Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Pitching question

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Philbob

Checkout the FInch Site.
http://www.finchwindmill.com/

I found that the Windmill encourages a smooth motion and a left/right balanced Athlete. My older dd used the windmill religiously and never suffered an overuse injury. I think the 5 minutes that she spent everyday with it had a lot to do with her success.

The initial exercise is
right arm clockwise-10 reps
right arm counter-clockwise-10 reps
left arm clockwise-10 reps
left arm counter-clockwise-10 reps
both arms clockwise-10 reps
both arms counter-clockwise-10 reps

The resistance and/or the reps can be increased as she gets stronger. Remember that you are looking to build quick-twitch muscles and just bigger biceps.

 

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The shoulder icing harness, although very worthwhile for baseball pitchers (my son used one), limits where you can apply the ice. For your softball pitcher, invest in some cheap variety stretch film (Saran wrap) and zip-lock sandwich bags. DD frequently had sore forearm muscles after an outing, and her college trainer would just bag some ice, and wrap it into place with a few layers of the stretch film - no tape needed. Great stuff, and quick and easy. For home use you could also use the freezer gel-packs.

 

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Sammy

The one that I bought has an arm wrap attached to the shoulder harness. In fact I think the softball and baseball versions are identical.

I went whole hog and got the shoulder/arm, ankle boot and the knee wrap all in one package (an insulated container). Can't tell you how many times those other pieces have been used by the team for various bumps and bruises. I have been able to ice all of the various body parts that need to be iced.

I've used the ice and stretch film for years, it leaks, you have to find ice, the players don't leave it on long enough and it looks like they are seriously injured. The shoulder harness looks like you know what you are doing and are preventing injuries. Most colleges now use the icing harness after a pitcher has worked a game. I believe these things cost about one or two lessons. It seems foolish not to ice and not to so conveniently

The one that I have used is below.

http://www.softball.com/Sports-Medi...ntCatId/512/N/34+36+1100225/view/13/index.pro

http://www.softball.com/Sports-Medi...ntCatId/512/N/34+36+1100225/view/13/index.pro

 

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Fair,

A wise investment on your part and on the part of your daughter. I wish more parents would pay attention and make their pitchers Ice after competition.

Dana.

 

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Sammy

The one that I bought has an arm wrap attached to the shoulder harness. In fact I think the softball and baseball versions are identical.

I went whole hog and got the shoulder/arm, ankle boot and the knee wrap all in one package (an insulated container). Can't tell you how many times those other pieces have been used by the team for various bumps and bruises. I have been able to ice all of the various body parts that need to be iced.

I've used the ice and stretch film for years, it leaks, you have to find ice, the players don't leave it on long enough and it looks like they are seriously injured. The shoulder harness looks like you know what you are doing and are preventing injuries. Most colleges now use the icing harness after a pitcher has worked a game. I believe these things cost about one or two lessons. It seems foolish not to ice and not to so conveniently

The one that I have used is below.

http://www.softball.com/Sports-Medicine/Hot-Cold/Express-Ice-Exclusive-XGear-Bundle--EIBUN/softball/lev/6/productId/12084/Nty/1/Ns/CATEGORY_SEQ_512|0/Ne/31/parentCatId/512/N/34+36+1100225/view/13/index.pro

http://www.softball.com/Sports-Medicine/Hot-Cold/Express-Ice-Adult-XGear-Shoulder-Wrap-/softball/lev/6/productId/860/Nty/1/Ns/CATEGORY_SEQ_512|0/Ne/31/parentCatId/512/N/34+36+1100225/view/13/index.pro

I applaud you for going all-out. But I have to disagree on your following paragraph:

"The shoulder harness looks like you know what you are doing and are preventing injuries. Most colleges now use the icing harness after a pitcher has worked a game. I believe these things cost about one or two lessons. It seems foolish not to ice and not to so conveniently"

First of all, I do not consider vanity ("looks like you know what you're doing") a necessary aspect of therapeutic treatment. Secondly, if you are getting leaks, I would suggest using better zip-lock bags and using better technique!

If most colleges are now using these specialty icing devices, why are many DI trainers STILL using the technique I described? Physical therapy and sports med professionals still use the good old ice/bag technique. Are you saying "sports med professionals don't look like they know what they're doing" when using bagged ice??

If you have instilled a serious attitude about good training habits in your players, they WILL leave the ice on. Convenience? Coolers with ice are more common than walking tacos at ball fields; Zip lock bags (the non-leaking type ) are extremely cheap; Ditto for cling wrap; And the bonus is the player can just toss the whole "wrap" when they're done - no worries about getting expensive equipment returned.

After her rotator cuff surgery, my wife used a water jacket/icing shoulder harness attached by tubes to an ice/water filled cooler. It was very effective and reasonably convenient. I'm sure it wasn't cheap, but since the insurance paid for it, it beat the socks of of bagged ice! But hey... it sure looked good...

 

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Once again everyone, great thread! Thanks for the replies to my questions.

Mike

 

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I think that shoulder harness is something we'll be looking into for next year.

 

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Phil,

Why put off for tomorrow what may save your daughters arm today?

 

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Sammy
Please, go ahead and use your zip-lock and wrap. It will do the job, no question.

The major advantage to the X-gear is that is has some kind of gel that will remain frozen for a very long time; enabling you to use it immediately after a game. I store it in the freezer and pull it out in the morning. Put a frozen water bottle in the container and then put the whole thing in a cooler. This arrangement will typically get through an entire day. When we need it we have it on hand just like the first aid kit. I don't have to find a concessions stand nor will most ice last through a typical summer Saturday.

I am sure that the shoulder wrap remains on longer and is used more often because it doesn't leak, is more convenient and looks like you planned it. The bag and stretch wrap looks like you've got an injury.

However, the important thing is to ice.

Just do it!

 

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You can go out and get a great workout without putting a time frame on it. Throwing 3 to 4 times a week with lessons will be plenty. It's the quality of the work out not the longevity.

Ok, I have heard a lot about icing, aparatus to use n such. Icing after hard workouts is important!!! However you do it, get the job done!! In college we used industrial saran wrap. Place the ice and wrap it around super tight. Yes it can leak, yes it can move around, but it did the job. You don't need it on very long either. The arm wraps can be nice too but don't use it because it looks professional. Use it because you feel like it works for you. Getting the job done is what is important.

 

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Dana, thanks for the gentle nudge in the rear The dd will be pitching in one last tournament this fall, this weekend, and I don't think we'll be able to get it in time. Then she was going to take some pitching time off, (but start work on strengthening her core). So you're correct, no time like the present.

 

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5 days a week is a lot of pitches. Overuse injuries are not limited to the shoulder and arm. The feet and the knees, in particular, take a beating over the years. DD never had a sore arm, but her knees cut her college pitching career a year and a half short. Good thing she could also play the outfield it kept her bat in the lineup.
Take this for what it was worth. Many DD`s, mine included,are/ were courages work horses. Pitching most every high school game and most of the work in the summer. They practiced more than any other position. Some survived it ok, while others suffered overuse injuries that effected play time down the road. More work is not always better work. Think smart about the workouts.