Long Toss for 10 yr old

I'd say about 3 times a week maximum once the season is over. I'd recommend being careful to increase the distance gradually (both during a session and from session to session) and stop when his arm starts getting tired or he looks like he might be getting tired. If he ends up pitching or throwing a long bullpen during that week then eliminate one or more of the long toss sessions.

The bottom line is that while increasing his arm strength at 10yo is a good thing there isn't enough advantage to be gained to justify going overboard.

He is 10 years of age--let him just play catch every day--no need for anything more than that

I agree with keeping it fun, and unstructured. Just let him throw it as far as he wants to during and normal "play catch" session. Few times a week should be good.

Hey I agree with TR - twice in a week.. WOOO HOOO

For now just throw a lot. He is not too far off however.

I took my son to one of Alan Jaeger's camps starting his last season of "Majors" - he was 11 going on 12. He did his 'Jr. bands" and long toss mixed in with games/practice which came out about 3x per week.

He obviously benefited from the instruction, but was around older players and he saw how important arm care was and how seriously they took it. He continues to be the most prepared player arm wise in the High School program he is in.

I don't think they get out to Florida but go check their web site and you can get a set of Jr bands and the thrive on throwing CD when he gets a little bit older.

In 90% of the U.S., playing catch everyday probably works out to about 3-4 times a week, what-with rain, extreme heat, vacation days and a zillion other summertime distractions.


Should add that not many Dads can probably handle playing catch every day

Why does he have to play catch with his dad?

Arent there other kids in the neighborhood?

This is the problem with the thinking today--if daddy is not there they cannot play catch---crapola---find another kid in the neighborhood and get it going---next thing you know you will have enough players for a game of "punch ball" in the street--uhoh who has the chalk to mark the bases?

No problem TR. Just throw down an extra mit for the bases. That's what we used to do.

TR,
The other kids are all playing s#^%er. Remember the Harry Chapin song?

quote:

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

...And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I still enjoy playing long toss with my son despite the pain and having to run up 30yds to be able to get the ball to him. It works better when he can find another player but I enjoy filling in when necessary.

quote:

Originally posted by CADad:
I still enjoy playing long toss with my son despite the pain and having to run up 30yds to be able to get the ball to him. It works better when he can find another player but I enjoy filling in when necessary.

Yep. Or you could try what I do and use a bat! If I hit it real good....I can still reach him.

Age 10 seems young. Just have him throw and have fun. Bum, Jr. has been long-tossing 5-6x week continuously since age 12. I don't have any particular reason not to do it at age 10 except that it insinuates you're taking the training aspect way too serious way too early.

Be wary of pitching him at age 10. All of the "pitchers" Bum, Jr. played with at that age are no longer pitchers. For good reason. It is rare for a 10 y.o. to have good mechanics (despite what you may believe) and once ingrained into them these (improper) mechanics are hard to change. Wait til the kid is 13 or so then get him qualified pitching instruction.

I would guess 99% of dads who read what I just wrote above would blissfully ignore it. Everyone wants "Johnny" to be a pitcher. But pitching is like a fine wine that can only get better with patience and time.

quote:

Originally posted by BOF:
Hey I agree with TR - twice in a week.. WOOO HOOO

For now just throw a lot. He is not too far off however.

I took my son to one of Alan Jaeger's camps starting his last season of "Majors" - he was 11 going on 12. He did his 'Jr. bands" and long toss mixed in with games/practice which came out about 3x per week.

He obviously benefited from the instruction, but was around older players and he saw how important arm care was and how seriously they took it. He continues to be the most prepared player arm wise in the High School program he is in.

I don't think they get out to Florida but go check their web site and you can get a set of Jr bands and the thrive on throwing CD when he gets a little bit older.

The one at the end of December? My son was there. He is 15 years old and is throwing the ball over 300 feet.

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:
Age 10 seems young. Just have him throw and have fun. Bum, Jr. has been long-tossing 5-6x week continuously since age 12. I don't have any particular reason not to do it at age 10 except that it insinuates you're taking the training aspect way too serious way too early.

Be wary of pitching him at age 10. All of the "pitchers" Bum, Jr. played with at that age are no longer pitchers. For good reason. It is rare for a 10 y.o. to have good mechanics (despite what you may believe) and once ingrained into them these (improper) mechanics are hard to change. Wait til the kid is 13 or so then get him qualified pitching instruction.

I would guess 99% of dads who read what I just wrote above would blissfully ignore it. Everyone wants "Johnny" to be a pitcher. But pitching is like a fine wine that can only get better with patience and time.

I have noticed the same thing of many of the "then great" 10, 11 & 12 year old pitchers. I feel fortunate that he had been overlooked back then because of his lack of size. He is now 6' 1" and may be going through another spurt, as he has outgrown his new baseball pants I bought him in January.

MTS, size was something I probably worried about too much and only now can laugh about. Bum, Jr. due to his size had to learn to pitch and compete first.

BOF,
Probably the years that CASon missed due to injuries he got from growing too fast.

He's done the summer camp since 10yo other than a couple years missed due to injuries. This last summer he went to the camp but didn't throw due to a 6 week layoff resulting from a little holdover from those growth related injuries. Once the HS season ends we'll try to get a long toss program going and then we're taking a vacation toward the end of July, early August when we'll let his arm rest for a couple weeks and then if we can fit it in he'll do the Jaeger camp this summer as part of getting his arm back in shape and building his arm strength for next season. I've found that his gains in distance/velocity tend to come in the weeks of long toss after the camp and that the camp is just a good start. After the Jaeger camp this last summer he got up to 285' but then had to stop the long toss to start throwing pens to get ready for winterball. His velocity is up a couple mph since then so I'd expect he'll reach about 300' fairly quickly. If he makes it to the camp it should be fun for Alan and Vatch to see the little guy from back then airing it out.

quote:

Originally posted by Marklaker:
My 10 year old son is in his second year of pitching. ! Mark

Sir,

Since you love your 10 year old son, (who is in his "second" year of pitching in two leagues) and that you want to develop his talents safely, the best of the best advice this old greying baseball man can offer to you, is for your son to play 3b, swing a bat, play everyday, and for him (and you) to wait until he is sixteen years old before even thinking about returning to the bump.

Best regards,

Bear

Well said Bear !!!

Pretty good advice from Bear except I am not sure waiting until 16 would allow him to pitch much in HS.(Soph yr to start?) Maybe 12-13 or latest 14 and with not too many innings would be advisable, otherwise the "train will have left the station" unless the kid is exceptional, then does not matter how long he waits to take the hill. By all means however focusing on playing (a lot) and don't get too pitching focused is sound advice.

Composure, some basic skills, and experience are needed at least out here in Ca (and probably FL) to make a HS team as a pitcher. Granted many burn out too soon so it is a balance that you need to find.

On my son's Fresh team the number 1 and 2 take 70% of the innings, and the 3-5 get what's left. They will focus on development in the summer but unless there is a real hard thrower they are going to focus on the kids who have been pitching and have some skills. May not be right, just the way it is.

CaDAD: Jim and Allen love it when they see kids they have worked with airing it out and taking care of their arms. We tend to do the winter camp as a ramp up for baseball season, but might do the summer camp this year.