Track...??

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ok well i jus wanted your guys opinion on weather i should do track. I want to do it too improve my speed for softball and build up muscle in my legs for pitching. i think its a good idea. Plus im left handed so the more speed i have the better right? i dont want it to interfer with softball though...cause thats the main purpose im considering taking track. So any imput much appreciated!!!

thanks

 

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If you are in Jr. High and a softball team is not offered, then I would highly recommend running track. If you are a sprinter, then the explosiveness needed to sprint will help all aspects of your softball game. If your a distance runner, the muscles being used will not help your softball game much. But then again, your staying active and if your lifting also, this is better than nothing. It will also be a nice break from softball that will re-energize you for summer ball.

Now if your a HS athlete, than I would question why you are not playing for your HS team. You may have your reasons, and they have been addressed on this forum numerous times. If you should decide to run track in HS, I'm confident the time off will not hurt you, and could very well be more beneficial. JMHO

 

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yah im in jr- high next year will be high school ball for sure..right now i play for a travel team. but i thought it might be a good idea to take track....thanks for the imput

 

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I'm a HS softball coach that has a daughter in the 8th grade as well, that plays travel ball. Mentioned to her that I was trying to put together a Jr. High softball team. She said she wasn't really interested, and that she wanted to run hurdles again this year, because next year she would be playing HS softball.
So I understand what your going through, and track will compliment softball very well, and should have you in shape for travel ball. Good Luck if you run track, and have a great summer travel season.
Coach Yeater

 

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Run cross contry in the fall.

 

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My daughter does both track and softball in HS. It's rare, but it can be done (requires cooperation from both coaches and one sport being designated as the #1 sport to determine who "wins" when there are time conflicts). Since one of the assets she brings to her softball team, both in the field and at bat is top speed, doing track (sprints, hurdles, long jump, etc.) definitely enhances her speed on the diamond.

I will add that when she was recently invited for an unofficial visit to a D1 college, the athletic trainer for that team mentioned to her that cross country is NOT beneficial for softball athletes. She went into great detail about "fast twitch" muscles, how in softball you never reach maximum speed since most plays are made within a matter of 1-3 seconds, etc....and I cannot remember all of it, but she definitely strongly discouraged my daughter from ever choosing long distance running in an effort to stay in shape in the fall -- just food for thought.

Most athletes won't be able to do both sports for their high schools....the coaches won't allow it and it doesn't really make sense unless the athlete is talented enough in both sports to compete at a high level (my daughter has been to State every year in HS which is a big reason her coaches are willing to make the exception).

 

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wow thanks guys good advice

 

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Softball4life, It sounds to me like you will be using track or cross country to inhance your speed and endurance for softball.
If this is the case and your not entering either one for just the competion , then I dont believe that either one would be a bad idea being that your real interest is in the training end of it. As far as cross country goes , if you have a good coach and you are running 2 to 3 miles a day durring training , how can this not be building strength , stamina , endurance , and muscle??? My DD ran cross country this past fall and it was all about personal achievment. By the end of the cross country season she and her teamates had out done themselves in many different ways. Some had improved on their time , some the distance they were able to run , their breathing , the way they use their bodies to run , etc.etc.etc. I feel confident in saying that these achievments will carry onto the softball field. In reference to the Athletic Trainers advise on never reaching max speed because most plays happen within 1-3 secs. I dont look forward to telling my player that just hit a double , tripple , or in the park home run that she never really reached her maximum speed rounding the bases. Point to the thread , if you can do both , do it. If you have to pick one , pick the one that best fits the type of training your body needs to better yourself on the field. Either way , enjoy what your doing and with all heart commit yourself to getting to a new level.

 

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All competition and activity is good, especially for younger athletes. However, short distance track events will only help your speed, although thats important, its not the whole package. Think about what softball consists of...running short distances, throwing (mostly) short distances, and swinging the bat QUICKLY. All of the required elements of softball are short bursts of energy. Running track would be good for speed and conditioning, but you need to lift weights as well. There are many myths out there about weight lifting and female athletes. Done correctly it will benefit every aspect of the game more than just track, and prevent many injuries. I have trained a 15 year old softball player for the last 5 months and she is much stronger, balanced strength on left and right side and is much faster and throws harder. Please note**Even though she has increased by as much as 50lbs on some lifts, her body is not over muscled and unable to perform. (One of the myths)

 

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Sprint events in track and field are a great idea to increase the explosiveness required in softball. Add some weight training and plyometrics to further your training. Don't forget a good stretching routine. Of course all should be done under some experienced guidance to avoid injury. Make it fun and get enough rest in between bouts of high intensity training.

 

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in jr. high my dd played on the track team throwing shot put and dicus and that made her strong in throwing and batting and is an explosive event that uses your arms and legs. you may want to look at shot put and dicus.

 

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Jjen....leads me to another question....weight lifting sounds like a good idea..i am in the 8th grade but kinda smaller in weight and height. my parents are concerned that lifting weights to early will have long term effects.....give me your guys imput!
thanks

 

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DD threw shot and discus in middle school also. But she had to give up throwing shot because she would throw it like a softball and started hurting her arm/shoulder. At least she didn't start throwing the softball like the shot!!!!! ;D

 

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You have gotten alot of good information here. The only "long term effects" of lifting will be good effects. If done correctly and with some supervision you can increase your speed, strength, balance, and self-discipline with lifting and plyometrics. Go to google and look up what the experts say about female athletes & weight lifting. You and your parents can decide for yourselves, you are at a good age to start in my opinion, based on my research and experience. There are many misconceptions about weightlifting for female athletes, but if you think about it, just playing the game without any additional preparation runs a bigger risk for long term negative effects (serious knee injury) than training with weights.
The fact that you are asking the questions is a good start, the top female athletes of the future will be serious weightlifters in the off season. Good luck!