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I realize it is only August, but I can already "feel" the cold weather coming. Does anyone have any suggestions for long toss/throwing in the cold weather. It gets pretty cold here in KC in the late fall and stays around until late March in most cases. An inside area would be nice, although there are not many available that would work for long toss. Any suggestions would be helpful......
Respect the game.............and yourself.
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Good question. This past year my son was put in a game without warming up. He has had good pitching instruction from the time he was young. I don't know alot about pitching but was wondering if the following was true. When my son questioned the coach about putting him in (weather around 37 degrees) without warming up he told the entire bullpen that if they would run before the game they would only need 10 pitches to warm up. Is this really true. He said every pitch he was worried about possibly damaging his arm.
I would not long-toss outside unless it is 42 degrees plus. Obviously, in a game situation, you may have to.. so wear underarmour, a sweatshirt, run, and warm up slowly. Avoid sweating since this will make you even colder. While pitching between innings wear a sweatshirt or coat in the dugout and use a heat pack if desired.

If you feel you (or your son) will be put into a cold-weather situation next year, the best prevention is a good offseason program of long-tossing. My sons simulated long-toss by throwing against a racquetball court wall. You can do it at home, too, by rigging a net to throw into. Just simulate the throwing arc (higher going out, lower going in). Read up on the Jaeger long-toss method.

My LHP-son has lived in Nevada and Washington, and has thrown in 35-degree weather and 112-degree weather. I can tell you it is just a matter of adapting and I don't see cold weather as being harmful to a well-prepared arm. In fact, heat may be worse in that kids get fatigued and dehydrated, the legs tire, and the mechanics change. He will pitch at WSU next year, a definite cold-weather school, but after spending all winter at 20-35 when it hits 40+ in February it feels downright balmy.
Last edited by Bum

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