Inside elbow muscle

What is your son doing after he pitches? He needs to be doing some exercises,tubing, running etc. That may loosen it up but if it continues there might be cause for concern.

Hi bb1 and welcome to hsbaseballweb,

He doesn't do anything specific after his session.
He is currently up to about a 55 pitch session (in addition to warmup throwing and long toss). He typically gets in alot of running the next day during his basketball team's practice.

Thanks,
cv

quote:

Originally posted by CoachVictory:
My son is pitching once a week with his pitching coach. Usually the next day it feels like there is a hard muscle "knot" on the inside of his pitching elbow. There is no pain either when pitching or afterwards. The "knot" usually loosens up by the 2nd day. Does this sound like something to be concerned about?

This is weird.

I would go see a doctor.

Also, when throwing, does your son...

1. Show the ball to 2B/CF or to 3B/SS?
2. Always try to keep his fingers on top of the ball?

My son also works with a pitching coach and he has them do what they call a body blade before and after throwing. It's basically a long flexible tube that they have to shake. Ask the coach if he can recommend something. He should have some exercises he can do, see if that helps if not get him into a doctor.

Thanks for the replies,

painguy: He at least strives to show the ball pointed toward 2nd base (and keep his fingers on top). Next session I will check to make sure.

bb1: I will ask his instructor about exercised to try to keep the elbow loose.

Thanks again,
CV

quote:

Originally posted by CoachVictory:
painguy: He at least strives to show the ball pointed toward 2nd base (and keep his fingers on top). Next session I will check to make sure.

Wait...

I asked because I think this is BAD (but common) advice that in my experience frequently leads to elbow problems.

I prefer that guys follow the example of guys like Greg Maddux, Roy Oswalt, and Roger Clemens and show the ball to SS if not 3B. I also like guys to show their palm to 3B relatively soon after breaking their hands, which puts the fingers on the side of the ball.

Interesting, as a kid I always heard point to second with the fingers on top. This seems logical though, less stressfull on many things.

quote:

Originally posted by Dtiger:
Interesting, as a kid I always heard point to second with the fingers on top. This seems logical though, less stressfull on many things.

I have heard it too and it drives me crazy. It's a completely questionable piece of advice that's taken on a life of its own.

First, it's not what the greats did (e.g. Ryan, Koufax, Gibson, Seaver, etc.). Second, only one major leaguer actually does both of these things (Danys Baez). Third, it may increase the risk that a pitcher will experience elbow problems.

Here are a couple more photos of Nolan Ryan, Jamie Moyer, and Tom Seaver not doing it...

Ya, when I was up in a camp the head coach of a college talked to me (he was a former minor leaguer for the Pirates) and he also said that he believes the point to 2nd base is wrong. To me it just seems a whole lot more naturally NOT to point it directly at 2nd base and I also feel like I have more power when it's pointed at SS or 3B. The only negative effect I can possibly find for pointing it at SS or 3B is that some kids MIGHT not get the elbow up enough and could end up "pushing" the ball instead of throwing it.

Actually, in the pictures above, Ryan and Moyer are pointing the ball almost directly at the second base bag. Though I don't know if Moyer's is a good example, since he is clearly throwing a change-up in that picture. As is Seaver in that picture of him.

I don't know that I buy the notion that facing second base with the ball increases elbow stress. If it does, you're not throwing the ball correctly. The reason to point the ball back is to get your wrist in position to whip the ball better. If you try to replace the wrist action with extra elbow effort instead, that might indeed cause a problem, but it would be a problem that could be easily corrected with sound instruction.

I do agree that the fingers should be on the side of the ball, in a more vertical position, as opposed to "on top of the ball". I don't know how you would throw from "on top of the ball" unless you were trying to turn the ball over and do something funky.

Facing the ball toward SS is what I would recommend.

Using still pics to say where the pitcher points the ball is not necessarily valid. Watching video to determine is more accurate.

I would recommend going to drmikemarshall.com
and reference the question and answer section 2005.
Elbow and shoulder is the topic of discussion.

CoachVictory, my son had the same exact problem. He is a 15yr old high school pitcher/catcher. He could play the catcher position, play long toss, throw the ball around all day long with no issues. Put him on the mound and he would get a little knot on the inside of his elbow. His pitching instructor found that when he brought his arm back and up he would drop his elbow down right before he would deliver and then lead with his elbow. Once we corrected that issue we had no more problems.