Pitching mechanics

Question
Dear Mike,

I've just wandered across this site and have spent some time reading your responses to the questions posed by dads like myself. The one salient point that I continue to read (and AGREE with) is that first, it's about protecting what your young pitcher already has; and two, further training must be able to help and not injure them. Good work...

So, I've got a 12 y.o. who is in his last month, has been tapped to start numerous All-Star tournament games and even with proper stretching, ice-downs after work and 4-5 days off at a time, I've noticed a drop off in velocity. I'm thinking he could use a few thoughts (as could I). I noticed in other responses you've indicated that an email with a few exercises could be requested. Well, consider this a well over due request. Any thoughts by someone with your background would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill  

Answer
Bill,

Thanks for your question and for your comments.  I certainly appreciate a pat on the back every once in a while.  

Unfortunately, you are presently in a bit of a predicament.  I have seen this in kids your son's age in which they kind of "wear down" as a long season goes on.  Especially in Little League when they are limited to 6-7 innings per week, then move into Allstar tournament play and the load on them increases.  They will tend to get what I call the "noodle arm".  They are not really sore or hurting, but they start to "lose a little bit".

I am also a chiropractor/sports medicine practitioner and have had the fortunate pleasure to work as a treating doctor for a university athletic department.  Thus, I have some knowledge in what to do with these situations in which players are just plan tired and worn out. While it is a bit different in a collegiate athlete, the principles are the same. What I do with my younger pitchers is rest them, but still throw in practice.  We start this from the start of the season.  Our select team started practice on January 8 of this year.  We played our last game for the spring on June 26.  Our pitchers had pitching practice 2 times per week and also threw at home.  We also had team practice 2 times per week in which they threw the ball from their other positions.  We played 42 games and used only 5 pitchers on a regular basis.  We had 3 other boys who each logged less than 4 innings a piece.  

Now that is a lot of games with a few pitchers. What I have done with them is develop a throwing and exercise program designed to strengthen the arms and throw with good mechanics as so not to injure anyone.  We had only one pitcher get the "noodle arm".  This was due to throwing too much at home with his dad. Because he was throwing so much at home, 70-100 pitches with dad 3 days a week, he worn down.  

I advocate practicing with a purpose.  The pitcher is to work on his locations and pitches with full concentration in order to get the most out of a practice. The focus in a bullpen session should be on mechanics and location.  Good mechanics and location take place over velocity.  If you can then add the velocity, you have a real pitcher.  We have 13 year olds.  When we pitch a bullpen session, it will be a full one, 50 pitches, or partial, 35 pitches. That is it.  But done correctly, maximum results are obtained.  My top 4 pitchers finished the season with a strikeout to walk ration of almost 3 to 1.  I had one pitcher, my son, who averaged 10 strikeouts per 7 innings pitched. My second starter averaged 7.5 strikeouts per 7 innings.  Our combined ERA, which is the most important stat, for our 4 main pitchers was 2.5.  If my pitchers only give up 2.5 runs per game, we are going to win a lot of games if we play good defense behind them.

As for the exercises, it is a little late for that, they are more for the off-season and pre-season.  But you can alter your bullpen sessions to concentrate more on control and less on number of pitches thrown.  This will probably help with the tired arm. Remember, he is just 12.  Also, his body is probably starting to make some changes which could affect him.

Therapeutically, icing after a bullpen or game is essential. Stretching is vital. Taking the time off is important.  What I try to do is take the day after a game off completely.  We might hit some, but that is all. The next day we throw as a position player-warm up, maybe some long toss.  Third day we may throw a partial bullpen or less, 20-35 pitches.  Fourth day the same. Then fifth is usually game day.  If your son is a relief type pitcher and not pitching as many pitches in a game, he can throw a longer bullpen.  The other thing is that I get to perform therapy on the kids each week.  This certainly helps with the tired and sore arms.

My son normally goes a full game now when he starts. He is a bit of a horse, meaning we have really trained well and he has great stamina.  We use a radar gun on our pitchers and he normally throws as hard in the 6th as he does in the 1st.  I count all my pitchers pitches in the games, the pitch number, type and location.  I call the pitches.  I am very comfortable with my son throwing about 85 pitches.  He has gone as many as 110 in a huge game.  I do not normally advocate this and would not do it with someone else, but I know his training and condition and he knows his body.  Our pitchers come straight to me after each inning and we go through a checklist of things including how they feel to their mental status.  Each of my kids has a different max pitch count we go by.  And if things go south, we are not shy about pulling them from a game.  It is all part of the process.  

If you and your son are very serious about pitching.  I suggest getting some professional private lessons prior to next year.  It can make a huge difference.  In the meantime, I would be more than happy to email our bullpen session plan.  Just send me your email through this site and I will forward it in an attachment. I cannot attach files from this site.  

It is a wonderful time of life and time to spend with your son.  He will remember his little league experiences the rest of his life and what you do with him he will never forget.  I still  have fond memories of my dad instilling a love of the game that I have been able to pass to my son. Now, I have a boy who is very serious and dedicated and has plans of working hard to be able to play in high school, college and who knows what else.  Not all kids have these dreams, but they still get to have the fun and make the memories with dads like you.  I commend you and wish you God's blessings through the rest of this season and beyond.  Work hard and have fun!

Send that email address and I will get that info to you asap.

Coach Boss