Your Pitcher Wants to Play in College—Here’s What Matters Most

Hey there, Friend!

Does your pitcher dream of becoming a college softball pitcher one day?
Are you wondering what college coaches are actually looking for when they’re out recruiting?

If so, you’re in the right place.

Here are NINE things that college coaches are looking for when they’re choosing pitchers to join their programs:

1. A STRONG foundation to build on!

When a pitcher has efficient mechanics, she:

• Has a lower chance of injury

• Can continue to add power as she goes through a college strength program

• Can make small adjustments more easily to improve command and movement

All of those things matter—a lot—to college coaches.

Powerful, smooth, and efficient mechanics should be your FIRST priority if your pitcher wants to be successful at the college level!

2. Great COMMAND of the zone!

Successful college pitchers can LOCATE their pitches consistently.

Mistakes with location lead to walks—or solid contact. And at the college level, hitters will make you pay for both.

Coaches want to KNOW that their pitchers will hit the spots they call, and miss the zone in the right spot based on the count or game situation.

If your pitcher wants to pitch at the college level, make hitting spots a top priority in her workouts!

3. Can MIX SPEEDS confidently!

This is a big one. College coaches love pitchers who can throw a change-up or off-speed pitch at any time in the count—and do it with confidence.

Mixing speeds:

• Keeps hitters off-time

• Makes your fastball look faster

• Helps create outs, regardless of what how hard you throw your "fast" stuff

Many coaches are looking for pitchers who can throw at three different speeds:

• A fastball (top velocity)

• A change-up (lowest velocity)

• And an off-speed spin pitch that falls somewhere in between

Adding that third speed makes a huge difference!

4. Can CHANGE PLANES consistently!

Most pitchers focus a lot on moving the ball side to side.
But college coaches LOVE pitchers who can move the ball up and down in the zone.

Think about how a bat is shaped—long and skinny. The barrel can easily reach 3 balls off the plate horizontally. But adjusting vertically? That’s tough.

Moving the ball up and down makes hitters adjust what their eyes are seeing—and that makes solid contact a lot harder.

So don’t neglect the vertical strike zone when you’re training. Being able to change planes with command makes a pitcher way more effective.

5. COMPETES every pitch!

This might be one of the biggest predictors of how successful a pitcher will be—not just in college, but at any level.

College coaches want pitchers who:

• Lead confidently

• Bring consistent effort, body language, and focus

• Make each pitch as competitive as possible

Pitchers who compete—no matter the score, count, or situation—earn the trust of their teammates and coaches.

6. Knows HOW to "PITCH" with a purpose!

It’s not just about knowing how to throw pitches—it’s about knowing how to use what you’ve got to get hitters out.

Does your pitcher understand:

• When a hitter is on-time, early, or late—and what pitch to throw next based on that?

• What pitch gives her the best chance of weak contact or a swing-and-miss?

• How to work to a hitter’s weakness—or her own strength?

• Where she wants the ball hit based on the game situation or her defense?

Pitchers who know how to read the game and use their stuff with intention have a big edge at the next level.

7. SHORT memories when they face adversity!

Every pitcher gives up big hits. Every pitcher walks batters. Every pitcher struggles at times.

College coaches expect that.

In fact, many coaches hope they see a pitcher fail during a game—because they want to see how she bounces back.

Does she come right back and get the next hitter?
Or does she hang her head and let one mistake turn into two?

Your pitcher doesn’t have to be perfect—but she does need to know how to reset, respond, and compete through the tough stuff.

8. Something EXCEPTIONAL—not a lot of AVERAGE!

Coaches aren’t looking for pitchers who can throw multiple pitches that are just OK...they want to see something special that makes your pitcher stand out.

What’s her biggest strength?

• Does she throw with standout velocity?

• Is her command consistent and precise?

• Can she keep hitters off-time all game long with a confident, well-placed change-up?

• Does she get great spin and movement on her rise ball?

• Does she step up and deliver when the pressure is on?

If she doesn’t have something she’s exceptional at yet… that’s okay! Start building it now!

And remember: less is often more. If your pitcher is trying to throw a long list of pitches and none of them are consistently able to create outs, it might be time to simplify and focus on making a one or two of them really great!

9. Is a TEAM-first player!

College coaches want pitchers who are fully invested in their team’s success—not just their personal stats.

Does your pitcher get caught up in strikeouts and earned runs?
Or is she more focused on things like:

• Working ahead in the count

• Getting quick, efficient outs

• Keeping her team in the game and giving them a chance to win?

Coaches want pitchers who bring their best effort for the team—in every role they’re asked to fill.

And parents/coaches: this one’s for you too...
What are you praising after games? Her individual stats—or the ways she helped her team compete?

Final Thoughts

If your pitcher wants to get recruited—and thrive at the college level—these 9 things matter.

Work on them. Talk about them. 

Because when she’s got these 9 things, she’ll be the kind of pitcher college coaches are excited to have on their roster.

If one of these jumped out at you, there’s a reason. Start there—and keep building!

All my BEST,
Myndie