Stats
Strike Percentage — The Youth Pitching Development Stat
Strike Percentage measures how often a pitcher throws strikes. Formula: Strikes ÷ Total Pitches. A 60% strike percentage means the pitcher throws strikes on 6 out of every 10 pitches. At the youth level, strike percentage is the single best development indicator for pitchers — more useful than ERA, more actionable than win-loss record, and directly connected to the thing that matters most: throwing strikes consistently.
The Formula
Strike Percentage = Strikes ÷ Total Pitches
Example: A pitcher throws 62 pitches — 38 strikes and 24 balls:
Strike % = 38 ÷ 62 = 61.3%
What counts as a strike: Called strikes, swinging strikes, foul balls (including foul tips), and balls put in play. Anything that's not a ball is a strike for this calculation.
Why Strike Percentage Is the Best Youth Pitching Stat
ERA tells you about results. Strike percentage tells you about the skill that produces results.
It's independent of defense. ERA depends on the fielders behind the pitcher. Strike percentage is entirely about the pitcher. A kid who throws 65% strikes on a team that commits 5 errors per game has the same strike percentage as one on a team that plays clean defense.
It's actionable. "Your strike percentage was 48% today. Last week it was 55%. Let's work on first-pitch strikes this week." That's a coaching conversation with a clear direction. "Your ERA went up" doesn't tell anyone what to fix.
It predicts success. At every level of baseball, pitchers who throw more strikes win more games. Youth baseball is dominated by walks — the team whose pitchers throw more strikes almost always wins. A 10U team with two pitchers who throw 60%+ strikes has a massive advantage.
It tracks development across a season. Watch a young pitcher's strike percentage climb from 45% in March to 58% by June. That's measurable growth in the skill that matters most.
Youth Strike Percentage Benchmarks
| Level | Needs Work | Developing | Solid | Strong |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8U-9U | Below 40% | 40-50% | 50-58% | 58%+ |
| 10U-11U | Below 45% | 45-52% | 52-60% | 60%+ |
| 12U | Below 50% | 50-57% | 57-63% | 63%+ |
| 13U-14U | Below 52% | 52-58% | 58-65% | 65%+ |
First-Pitch Strike Percentage
A related and equally valuable stat: how often does the pitcher throw a strike on the first pitch of each at-bat?
Getting ahead 0-1 dramatically changes the at-bat. Across all levels of baseball, batters hit significantly worse when the count starts 0-1 compared to 1-0. For youth pitchers, establishing a first-pitch strike habit is one of the highest-leverage development areas.
Benchmark: A first-pitch strike rate above 55% is solid at 12U. Above 60% is strong.
Rizzler tracks first-pitch strike percentage automatically when you chart pitches using the pitch counting feature.
How to Improve Strike Percentage
Bullpen work with intent. Don't just throw in the bullpen — throw to locations with a purpose. Set targets and track how many pitches hit the zone.
Simplify pitch selection. At 10U-12U, a pitcher who can throw one pitch for strikes is more effective than one who has three pitches but can't locate any of them. Master the fastball first.
Focus on first-pitch strikes. If the first pitch is a strike, the pitcher has control of the at-bat. Build the habit of attacking the zone early.
Track it weekly. Share the number with the pitcher (at 11U+) in a constructive way: "You went from 49% to 56% this month. That's real improvement." Using stats without overcoaching →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rizzler track strike percentage automatically?
Yes. When you count pitches during games (ball or strike per pitch), Rizzler calculates strike percentage per game and across the season. Pitch counting feature →
Is 50% strike percentage bad?
At 8U-9U, 50% is developing and normal. At 12U, 50% means the pitcher walks too many batters and needs command work. Context matters. What to track at 10U-11U →
How many pitches do I need for a meaningful strike percentage?
At least 50 pitches (roughly 1-2 starts) for a rough number, 100+ for a reliable season indicator.
