Improving Velocity -What are the odds?

Great stuff BigL.

You are in Texas so get in contact with Ron Wolforth.

It gets tougher as you go but in this particular case there are too many variables involved for anyone to know what the odds are. Working 87-88 with some pitchability is adequate for D1 ball. It would take something more in the way of velocity, command, movement or off speed pitches to be a top D1 pitcher.

Wolforth is a good source but his methods are rigorous so I don't how that would dovetail with his past injuries.

Letting loose would almost certainly help but how can any of us say if that would be the right thing to do even if we knew exactly what injuries he had in the past? There's also a difference between letting loose for a few pitches and pitching several innings in a game. 90% is pretty reasonable for a starter.

In any case, all you can do is keep trying and see what happens regardless of what the odds may be. Why would he let the odds stop him?

He absolutely believes he can get to 88 by spring with good control so he is not even considering the possibility of failure - and his work ethic is exceptional. As his Dad, I'm just trying to get feedback from experienced people so that I have a better knowledge when talking with him. However, I am being extremely careful not to undermines his motivation and goals.

He went to Wolforth's boot camp after his junior year in high school. While doing the workout that he had learned at the boot camp that winter he seriously injured his elbow with the weighted balls. The injury didn't heal until April so he only pitched 3 innings his senior year. I don't think he'll try that again even though he may have been executing the drills incorrectly.

That's an interesting data point. Do you mind sharing what the injury was and how the weighted balls may have caused it? I'm guessing BOF would be interested in hearing about that.

Interesting about the Wolforth routines. We have not been there but my son takes occasional lessons from one of his followers out here in Ca. I have often wondered about kids going to his camp and getting over zealous in his workouts. You can gain velocity though hard work and workouts but you cannot overstress or accelerate the process too much also. If he has been to Wolforth I assume he is long tossing. If not Jaegersports has the bands and thrive on throwing CD. Core and leg workouts will help, compound Olympic lifts, with sprinting 2x per week will also help. I have the unbreakable abs CD from Jon Doyle and like it.

If he is doing his workouts, long toss and working with a pitching coach then he should be good. IMO he must rest his arm if you throw year round you are asking for problems.

I'll answer both posts above.
The injury was a ruptured tendon in his elbow. He went to the camp in late July 2007 (i believe) and the injury occurred in early January of 2008, so he had been doing Wolforth' drills for about 5 months without a problem. The doctor felt like he should let it heal naturally thru physical therapy.
Ron was a great motivator and after doing the workouts fairly consistently for those 5 months he had seen no improvement in speed. In fact, when he picked the fall season with his high school team, his arm was constantly sore. I think when my son saw no improvement he thought it meant he had to work harder, so he got over zealous, as you mention.
He didn't pith but 3 or so innings his senior year (spring '08) and did not throw again until he pitched in a men's league in the fall of '09. In january '09 he made the DIII JUCO college team.
This summer while he worked out to the max he rested his arm and did not throw from a mound although he did do some long toss.
His current routine includes conditioning his legs and core, running, long tossing and throwing once a week 2 or 3 innings in scrimmages. He eats very nutritional and is trying to gain another 12-20 lbs without bulking up. He does a lot of stretching, including bands, and some Yoga.
Thanks for all of the info and help. I'll look for the abs CD.

Very interesting story BigL, sounds like a motivated boy you have there. There are lots of people who will tell you they have the magic bullet for velocity improvement, but in the end it takes hard work and dedication. If there was a 3MPH pill you could sell then you would be a rich man…or in jail as the case may be with BALCO characters. Not much more to add other than mechanics do make a difference so a good coach can help.

I do know you will get a bump in velocity with a real dedicated long toss routine, but you really need to do this when you are not pitching too much as in getting ready for a season. Also a light / heavy ball routine will give you a bump, but they must be 6/5/4 oz not the real heavy balls you see people use. I have the PDF of the program that a high school used that can send you via email if you PM me your email address.

Good luck!

I have 10 sets of 6/(5)/4 weighted balls so I'll email you.