Flat ground pitching

Pitching off of the mound increases dramatically the strain on the arm. Working on flat ground allows for the player to concentrate on their mechanics while not doing damage to the arm. I think a balance of flat ground and mound work is appropriate, with the lion share of non-game pitching being done on flat ground.

Throwing from a mound puts 6 times more stress on the arm than flat ground (that's from Tom House, not me).

Flat work is good for the begining of the season work, butI've never heard of it causing strngth gains. Unless because of less stain on the arm you can throw more. Only a guess though

"You should enter a ballpark the way you enter a church." Bill -Spaceman- Lee

I agree! I just wanted to see what some of you had to say about this topic.


I personally believe that if it is less stressful, then you are more likely not to gain velocity by throwing on flat ground. But, I guess the whole purpose of this is to gain a greater number of pitches per practice.

I think it depends upon your definition of flat ground pitching. Many programs emphasis throwing off of flat ground before and behind the mound as a part of a comprehensive throwing program. Example, drill work and any off speed work should be started at approximately 30 feet and then progress back to the front of the mound. We were given some ideas a couple of years ago from one of the guys in the White Sox's organization about also including throwing from just beyond the backside of the mound. What does all of this benefit the pitcher. Control and perhaps a little in arm strength. Not much. The control part comes from form pitching and then getting the feel of the ball as it comes off of the fingers. It also comes from the coach standing there focused on one facet of the delivery at a distance where they can get more reps. Hope this is what you are talking about and it helps.

"There comes a time when you have to stop dreaming of the man you want to be and start being the man you have become." Bruce Springsteen

That does help!

THANKS!