TBR Instant Classic: Ask Applejack

Yep

Oh and it's almost Basketball time!!!

 

Pitch counts

What is your feeling and knowledge about pitch counts for 17-18 yr old high school pitchers. What factors come into play, conditioning, weather, days rest, etc.

 

Wonder how many players ever use the Jobe's exercise program.
I know my son does.

 

Another question

I don't know where I first read that the three most important tools for a pro pitcher were (in order) location, movement and velocity.

From what you see in drafting players and scholarship offers, it seems that pro-scouts and college scouts are looking for (in order) velocity, movement and then location.

Why the difference?

 

I know this is AJ's thread, but I would say that every scout (college and Pro) feel they can teach mechanics and location, but they can't teach god-given talent; Hence, velocity and movement become their primary focus.

 

Re: Pitch counts

Pitch count at the high school level is very important. Let me rephrase that, pitch count at any level is very important.
A pitchers arm needs rest because the motion of the pitcher's arm is an unnatural movement. (for the most part)
The movement forces the pitcher to use muscles in his arm in an unnatural manner thereby causing stiffness and soreness in the arm.
A pitchers pitch count depends on the physical shape the pitcher is in. If he is in very good shape and it is mid season he could possibly withstand 100-150 pitches per game.
It will depend on the amount of pitches thrown per inning and if he is a starter or reliever.
Very delicate matter, this is where a coach or manager should know his pitcher very well or use good judgement if he does not know the pitcher very well ie... an all star game.

 

If you'd heard Tom House this past weekend, you'd have heard the multitude of sound, physiological reasons why he insists that pitchers try to regulate their pitchcount in the 75-pitch-per-outing range...along with the admonition that they NEVER exceed 110. He also affirms what you're saying, AJ: that the 75/110 pitchcount thresholds hold up at ALL levels of baseball.

By the way, if you missed his clinic this year, you need to start planning now for the one he intends to do again next year. It's an extraordinary opportunity to learn from one of the masters of the game.

 

Yeah Prepster. I talked to one of the players that attended and they said it was by far the most informative clinic about pitching he has ever attended.

Can you comment about what you observed? I understand you were there Fri. and Sunday ( You can't hide from me, I've got spies everywhere )

Also, was the price of the clinic reasonable?!

 

You DO get around, Braves! But, then, we already KNEW that!

From my perspective, it was great fun to see a guy who (1) works with the very best pitchers in the game today and (2) has fully committed himself to using the most advanced techniques available to understand and explain what makes the best pitchers successful spend the weekend teaching a bunch of high school-aged pitchers. It was my impression that he was getting as much enjoyment and satisfaction from that as though he were working with Randy Johnson, Robb Nen, Mark Prior, or his former student, Nolan Ryan.

I couldn't begin to do justice to the specifics. What you need to know is that this is a guy who looks at pitching from its most holistic perspective and seeks to pass along all he can on a wide range of related topics: training, warm up, recovery, mechanics, nutrition, and the mental/emotional aspect. In the preparation/training/mechanics phases, he takes them through a lot of drills; so that they come away with a first-hand knowledge of how it feels to do what he's teaching.

Yes, the seminar is pricey at $350 . However, you get this guy's full attention for approximately 20 hours over the course of the weekend, and the amount of information and personalized instruction couldn't be greater. In retrospect, I think it's worth every cent.

If you're interested in learning more about him and some of the efforts he has underway, here are a couple of links:

TomHouse.com

National Pitching Association

 

Yes, I thought so too..he's one of a kind. I sure hope he will come back