Every parent and coach wants to help young pitchers develop their skills while protecting their growing arms. One of the most common questions in youth baseball is: "When is it safe for my pitcher to throw a curveball, slider, or changeup?" The answer isn't as simple as picking an age from a chart, but understanding the guidelines and reasoning behind them will help you make informed decisions for your young athlete. Youth Pitching at a Glance TL;DR < 9 yrs:  Fastball only –

Youth pitchers don’t advance by choosing between velocity and control they need both. Velocity without a foundation fades, and control without competitive speed limits upside. Real development happens when the two are trained together, creating durable performance that carries beyond weekend tournaments. TL;DR Velocity and command must be developed together one without the other limits long-term success Foundational mechanics matter more than effort ; poor patterns get ingrai