2008
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
20-25 is perfect for a side session. My understanding is that MLB'ers warm-up and then throw 25 off the mound the day after a start. Day two = rest, day three = light toss and/or light jog, Day 4 = pitch again or light cardio work (jog or bike).
As for the starter, I probably would've thrown him a touch more...but all FB at 75% is the right tempo, in my opinion.
As for the starter, I probably would've thrown him a touch more...but all FB at 75% is the right tempo, in my opinion.
Well it goes beyond everyone needs to throw X number of this. One guy may be feeling great and can throw a little more while one guy might be feeling like garbage and can throw a little.
They need to do something on the side to work mechanics more than arm endurance - especially if they play another position.
If they pitch on Monday and go around 60 or pitches (once again it depends on the kid) then Tuesday that kid will not pick up a ball. They will not take IF / OF with the team at their regular position.
Wednesday they will go back to their regular position for either a game or practice. They are on their own in terms of throwing for that day. If they feel they can turn it loose we let them but if they are still feeling then they throw to get loose. In very extreme cases we shut them down again for another day.
Thursday we will have them throw a bullpen but concentrate on mechanics. This might be in practice or after a game.
Then Friday they are back eligible for another start if they feel like it.
Our guys have a lot of freedom in telling us whether or not they feel good or not. Each kid is totally different and we are not going to have them be robots out there. Our guys are pretty honest with us and we trust them. Maybe we are lucky or maybe we have done a great job of teaching them but it has worked for several years now.
Just for clarification when I say we turn them loose they have checked in with my pitching coach as to how they feel and he watches them throw and monitors them.
They need to do something on the side to work mechanics more than arm endurance - especially if they play another position.
If they pitch on Monday and go around 60 or pitches (once again it depends on the kid) then Tuesday that kid will not pick up a ball. They will not take IF / OF with the team at their regular position.
Wednesday they will go back to their regular position for either a game or practice. They are on their own in terms of throwing for that day. If they feel they can turn it loose we let them but if they are still feeling then they throw to get loose. In very extreme cases we shut them down again for another day.
Thursday we will have them throw a bullpen but concentrate on mechanics. This might be in practice or after a game.
Then Friday they are back eligible for another start if they feel like it.
Our guys have a lot of freedom in telling us whether or not they feel good or not. Each kid is totally different and we are not going to have them be robots out there. Our guys are pretty honest with us and we trust them. Maybe we are lucky or maybe we have done a great job of teaching them but it has worked for several years now.
Just for clarification when I say we turn them loose they have checked in with my pitching coach as to how they feel and he watches them throw and monitors them.
I think the third day after a start should be the serious bullpen day. If a kid pitches Tuesday 5-7 innings with low-to-moderate pitch count, why not let him close or otherwise relieve on Friday (if neccessary) a few innings (35 pitches or less).
As for "not picking up a ball" I don't agree with that. Why not moderately throw a day after pitching to get the arm going?
As for "not picking up a ball" I don't agree with that. Why not moderately throw a day after pitching to get the arm going?
BUM
I am with you--I like to see pitchers "play catch" the day after pitching a game--
I am with you--I like to see pitchers "play catch" the day after pitching a game--
Mine throws everyday, the days he doesn't pitch or do pen he tosses, not on the mound, it is not required. What does change daily is his conditioning routine.
Bum makes a great suggestion for HS, pitcher can get his BP in an inning in a game as a reliever on third day, if he has not thrown too much his last outing. It helps arms. I've seen this in the college game, on pitchers BP day he may pitch an inning depending on his last outing or if needed, if not he pitches his BP. When son was in college, he would start a weekday, max innings for a win then do his pen as reliever on the weekend. As a weekend guy expected to go 7 at least, it wasn't done.
A coach can get so much out of their pitching staff if they use them and treat them wisely.
Bum makes a great suggestion for HS, pitcher can get his BP in an inning in a game as a reliever on third day, if he has not thrown too much his last outing. It helps arms. I've seen this in the college game, on pitchers BP day he may pitch an inning depending on his last outing or if needed, if not he pitches his BP. When son was in college, he would start a weekday, max innings for a win then do his pen as reliever on the weekend. As a weekend guy expected to go 7 at least, it wasn't done.
A coach can get so much out of their pitching staff if they use them and treat them wisely.
TR and Bum the one thing I didn't mention about our guys is that they are running A LOT the next day and then a fair amount until their next start.
I know there are other ways of doing it and they are very successful but this works for us. Since we started doing this about 3 or 4 years ago we have yet to have a kid with any major arm trouble.
Your body can do a lot of things if you prepare for it. If you are consistent in the plan then more times than naught you should be fine. But sometimes you have kids who are just weaker or stronger.
I know there are other ways of doing it and they are very successful but this works for us. Since we started doing this about 3 or 4 years ago we have yet to have a kid with any major arm trouble.
Your body can do a lot of things if you prepare for it. If you are consistent in the plan then more times than naught you should be fine. But sometimes you have kids who are just weaker or stronger.