I thought many of you Dads and young pitchers might find this article from ex-MLB player Dick Mills who is now a Pitching Instructor on what stretching can do to a Pitcher before he pitches. The Q&A is from his website, www.pitching.com in the articles section. ( Questions & Answers About Baseball Pitching Mechanics, Pitching Velocity, Pitching Control, Pitching Arm Injuries, Pitching Faults, Pitching Drills & Conditioining The Pitcher For Strength & Power)
Q: You say that stretching actually leads to injury and reduces velocity. Can you explain?
Mills: In early 2005, a study came out that proved that stretching actually increases joint mobility which for pitchers can lead to joint injury. There is a fine line between too much flexibility and not enough stability. The pitcher's shoulder is already the most loose joint in the body. Stretching causes laxity or looseness which is a leading cause of pitching arm injuries. A pitcher or baseball player will normally reach his full range of motion by doing the specific activity such as pitching.
Also stretching reduces the muscles' and connective tissues' ability to store elastic energy which is a leading cause of ball velocity. If stretching is done, it should never be done prior to a game, despite what major league players do. Lower body stretching should also not be done because it can lead to more groin, hip or hamstring injuries.
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