Learn More >> Spin Rate Data

Below are a few of the questions RevFire can answer for fastpitch softball and baseball pitchers:
  • Am I spinning my softball riseball enough to 'rise', or my baseball curveball enough to break strongly?
  • Am I putting good 'movement' on my fastball?
  • Which type of drop-ball fastpitch release technique is most effective for me?
  • As I progress from high school to college to the pro's, how much should my spin rate increase?

Below are tables showing what kind of performance can be expected from high school and college pitchers.  
As seen in the "Range" column, much difference exists in the spin rates created by poor vs. exceptional
breaking ball pitchers.

SOFTBALL
A good breaking ball (curveball, riseball, dropball, or screwball) requires at least 19 RPS.  Some pitchers
achieve more than 22 RPS consistently with their breaking balls.  A few are known to throw riseballs
consistently at 30 RPS.  In high school the best breaking balls pitchers typically throw around 23 RPS.  There
is more variability in the spin rate on fastballs, depending on the type of fastball thrown and whether the
pitcher is trying to put movement on the pitch.  Although the spin rates for fastpitch softball are slower than for
baseball, the effect of spin is more pronounced than with baseballs because of the larger surface area and
higher seams of a softball.












*High School data from National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) recruiting camps.



GENERAL GUIDELINE FOR JUNIOR & SENIOR YEAR HIGH SCHOOL PITCHERS*:
SPIN RATE (RPS)
less than 17.0                Needs work
17.0 – 18.9                        Average
19.0 - 21.9                        Good
22.0 and more                Excellent

*This guideline is for high school pitchers without RevFire based training.


BREAKING BALL SPIN RATE GUIDELINE FOR DIVISION I COLLEGE FASTPITCH SOFTBALL:
(From surveyed D-1 college coaches.)
SPIN RATE (RPS)
less than 20.0                Needs work
20.0 - 21.9                       Average
22.0 - 24.9                       Good
25.0 and up                     Excellent



BASEBALL
A good breaking ball at the college or pro level requires at least 35 RPS.  Some pitchers achieve more than
40 RPS consistently on their curveballs or sliders.  In high school, the best breaking balls are typically around
35 RPS.  There is more variability in the spin rate on fastballs, depending on the type of fastball thrown and
whether the pitcher is capable of putting movement on the pitch.
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Pitch
High School*
College
Ave
Typical
Range
Top 10%
Ave
Typical
Range
Top 10%
Curve, Drop,
Rise, or Screw
17
10 - 30
> 22.0
21
17 - 25
> 25.0
SOFTBALL (RPS)
Pitch
High School
College
Ave
Range
Ave
Range
Fastball
26
16 - 33
31
25 - 35
Breaking Ball
28
23 - 35
37
30 - 40
BASEBALL (RPS)
Fastpitch Softball
Spin Rate Performance
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