Windmill pitching vs. Sling Shot pitching in softball

Question
Our daughter has been pitching since she was 9 years old.  Her pitching coach started her out with windmill instruction and was going along just fine, but now she has developed a habit to where she is pitching sling shot style.  The coach says that if she can't break this habit he will continue instructing her but will start instructing her for sling shot.  Is this and will this hinder her in any way when it comes time for colleges to check her out.  She is 12 years old now.  She is very upset with herself because she is afraid that it will deter college scouts from being interested in her.  Can you please advise us on whether she needs to break away from this style of pitching? Could you please tell us the difference; is one better than the other or are they both equal in speed, and the most important question, can this cause damage to her arm?

Thank you
Becky

Answer
Hello Becky

You don't see many sling shot style pitchers anymore, but sling shot pitcher Joan Joyce was a legend in the 1960 & 70's. She is currently the head coach Florida Atlantic University. A member of the National Amateur Softball Hall of Fame, Joyce holds a career pitching record of 753 wins and 42 losses. Included in her totals, Joyce pitched 150 no-hit, no-run games and 50 perfect games.

Generally from my experience windmill pitchers generate more speed and sling shot pitchers have more control and ball movement. College coaches like speed however they like ball movement and control even better. The pitching distance at college moves to 43 feet so ball movement becomes more important than speed.

Some girls physically have difficulty throwing windmill so if she is more comfortable pitching sling shot let her. It's unlikely the sling shot pitching is any more or less likely to cause arm injury. She's only 12 so if she wishes to try the windmill style again in a couple of years that's acceptable. The learning curve isn't that drastic once you have one style mastered.    

Windmill pitching is very popular however it's pitching results - not pitching style that catches a college coach's attention. There are few absolutes in pitching, because when you think your right, someone will come along and prove you wrong.