The 80 mph softball pitch — once an unthinkable milestone — is coming

When Karlyn Pickens was a young pitcher learning to perfect her craft, she got into the habit of comparing herself — and her velocity — to others who played her position.Her private pitching coach displayed a list of the record speeds achieved by other players she tutored. Pickens became obsessed with moving up the list. She laughs at the memory now, because the two-time All-American didn’t just climb toward the top — she set a new standard.And she’s still thinking about how she can get faster.Advertisement