Arm development

Question
Sir
I coach a double A Bantam 2 baseball team and wanted to get your opinion on something.

I have a very talented catcher on my team, he is quite possibly the best defensive catcher in our league, except for one thing his throwing is terrible. I am trying to put together a workout plan for him involving long toss, weighted (slightly) balls and other exercises.

Another thing he has against him is he is left handed. He has been to numerous High School,College,Minor League camps and has learned to compensate for this, there is not a pitch he cannot block and this past summer only had 1 dropped third strike.

He provides excellent leadership and he deserves to play this position.

Could you please give me some ideas it would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully
Jimmy McCullough

Answer
Jimmy,

Thanks for your question and your desire to help this player improve.  You are right on track with the throwing program.  Long toss and weighted ball throwing, along with flexibility and some rubber tubing exercises is what I use to improve arm strength and velocity in my pitchers.  The main key is throwing mechanics.  If this boy is not utilizing the proper mechanics, he will not have success.  

Arm break, ball facing away from target, shoulder turn, keeping the front side closed, elbow high, throw over the top, follow through. This all has to happen to have success throwing the ball from any position.

Mechanics first.  I often find kids with poor mechanics and with about 5 minutes of work, they are throwing the ball harder, farther and more accurately.  Check those mechanics.  Lefties love to drop down and throw side arm which cause all types of problems.  Watch him closely. If the mechanics are good, then work on the long toss and weighted ball.  His velocity and trajectory and accuracy will improve.

Next point, my son is a lefty.  He pitches, plays first and outfield.  These are the true left handed positions.  It is interesting that you send me this question.  We play select 14U ball.  Yesterday we were playing and were run ruling the other team with their last at bat coming up. We moved some guys around to let them play positions that they usually do not.  My son is our emergency catcher (4th catcher), but with a little practice would probably be our best catcher.  He has a gun.  Pitches fastball at low 70's, a lot of movement, and can throw 4 seam, 2 seam with riding movement, slow curve that is nasty and hard slider all for strikes.  He is a strikeout pitcher.  As a catcher, he can throw a dart to second from his knees to throw out a stealing runner.

HOWEVER, he will never play catcher at the higher levels because he is left handed. While I have seen some college and even minor league left handed catchers, they are like finding a needle in a hay stack.  My son is very good at this point.  I could play him at 3B and he would be our best 3Baseman. But I don't because he will never be allowed to play that position in high school or above.  He will pitch, play first or outfield.  That is the "way of baseball".  

I understand that he "deserves" to play this position and I don't know how old he is.  But if he is a strong player, I suggest developing him as at OF or 1B.  Try to develop a right hander who has potential to catch. Try to teach this lefty good mechanics, strengthen his arm and turn him into a pitcher.  Lefties don't have to throw hard to be effective on the mound.  Look at Jamie Moyer of the Seattle Mariners.  His FB tops at about 85mph and he still wins year after year even into his forties.  Pitching is like business: location, location, location.

Just my opinion.  You are on the right track with the drills you are doing.  Check his mechanics, that is probably the problem.  He may be throwing with an open chest.  A lot of kids do.  Keep up the good work and I hope this helps somehow.

God Bless,

Mike Boss