TBR Instant Classic: Ask Applejack

Posted by Applejack"I had an intensive rehab program of long toss, light weights, more long toss, surgical tubing exercises and even more long toss."

 

This is not a jobes exercise site, but it is considered one of the best
Dr. Andrews

 

I think the exercises in question are meant to be used after a workout , or pitching in a game . They tend to burn lactic acid off the muscles which cause's some to have soreness usually the following day after pitching. Jobes , combined with sprints should help keep the ice off the muscles , not always but most of the time.
Us poor folks just use 2 baseballs , a tennis ball can of dirt and do exercises .

 

I have a question that maybe someone can give me some incite to........After pitching a game how much throwing should a kid be doing in the days that follow. I know the kid should be long tossing but at what distances or rather at what levels of intensity. Thank you to anyone who can help me out here.

 

I think that depends on innings pitched on a given day and when the next start would be.
Pitch on Day 1
catch or rest on Day 2
Throw off the mound on Day 3 ( 60 to 75% )
rest or play catch on day 4
start another game on day 5

most high schoolers will be playing other positions so you have to work around a pitchers workout schedule .

I personally think throwing everyday is ok, if you follow a regulated plan.
More throwing helps build velocity and with velocity you get movement at the end of the pitch .
Alot of pitchers get arm problems by overthrowing to gain velocity.
you get good radar readings but the ball doesnt move and your pitch ends up in the batters wheelhouse.

 

Based on Tuesday/Friday games. Most pitchers will only go out 1 time per week. High school rules and common sense limit innings. You should not be pitching in HS and in any other league at the same time.

Day 1: Monday: Go lite on the arm... batting practice, fielding but no hard throwing.

Day 2: Game Day: Pitch. We like to ice for 20 minutes and then do about 10-15 min of Cardio-vascular exercise to get the blood flowing. Jogging around the field a couple laps is good.

Day 3: Wednesday...enough throwing to work out any residual stiffness. It's "lifting day" if they are on a weight training schedule. Cage work.

Day 4: Thursday: play catch/mini-long toss/50% bullpen. Fielding your 2nd position (normal throws)

Day 5: Friday: Usually another game (at a different position).

Day 6: Repeat Wednesday...get some hitting in on your own.

Day 7: Rest.

In General. You should play catch and get your arm moving every day if possible. Long-toss/bull-pen work every other day. Once the season starts, gage your long toss on your pitch count. If you are going a lot of innings/pitches, you shouldn't do long toss over about 120 feet....Pre-season, back it up some and get some arm strength. Bull pens are generally 50%-75% working on touch/feel. Finnish the last 5-6 pitches at about 90%.

 

As highschool baseball guys, how do yall feel about highshool ball v. summer ball? As it has been my experience not many kids get looked at playing highschool ball, and unless they are playing under a good program, many times they come out of highschool seasons worse than when they went in. Just wandering what yall's thoughts were on this.

 

Most college coaches are too busy with their own teams during the HS season to spend time looking at HS players. That's why HS players are more likely to be seen in summer leagues regardless of what type of league their playing in. Other than being more likely to be seen in the summer there isn't really any HS ball vs summer ball. Any kid that has hopes of playing at the next level needs to be playing summer ball and even fall ball some where.

 

So then does highschool ball have any actual plus's other than adding more games to a kids schedual. As I have found it many times the instruction you are getting is less than average and I have seen it do harm to many players. If summer ball is where you are going to get looked at then is it worth the risk of injury and fatige to play that 30 games more a year? Just something for yall to think about.

 

I'm one of those that would say that the more you play the better you get. So yes, I think that playing the HS schedule is worth it. As far as that goes, just try to stop 'em. I can tell you that my son is about to bust (so am I) to get started.
If nothing else think of it as a warm up to the summer season if being seen by college coaches is what's most important to you. I really don't think being seen is the motivation for playing baseball in the first place, especially in HS. I think that it's more friendly rivalrys with your summer teammates and bragging rights, not to mention the shear love of playing the game.