"Your arm should be something that
completes you as a player rather than something that you try to
hide"
Thrive on Throwing
Throwing is a lost art. Throwing isn't something that we should
do "just" to get our arms loose. Throwing should be
done to maximize that skill, to develop it like any other skill
to be a strength rather than a potential career threatening weakness.
There isn't any reason why a player should have a chronically
sore, weak, or injury prone arm. If the arm would get the same
kind of attention that our hitting, defense or pitching gets than
it too would have a chance to thrive on a daily basis. Unfortunately,
most baseball players neglect their arms or take them for granted.
The reality of it is that a baseball player needs to have a strong,
well conditioned and healthy arm to play baseball. Period. There
is no substitution. Baseball players can simply not afford to
allow their arm to be a liability it must be an asset. In case
you forgot, you can't play baseball if you can't throw a baseball.
For example, how many players do you know that are drafted as
Designated Hitters? How many pitchers do you know that are drafted
out of a rehab facility?
Well I have news for you your arm is your life line if you are
a baseball player no matter what position you play. If you question
this at all then why do you think that scouts have an entire section
on their player information cards devoted to arm strength, accuracy,
mechanics etc It's because it is an integral part of your package
as a player. It can be the deciding factor as to whether your
arm allows you to move on to the next level (by maintaining its
skill level relative to your other skills).
On the other hand wouldn't it be nice to show up to the field
every day and appreciate your arm , I mean really love to throw
, love taking a pre-game infield/outfield everyday, love putting
your arm on display, love throwing the ball with authority through
(not to) the cutoff man's target, from deep in the hole, when
turning the double play, from behind the plate??? Wouldn't it
be nice if the arm thrived on throwing everyday?
The arm is a skill and like any other skill it just needs committed
attention. However, as long as we neglect this area of the game
we are going to be limited as players. What could easily become
an asset in this wonderful game can ultimately become a liability
and limit your baseball career.
Though we haven't grown accustomed to putting this much emphasis
on throwing you now have been given an opportunity to make a difference.
Your arm can either complete you as a player or something that
you try to hide.
The following arm strength and conditioning program is designed
to build a strong base or foundation in the off-season (Fall/Winter),
and to establish a maintenance program in season (Spring) through
arm circles, surgical tubing, mechanics and a committed long toss
throwing program.
Note: The amount, timing and pace will vary from
player to player.
When: In vs Out of Season
The most important time to establish a throwing program is "out"
of season. There are several reasons why, so let's examine these
first:
1) When a player is "out of season"
there is an extended period of time that can be devoted to throwing
only for the purpose of conditioning (i.e. building arm health,
strength and endurance). Through the conditioning phase, pitchers
can establish a much needed base that can be "drawn on"
throughout the season. Likewise, throwing can be easily regulated
and monitored when there aren't the demands of game situations
or consistent throwing on sore, tired or depleted arms (especially
for pitchers in bull-pens and game situations). This freedom allows
players to throw on a daily basis according to the needs of their
arm. Finally, it is an optimal time to work on a players mechanics
because the freedom from game situations provides an extended
period of time to change potentially unhealthy and limiting mechanics.
2) When a pitcher is "in" season, bull-pens
and game situations put a tremendous amount of wear and tear on
the arm , which creates a great deal of swelling, slows down recovery
period time and virtually eliminates optimal time to throw distance
and sustain strength and endurance. This is even more magnified
for pitchers who don't have a base from the off-season.
Comment: Because few players actually know how
or when to long toss in the off-season, few players have the ability
to sustain their velocity and endurance throughout the season.
Then the domino theory goes into effect. The arm has to throw
a bull-pen on a sore or tired arm sooner than it wants to. It
goes into the next game situation without the needed recovery
period. And soreness creates soreness. Tiredness creates tiredness.
Aches creates aches. Irritation creates irritation. All of a sudden
a player finds himself extremely vulnerable to an arm injury.
And the last thing on his mind is to throw distance (throw at
all) between bull-pens or game situations. This is a common cycle
that can go on all season for arms that are not properly conditioned
in the off season (that lack a base from which to work from).
The arm is in a degenerating cycle that makes it much more prone
to a serious injury.
Building a Base
It is just this simple , if you want to have a strong and healthy
arm that sustains itself throughout the season, then you have
to establish a strong foundation in the off-season. When a player
spends a minimum of four to six weeks developing his base, this
base will begin to deepen and fortify through the Winter months
and sustain itself through the demands of the season. Because
his arm has been stretched out and his stamina built up over a
period of time he can go into the season with a base that will
greatly reduce recovery period time (swelling/tightness) and allow
him to actually thrive on throwing distance (conditioning) between
bull-pens/game situations. Aches, pains, swelling and irritation
are virtually eliminated and so are the vulnerability to arm injuries.
In fact, the majority of position players and pitchers that I
work with feel as strong at the end of the season as they do at
the beginning of the season.
Getting Started: Arm Preparation
There are two exercises that must always supercede picking up
baseball: 1) Arm Circles and 2) Surgical Tubing exercises
Station 2
(Arm Circles)
A set of arm circles is the first exercise that is done to warm
up the smaller muscles in the shoulder so that the subsequent
surgical tubing exercises (i.e. Jobe exercises) can be maximized.
Arm Circles will also build up flexibility, balance, strength
and stamina in the rotator cuff muscle group (supraspinatus, infraspinatus,
teres minor, subscapularis) independent of the surgical tubing
exercises.
Notes:
• Warms and oxygenates the shoulder (like any other muscle)
• Provides good flexibility and range of motion n Strengthens
the smaller, weaker rotator cuff muscles by isolating them (the
most vulnerable part of the shoulder)
• Provides muscle balance
• Creates endurance
• Promotes endurance and better recovery period
• Prepares arm for surgical tubing exercises
Station 3
(Surgical Tubing)
Surgical tubing exercises are an important part of setting the
tone for long tossing. The surgical tubing exercises are designed
to isolate specific muscles in the rotator cuff so that they can
be stretch and strengthened. Because certain muscles in the back
of your shoulder (deceleraters) are most vulnerable to breaking
down, these exercises are designed to balance the rotator cuff
muscle group. As a compliment to the arm circles, the surgical
tubing exercises will provide you with a deeper, more efficient
stretch that may not be attainable by physical methods.
These same exercises that are used to rehabilitate arms can be
used to "develop" and prepare the arm before you throw.
These exercises were made popular by the renowned orthopedist
Dr. Frank Jobe.
Notes:
• Surgical tubing exercises provides an even deeper, more
isolated workout for the rotator cuff muscles (which are most
vulnerable to breaking down)
• Strengthens the shoulder from "inside out"
• Maximizes elasticity, flexibility and range of motion
• Provides rotator cuff muscle balance, strength and endurance
n Promotes recovery period in the short term (game to game) and
long term (season)
• As a compliment to the arm circles, the surgical tubing
exercises will provide you with a deeper, more efficient stretch
that may not be attainable by physical methods
• Surgical tubing exercises are an important part of setting
the tone for long tossing
Station 4
(Mechanics: Hip Drill)
Now that we've put the arm in an ideal space to throw, we need
to make sure that our mechanics are going to further support,
rather than inhibit the arm for our throwing program.
Though some players may be resistant to changing mechanics all
players must learn that some mechanical adjustments may be essential
to avoiding injuries and providing long term health. Without sound
and consistent throwing mechanics a player can significantly limit
the amount of strength, endurance and accuracy that can otherwise
be greatly improved. (Note: throwing mechanics may be slightly
different for position players rather than pitchers when long
tossing).
Notes:
• Maximizes arm health, efficiency (injury prevention)
• Provides support for the shoulder/elbow
• Creates consistency (accuracy)
• Arm should be loose and relaxed
Station 5 Long Toss
Getting to know your arm , The Stretching Out Phase
The first key to conditioning your arm is learning how to build
your base at the right pace. Because it will take you four to
six weeks to establish a solid base (possibly twice that long
if you've never been on a long toss program) you must learn how
to "listen" to your arm. One of the most important things
you can do as a player is know your arm. Long tossing will give
you this opportunity because you have to follow the pace of your
arm, rather than throw just for the sake of throwing.
For example, I will often give players three major check points:
1) let the arm stretch itself out with loose arm action, 2) allow
your arm to throw as far as it wants to throw provided that it
"feels good", like a massage, and 3) be aware of keeping
sound mechanics (for consistency and arm support). For someone
who is new to long toss it might take a couple of weeks at a relatively
short distance (100-150 feet) to stretch and lengthen the arm
, to where it feels good , before moving on to the more pivotal
extension and strengthening phase.
As you learn how to throw through a stretch without extra effort
you will notice that the arm has a chance to "open up"
or "air out" without unnecessary strain or pressure.
It is at this point that the arm can breathe, the muscles lengthen.
The arm will thrive on throwing often at this pace. Because the
arm is just stretching out there is little or no swelling from
day to day. In effect, recovery period is virtually eliminated
and the arm yearns for daily throwing.
This is critical because the arm wants to "stretch out"
daily (can you imagine how good your hamstrings would feel if
you stretched them out daily?). The problem has been that most
players don't know what the sensation of throwing daily (correctly/healthfully)
is like because their arms are typically not in good condition
, their arms are sore, irritable and tight from years of improper
throwing.
Note: though the goal (out of season) is to throw
on a daily basis it is typical that the arm will need to be rested
periodically until a base is firmly established.
I. Stretching Out: The goal here is to stretch
or "massage" the arm as you move further away from your
throwing partner. It is not based on the amount of throws you
make or "timed throwing". It is simply based on listening
to your arm and stretching it out at its own pace like any other
muscle.
II. Be sure to stretch the arm out in a manner
that promotes loose arm action and mechanical consistency.
A Word On Distance
As the arm begins to develop endurance it will not only want to
throw more often but it will want to throw more distance. The
stretching phase of throwing will commonly go from, per se, 150
feet to 250 feet in a few weeks time. Again, everyone is different
and some players may take several weeks to stretch out to 250
feet or more. Either way, the length and distance will come in
time as long as smart and consistent throwing is maintained. Also,
it should be noted that when a player goes beyond 150 feet, he
should use his legs to "crow hop". This will help take
pressure off the arm.
The stretching out phase of the long toss is critical for a number
of reasons: 1) stretching helps to heat and open up the arm properly,
2) with distance comes extension and length of the muscles, 3)
arm speed can be better generated as a result of a looser arm,
and 4) the extra distance that has been created allows the arm
to optimize the pull-down and strengthening phase.
II. Pull Down Phase
Where stretching out the arm creates warmth, length and extension,
the pull down phase helps to generate arm speed, arm strength,
lower release point and acceleration or "finish" through
the release point.
Because the muscles have been lengthened, the arm loosened, there
is more space and freedom for the arm to generate a quicker response.
As the arm opens up there is more "freedom" in the arm
to maximize a natural whip. In effect, pulling down is not a grinding
action because the arm has length in it. The pulling down phase
becomes an acceleration through a stretch.
Arm strength becomes a by-product of pulling down because the
additional distance provides the arm with an opportunity to generate
more arm speed on longer, looser and well conditioned muscles.
The amount of throws during the pull down phase will vary but
a rule of thumb is to come in 10 feet at a time with each throw.
That equates to about 19 throws from 250 feet. Once you get to
about 60 or 70 feet, you are free to pull down as long as the
arm "welcomes" the sensation. For some players this
may last for several minutes after the base has been established.
Naturally, you can take a few minutes to warm down once you are
satisfied with the amount of pull downs.
After peaking out through your stretch, you will come back toward
your throwing partner in a very methodical manner. This is to
maximize the length that you have created in your arm (that will
eventually lead to arm speed). As you come in you will notice
that it will take a great deal of concentration to pull through
your stretch without decelerating your arm. If you decelerate
or ease up on your throw you will have missed an opportunity to
increase your arm speed and enhance arm strength.
In order to pull down correctly you must learn to accelerate through
your release point by taking your maximum effort throw (i.e. 300
feet) into each throw on the way back in toward your throwing
partner. For example, each throw on the way in is still a "300
foot throw", the difference is that the length of your throw
is happening at a shorter and shorter distance. Though you will
be throwing the ball a lot harder, if done correctly, you will
be throwing through a stretch without any additional effort. For
this to happen correctly you must stay relaxed over your balance
point, have great downward extension through your release point
and stay mechanically sound or you will launch the ball over your
partners head.
Key Points:
1. Your body language should be loose and relaxed
2. Be aware of your direction and your mechanics
3. Keep your back hip over your back heel (balance)
as long as possible (avoid gaining ground)
4. After your last peak throw come in approximately
10-15 feet per each throw
5. Each pull down should have the same distance
as your peak throw , a 120 foot throw should have the same "distance"
as a 300 foot throw.
6. Always finish through your release point and
miss "lower" than "higher" when pulling down
7. Your focal point should get lower or closer
as you get closer to your throwing partner
8. Work on finishing through your partners opposite
knee without "flying open"
9. Remember that each throw can "gravitate"
or "deviate" your mechanics, release point and muscle
memory At 60-80 feet take as many throws as you need to complete
your work-out. Chances are that your arm will want to throw a
great deal even at 60-80 feet because your arm will have a great
deal of stamina once it gets accustomed to throwing through a
stretch (even though you are pulling down through you throw).
Warm down at your own pace and/or work on mechanics
A Final Word On Long Toss
Long toss is a systematic throwing routine that is designed to
provide the arm with maximum health, strength, endurance, accuracy
and recovery period.
The key to a good throwing program is learning how to listen or
"follow" your arm. Because your arm will eventually
want to throw with more regularity you must learn how to build
a base from which to work from.
Station 6 Post Throwing Conditioning
Conditioning is based predominately on arm care. If your throwing
program completes your throwing for the day you should plan on
running immediately after your last throw. If you plan on throwing
a bull-pen or taking a pre-game than naturally it is not necessary
to do your running until you are finished for the day. A light
set of post-throwing arm circles and surgical tubing exercises
(especially external rotation) may also be done. Running, arm
circles and tubing exercises minimize swelling, promote better
circulation and significantly improve recovery period.
(As seen on front page of Collegiate Baseball Magazine May,
1999)
Long Toss Programs Needed
Rediscovering The Lost Art Of Long Toss
"I'll start playing long toss in January. If I can throw
it 200 feet, I try to throw it 300 feet. I don't stop at 120 feet
, I throw it as far as I can" - Greg Maddux, Pitcher,
Atlanta Braves
Kerry Wood, Matt Morris, Kerry Lightenberg, Alan Benes, Paul Wilson
(twice), Jason Dickson, Jeremi Gonzales, Jason Isringhausen, Bill
Pulsipher, Ben McDonald, Jeff D'Amico, Jason Bere, Mike Grace,
Jeff Wallace, Mike James, Roger Salked , a who's who of extremely
promising pitchers struck down by a major arm injury -- and that's
just the beginning.
Coincidence? I don't think so.
For every famous case, ala Kerry Wood, there are those lesser
known examples where arms are breaking down before they have the
opportunity to reach the Big Leagues... to sign a professional
contract... to step foot on a college campus... to finish their
high school careers.
In your home towns, you will find the Dan Oppermans and Darren
Kerkreits of the world. First round draft picks that you may never
hear of. The Drew Pearces (Cal Berkeley) and John Phillips (UCLA)
-- promising college pitchers that never got the chance to play
pro ball. The Joel Zamudios (Monroe High) and Justin Dunns (St.
Francis High), high school pitchers who can only hope that their
careers can be preserved.
"Last year (1998), three pitchers from my team all had
major arm surgery (two "Tommy Johns", one major shoulder
reconstruction) on the same day " - Anonymous Member
of a Division I power
The numbers are mounting and the Dr. Frank Jobes, Dr. Lewis Yocums
and Dr. James Andrews of the world are getting busier. As a baseball
community, it's time to WAKE UP. There's a serious flaw in our
system, a weak link in our development of baseball players' arms,
and it's undermining their futures.
Why?
"Without the opportunity to long toss the arm isn't able
to gain the strength, length, and endurance it needs. Your arm
will eventually reject you" - Seth Etherton, 1st
Round Draft Choice, Anaheim Angels
There are many reasons a pitcher's (baseball player's) arm breaks
down , why a ligament in the elbow detaches, all or part of the
rotator cuff tears, or the shoulder needs to be reconstructed.
These could be the result of poor mechanics, a lack of monitoring
[a relief pitcher at a Division 1 program told me that he threw
in 14 consecutive games. Later that year he had Tommy John surgery],
throwing with pain on a vulnerable arm, throwing too many pitches
in one particular outing, throwing too many breaking balls, not
enough recovery period time between games, or throwing curves
in Little League.
The good news is that most of these problems are obvious and can
be corrected.
What really alarms me is a seemingly growing trend that is not
so obvious, and perhaps, even more responsible for a deteriorating
arm and a career threatening arm injury. And it comes in an era
when our levels of instruction and technology are at a all time
high. This growing trend is what I refer to as "short toss"
(as opposed to "long toss") , a throwing regimen where
players are advised not to throw beyond 120 feet.
The 120 foot phenomenon
"You do not clone pitchers. If an individual chooses
to long toss, that's fine. You don't give him a distance. Why
there's a limit on 120 feet I do not know" - Leo
Mazzone, Pitching Coach, Atlanta Braves
When I think in terms of a baseball players' arm being deprived
of throwing beyond 120 feet, I immediately feel a tight, tense,
short and rigid sensation from my shoulder to the tips of my finger,
the opposite kind of qualities I would use to describe a healthy
arm - a healthy muscle.
When I think of a healthy arm I think of such characteristics
as stretch, loose, length, strength and endurance. Qualities that
are hard to attain when we're shortening, rather than, lengthening
our arms.
I'm not sure who started it or where it came from but it seems
that in recent years this 120 foot theory has taken root at every
stage of the development of baseball players. It seems to have
become the rule rather than the exception.
"Actually, I realize that throwing 300 feet isn't such
a bad idea...in fact I used to do it myself , but the manual says
to stay at 120 feet, so you must stick by it" - Head
of player development for a Major League Organization to his first
round pick after player pleaded with him to do a long toss program
in the off-season.
The idea originally, behind the "short toss" was that
if you keep a player at 120 feet, he'll throw the ball on a line.
This theoretically will serve two purposes: 1) the player will
be able to keep his shoulders level (avoid "dipping"),
and 2) the release point will stay in similar place because there
is minimal change in the arc of the ball.
Some even suggest that this "short toss" will save the
players' arms by reducing the amount of throws they make.
You make a living throwing a baseball so we encourage them
to throw as often as possible - Leo Mazzone, Pitching
Coach, Atlanta Braves
Mechanical reasons aside, there are two other major contributing
factors to the evolution of the 120 foot throw: 1) timed throwing
and 2) the influence of Major League Organizations.
(1) Timed throwing occurs because coaches are often pressed for
practice time and pitchers have to be at a certain station by
a specific time. But may I ask how, do you time throwing? After
all, isn't the amount of time that you need to throw a personal
thing? Should your arm become a casualty because the bell rings
or you need to go out and shag?
(2) Off-season training programs given out by certain Major League
Organizations have contributed to the short toss phenomenon by
specifically stating not to throw beyond 120 feet in the off-season
(which then tends to carry over into Spring Training). They do
this in order to insure that pitchers have a structured throwing
program in January/February and that they come to camp under the
same homogenous throwing program. But how can one regimen be good
for all players? Players are unique, players have different needs
- many need a lot of time or a lot of distance to get properly
conditioned.
The reality is that not throwing beyond 120 feet just so you can
keep the ball on a line prevents the arm from getting stretched
out, loosened up, and opened up to it's potential. It deprives
the arm and muscles of much needed length, extension and stimulation.
It inhibits the growth of the arm by placing boundaries and limits
on the arm. And for what reason? Because coaches value keeping
the ball on the line. Because coaches have a packed practice plan
and Major League Organizations have to keep everyone at a “secure”
distance. But what could possibly be more important than the health
and longevity of a pitcher's arm?
The arguments against long tossing are that the back shoulder
dips a little and the release point is slightly altered. Before
we go any further, let's take a look at these two misconceptions.
Pulling Down: Reinforcing A Lower Release
Point
The pull down phase of the “long toss” has actually
solidified my release point on all three of my pitches, especially
my curve ball - Barry Zito - All American Pitcher, USC
When a player throws beyond 120 feet, granted, there does comes
a point where his front shoulder must lift slightly and the release
point is slightly altered. This must be done in order to get the
much desired stretch and distance that the arm needs to build
length, strength, endurance and health. It is unavoidable. But
the irony is that the same slight adjustments that are created
by the lifting of the front shoulder and the altering of the release
point are actually regained and reinforced at a lower release
point as the player works his way back in from the desired distance
(pull down phase).
This is because when you begin to take a 250-300 foot throw into
150, 120, 90 and eventually 60 feet, the release point must get
lower. This occurs because the pitcher must learn not to decelerate
the arm as he gets closer and closer to his partner. In other
words, he must take the arm action of his maximum throw that day
(i.e. 250 feet) and “pull it down” into 60 feet.
A 300 foot throw at 60 feet (without decelerating the arm) will
force pitchers to finish through their release point on a downward
plane without trying to throw hard. Concentration skills are developed
because the pitcher must learn to pick a very low focal point
to pull down through (i.e. his partner's shoe), otherwise the
ball will end up going a long way over his partner's head. There
is no way around it.
A number of additional benefits take place when a 300 foot throw
is correctly compressed into a 60 foot throw 1) The arm can generate
natural arm speed and strength because the arm is throwing through
a stretch, 2) The player must learn how to lower, and ultimately
accelerate through his release point, 3) The mind must learn how
to concentrate and finish through a specific focal point (accuracy),
and 4) The looseness and power of an arm that's been properly
stretched out into a shorter throw (60 feet) takes sound mechanics,
balance, rhythm and concentration. Further reinforcement for a
pitcher in a game situation.
I think long toss is a great way to build your arm up - to
get in shape to throw off the mound - Greg Maddux, Pitcher,
Atlanta Braves
So the pull down phase actually helps to reinforce a lot of the
same principles that are critical for a pitcher on the mound:
loose arm action, maximizing arm speed and strength through a
properly stretched out arm, acceleration (finish) through a lower
release point, maintaining concentration, balance and composure.
A far cry from the criticisms of those who discount throwing distance.
The trade-off is simple. Promote health, length, strength, acceleration,
and endurance by long tossing. Promote a shorter arm, tighter
muscles, minimal endurance and vulnerability to arm injuries by
throwing short distances.
Realizing your potential
Put a four foot snake in a five foot cage and its expansion is
limited. Put that same snake in a twenty-five foot cage and an
opportunity of growth presents itself.
My experience from working with pitchers is that if they can throw
in the low to mid 80's they can easily build up to throwing a
baseball 250 feet. If they throw from the mid to high 80's, they
can build up to 250 to 300 feet. Pitchers who throw in the high
80's to low 90's should be able to build up to 300 feet without
any problem. If we use 300 feet as a model for the potential distance
a college or professional pitcher can throw, than a 120 foot throw
equates to 40 % of a that pitcher's potential distance.
That means his arm is only stretching to 40% of its capability.
Now forgive me if I'm having a hard time with this, but how can
it make any sense to suppress the arm's need to expand? I mean,
why do we stretch before we play any sport? Isn't it to enhance
our performance; to give us agility and flexibility; to avoid
injury? So then why is it okay to stretch our arm to only 40%
of it's need. Would a sprinter only stretch 40% of his hamstrings
before running a 100 meter race? Would a hockey goalie stretch
only 40% of his groin before a game? Would a golfer enter a long
drive contest after stretching just 40% of his back?
If you don't stretch your arm out, you are more susceptible
to an injury. I know that from experience - Rudy Seanez,
Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
The point is that a pitcher who throws a baseball 80 to 100 miles
an hour without properly stretching his arm puts himself in jeopardy.
It may not be obvious because 120 feet is just far enough to feel
like a stretch, but it is not a real stretch. It is not the kind
of stretch that the arm truly needs to open up, lengthen out and
establish a base.
Organizations, Coaches etc discourage pitchers from throwing
or put so many limitations on them as to what they can do because
they feel that they will get blamed if there is a breakdown -
Leo Mazzone, Pitching Coach, Atlanta Braves
Can you tell I'm frustrated? Wouldn't you be if you put a pitcher
into a training program to stretch, strengthen and condition his
arm, only to watch his arm regress because he's been put in a
throwing program that does not allow him to exceed 120 feet. Or
worse, to watch him spend a year and a half rehabilitating his
arm after a major arm surgery because he wasn't given the proper
time or distance that is necessary to keep his arm healthy. I
haven't seen the throwing program at every High School, Junior
College and four year College. I haven't seen every Major League's
Off Season throwing manual. But I have seen enough and heard enough
over the past several years to be alarmed. If we don't make an
adjustment soon, we are going to continue to see this growing
trend of major arm injuries. In other words, shattered dreams
and broken hearts.
Long Toss is a very important part of conditioning and training
for everyone - Dr. Lewis Yocum, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic
Clinic
For those coaches who subscribe to distance throwing, to some
form of long toss, I can only say that you are doing your best
to insure that your players are optimizing their arms - and staying
healthy. For those of you who have subscribed to the theory of
the 120 foot toss or timed throwing I hope that you will take
this article to heart and reevaluate your throwing program.
We are, after all, all dedicated to the same thing - the well
being and success of our players.
Note -- I would sincerely like to thank the Atlanta Braves Pitching
Coach Leo Mazzone and Pitching Staff and all of those players
who have contributed to this article and this cause.
Alan Jaeger is the founder of the Jaeger Baseball Academy in
Los Angeles, CA and has worked with several High School and
College
players, including All Americans Seth Etherton (USC), Barry Zito
(USC), and David Walling (Arkansas), and over 60 professional
players including Major Leaguers Rudy Seanez, Steve Reed, John
Snyder, Mike Lieberthal and Ken Caminiti. For more information
about Alan's long toss program or baseball academy, contact us
at 310 665 0746 or alan@jaegersports.com
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