14 Common Misconceptions About Pitching

Part 1 of 3:

From “just throw strikes” to “you need to master a fastball first,” there are a lot of misconceptions floating around about how what to teach a pitcher when developing her. Many of these beliefs are so common they feel like fact—especially for beginners. But here’s the thing: softball pitching is full of counterintuitive concepts, and the common beliefs often miss the mark.

Let’s clear the air. Here are the first 6 of 14 misconceptions we hear all the time—and why they’re holding pitchers back.

1. Pitching lessons are only for serious pitchers.

Many parents think their daughter doesn’t need lessons yet—just more time practicing strikes. “She just needs to focus more,” they say. “She’ll speed up once she gets better.”

But learning how to pitch correctly is essential from the beginning. Would you put your daughter on stage at a piano recital without ever teaching her how?

All players—especially beginners—need guidance on proper mechanics and injury prevention. Confidence on the mound comes from knowing what you're doing. Without that foundation, it's unlikely a pitcher will ever even get to the “serious” phase.

2. We can just figure it out online.

You can learn a lot online—but when it comes to pitching, too much information can be just as counterproductive as not enough. Most parents aren’t sure what their 8-year-old can realistically do, and some (even well-meaning ones) teach the wrong things in the wrong order.

That usually leads to frustration, slower progress, and sometimes a loss of interest altogether.

3. Pitching is like any other position—the more you practice, the better you get.

A lot of people assume that pitching progress follows a straight line: effort in, results out. But that’s not how this works.

In reality, the results don’t start to show until a pitcher is consistently practicing 4+ days per week over many months. It’s more like climbing a mountain—slow at first, but eventually the effort compounds. Before that, expect a plateau... and keep climbing.

4. Pitch counts and injury risks are the same as baseball.

Softball pitchers do put a lot of stress on their arms—but the underhand motion is fundamentally different than baseball’s overhand throw. It’s closer to a natural arm swing, which is why softball pitchers can often throw more without the same injury risk.

That said, injuries still happen. But they’re different types of injuries than in baseball. Curveballs, for example, don’t put the same torque on the elbow. (Here’s a great injury comparison between baseball and softball). The best protection? Play multiple sports and prioritize arm care.

5. You have to master your fastball before learning other pitches.

If that were true, most pitchers wouldn’t touch a changeup until high school or college.

The reality? Learning multiple pitches early—before age 12—is like learning two languages as a child. You may not perfect either one right away, but your brain and body will adapt. That early exposure builds body awareness and actually improves fastball mechanics in the long run.

And if you’re worried about taking time away from speed and accuracy? Ask yourself first: are you getting in your 4 days of practice per week? If not, that’s the real issue—not how time is divided.

6. It’s easy to find a pitching coach who fits our schedule.

If only! Pitching coaches—especially good ones—are hard to find and harder to book. Many have full rosters, move away, or shift their availability seasonally. Often, you’ll have to drive far or rearrange your schedule to make it work.

That’s exactly what we’re trying to change at Practice Pro. But if you're just starting out, be prepared to make some calls and do a little legwork. The effort is worth it.

Stay tuned for Part 2: Misconceptions coming next week!