Was reading another thread and they were discussing the pros and cons of swimming and baseball. Always looking for additional workouts. Thought I might get some useful info.
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My son lifeguards as his part time job year round and he plays HS Varsity sports. Not sure if the two have any corrilation, but he says that his mandated lap swimming works wonders on his cardio and proves to be a good additional non-stress, low impact workout to his regular baseball and football workouts.
We havent experienced any negatives so far.
We havent experienced any negatives so far.
At my son's JUCO, they had swim sessions with laps and pool exercises several times a week (early morning 
). At his new school they don't use the pool. I think swimming is an excellent way for players and people to stay in shape.... I'm kinda surprised they don't use it at his current school.
). At his new school they don't use the pool. I think swimming is an excellent way for players and people to stay in shape.... I'm kinda surprised they don't use it at his current school.
My slightly edited post from the other thread:
One of the D1s we visited this year has their pitchers and catchers swim 3x a week during the off season as part of training to keep them flexible and develop long/lean muscle, and strengthen rotator cuff muscles. This made so much sense to me, as I've seen how it enhances my son's upper body strength, flexibility, and core strength. He's a sprinter so there is work on quick bursts off blocks, and they do dry-land training as well, especially leg work which is helpful for him as a catcher. He seems to start the season in better shape than most.
Swimmers can have shoulder problems if technique is poor in swim strokes like fly and back, and there is a tendency among highly competitive swimmers (IMO) to overwork in order to continuously shave off tiny bits of time. But for the average athlete using it as a workout tool, I think swimming can be a nice compliment to baseball. For my son it's been a good 2nd sport because it is primarily a late fall/winter sport in HS, and the workouts keep him in great shape.
I know a few other swimmer/ball players (three pitchers) and none have had problems.
One of the D1s we visited this year has their pitchers and catchers swim 3x a week during the off season as part of training to keep them flexible and develop long/lean muscle, and strengthen rotator cuff muscles. This made so much sense to me, as I've seen how it enhances my son's upper body strength, flexibility, and core strength. He's a sprinter so there is work on quick bursts off blocks, and they do dry-land training as well, especially leg work which is helpful for him as a catcher. He seems to start the season in better shape than most.
Swimmers can have shoulder problems if technique is poor in swim strokes like fly and back, and there is a tendency among highly competitive swimmers (IMO) to overwork in order to continuously shave off tiny bits of time. But for the average athlete using it as a workout tool, I think swimming can be a nice compliment to baseball. For my son it's been a good 2nd sport because it is primarily a late fall/winter sport in HS, and the workouts keep him in great shape.
I know a few other swimmer/ball players (three pitchers) and none have had problems.
i am a swimmer. I swam throughout high school, and now that my juco doesnt have a swimming pool i miss it. swimming is a great workout.
quillgirl, i did strain my pec one time in warm ups. the trainer said it wasnt any big deal but the next week when i got to baseball practice it got agrivated taking swings. i couldnt swing a bat for about 2 weeks till it healed.
quillgirl, i did strain my pec one time in warm ups. the trainer said it wasnt any big deal but the next week when i got to baseball practice it got agrivated taking swings. i couldnt swing a bat for about 2 weeks till it healed.
in college we regularly did pool workouts in our offseason...never knew you could sweat in a pool, but we did!!!
Son swims for his HS swim team. Coach talked him into it last year and he says it helps him stay in shape and develop arm strength.They swim a day and lift a day. Competitions are at the end of the week. He is a pitcher for his HS team and the first few days of spring ball when everyone else is huffing and puffing, the boys who chose to swim are very fit!!! By the way, his relay team is less than 1/2 of a second away from qualifying for states!(maybe tonight!) He has never played another sport in his life except baseball 
As has been noted above, swimming can be great if the technique is sound. I have seen several swimming related shoulder injuries, but most are just conditions that were already there and have been aggravated by the arm motions involved. I know a few other high level athletes that spend a lot of time in the pool, but they focus more on underwater running and other movements more than actual swimming.
lvthgame, your son is very lucky to have a chance to make it to state. im not sure how they do th swimming where you are from but in texas you must make top 6 in district and then top 6 in regionals. kids that make it to state down here always have scholarship oppurtunities for swimming.
rock44, thanks! they qualify on their times.So not as tough as you had it. Sorry you no longer have a pool to use. We joined a local holiday inn fitness club so we have access to the pool when the season is over. Maybe you can check into that..cheap too!
Son went to Florida Atlantic Camp last year, they told him to swim as much as possible. Easy for Floridians, they are surrounded by a pool.
As an Ex competitive swimmer in college I would highly discourage both sports! If swimming is only recreational then it's ok. Many swimmers including myself have shoulder problems. Swimming is one of the most un-natural movements you can perform and at a competition level that movement is repeated over and over. As a distance swimmer I loved the sport and I know there is new and improved trainging methods but if your going to play baseball train for baseball. I do agree some cross-over training is good once in a while but limit your self as to not cause an unwanted injury. Throwing does not have the same sort of movement (different muscle groups, different angles, engaged at different times) and the only benefit would be aerobic or anaerobic exercise depending on the training and you can get that from a good run or walk.
My HS son just completed a D-1 university strength and conditioning camp and the question was asked about swimming. The coach, who has spent over 12 years as a major league strength coach said that baseball players should not swim to condition their arms. The arm motion is counter to the motion used in throwing. You wouldn't be strengthening the right muscles. Throwing is the best way to strengthen your throwing arm...long toss...band work...and some weighted ball drills. There are also some other land based drills they use as well such as basic push ups, wheelbarrel type of drills etc.
linedrive - Good to see you over here on the "other side." 
ATC,
I'm not sure the rest of the country wants to hear my long winded diatribes, but I like the information on this side...and its just baseball...that I really like.
I'm not sure the rest of the country wants to hear my long winded diatribes, but I like the information on this side...and its just baseball...that I really like.