how to build the velocity that college coaches look for in potential recruits.

Key Tips for Increasing Pitch Speed

• Perfect Your Mechanics: Even small flaws in pitching form can rob you of significant speed. Work with a qualified pitching coach to ensure your arm circle, hip rotation, and follow-through are technically sound.

• Build Lower Body Strength: Contrary to what many think, pitching power starts from the ground up. Strong legs provide the foundation for generating speed through the kinetic chain.

• Focus on Core Development: Your core transfers energy from your lower body to your upper body. A strong core helps maintain stability while maximizing the power transfer from your pitching motion to home plate.

• Increase Stride Length: A longer stride (within reason for your height) can add speed by creating more momentum and giving your arm more time to accelerate.

• Develop Arm Strength: While not the only factor, arm strength still matters. Resistance band work and proper arm conditioning help build the necessary strength without risking injury.

• Improve Wrist Snap: A quick, powerful wrist snap at release adds significant throwing speed to your pitch and helps create movement pitches that fool elite hitters.

• Train for Explosiveness: Plyometric exercises help develop the fast-twitch muscle fibers needed for explosive pitching movements that produce a faster pitch.

The Ankle Mobility Drill: Step-by-Step

This drill specifically targets ankle mobility, which is often overlooked but crucial for generating power from the ground up through your pitching motion.

Step 1: Start in your normal pitching stance with feet shoulder-width apart, standing on the mound facing home plate.

Step 2: Hinge at your hips and perform an explosive jump straight up.

Step 3: As you land, immediately find your load position - left foot now behind the mound with weight slightly back, heels firmly planted on the ground.

Step 4: From the loaded position, explode forward and deliver your pitch.

Repeat these steps 8-10 times, focusing on the quick transition between the jump and finding stability in the landing, then exploding forward through the pitch. This drill teaches your body to be fast through your feet while maintaining the stability needed to transfer maximum power from the mound. Good ankle mobility allows for better drive and push-off, resulting in increased pitch speed that can give softball hitters less reaction time to make contact.

Ankle Mobility Exercises for Regular Training

Include these exercises in your regular training routine to improve ankle mobility:

Wall Press

1. Stand facing a wall, about arm's length away.

2. Keep your torso upright and place your hands on the wall for support.

3. With one foot, reach toward the wall while keeping the opposite heel firmly on the ground.

4. Hold for 5 seconds, then switch feet.

5. Perform 10 repetitions on each side.

This exercise strengthens the muscles that control ankle dorsiflexion, which is crucial for a powerful push-off during pitching, especially when trying to deliver a rise ball that challenges hitters at a higher level.

Softball Roll

1. Sit comfortably on the floor with your legs extended.

2. Place a softball under the arch of your foot.

3. Apply gentle pressure and roll the ball back and forth under your foot.

4. Focus on areas that feel tight or tense.

5. Spend 1-2 minutes on each foot.

If you don't have a softball handy, you can perform toe presses by repeatedly pressing your toes into the ground and releasing. This exercise helps casual players and serious softball pitchers alike improve their foot mechanics.

Ankle Press

1. Sit on the floor with one leg straight in front of you.

2. Bend your other leg at the knee, placing that foot flat on the ground.

3. With your straight leg, push off from the ankle to lift your heel a few inches off the ground.

4. Slowly lower your heel back down.

5. Complete 15-20 repetitions before switching legs.

This exercise strengthens the muscles that stabilize your ankle during the pitching motion, allowing for a more powerful and controlled delivery. For corner infielders who also pitch, this exercise provides dual benefits for both positions.

How BRUCE BOLT Can Help You Take Your Game to the Next Level

As you work toward increasing your pitch speed, don't overlook the importance of high-quality gear. BRUCE BOLT compression sleeves provide crucial support for pitchers pushing their limits. These sleeves improve blood circulation during long games, minimize injury risk through better muscle support, and enhance recovery between appearances. For softball players serious about reaching D1 velocities, the right equipment makes a difference in both performance and longevity.

Check out BRUCE BOLT's arm sleeves now to give your arm the protection it deserves while you chase your goal of going D1.