Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Weighted balls for pitchers training

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What is a good weight to start out with? Thanks.

 

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What age? We bought a set of weighted balls, which gives you some flexibility based upon the pitch being thrown, how tired the pitcher is, etc. etc.

 

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dd is 13

 

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Do not use them for anything but wrist strengthening if your daughter has not fully developed her muscular skeletal system.
Problems and bad habits can and will occur if not absolutely supervised correctly! When my DD was 13 she went to a very well known and respected pitching coach in the Akron area for increasing speed. In the class (about 15 girls) weighted balls from a distance was used as a technique. By the end of the 8 or 10 week class she actually was noticeably slower and developed upper back muscle problems. She ended up with a bad habit of bending over when she released because that is what she had to do to throw the weighted balls. Please do your homework and make sure this is right for your DD.

 

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Our pitching coach believes in weighted ball training and I have done a lot of research on it myself and feel that it is okay as long as the pitcher has good mechanics. Our dd has gained 5 mph in 6 months using overweight/underweight training.

Our dd is 12 and she uses the 12 oz ball for wrist snaps drills only and the 8 oz ball for overweight pitching and the 5 oz ball for underweight pitching. ?For overweight pitching (full arm circle) you never want to be more than 2oz from the regulation 6.5 oz ball or serious injury could result. ?Also watch your repetitions with the full arm circle. ?Our coach recommends between 20 and 40 pitches with the 8 oz ball.

Our coach uses a 1lb cannon ball for wrist snap drills in class, but we use the 12oz red ball at home. ?I suppose either are fine but the 12 oz is usually easier to find than the cannonball and a lot less expensive.

Be aware you will be opening a big can of worms with this question because people feel strongly one way or the other. ?I would never recommend using a weighted ball for any reason unless your dd's pitching coach feels she is ready for it. ?Even then I would recommend researching the risks yourself before you begin any weighted ball training.

 

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I started using a weighted ball when I was in high school for wrist snaps and the "3 oclock" drills only. In college my new pitching coach had me throw full distance/speed with a ball 1 oz heavier than regulation. I noticed some significant pain in my shoulder after using the heavier ball. Whatever you decide to do, and it is your decision, make sure that your DD will tell you if she starts to experience any pain or discomfort, it could lead to bad things.

 

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My recommendation would be to get your girls some strength training, rather than risk trying to throw something heavy without preparation. This subject hits a nerve with me watching coaches and parents have their girls play physical sports without teaching them the importance of strength training. A stronger overall body will help throws be faster/harder, and prevent other types of injuries.

 

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Boys can sometimes get away with this because they "muscle up" naturally as they age. Girls do not...research the number of blown out knees and deteriorated shoulders from girls who only play the game and don't prepare their muscles for the intensity

 

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I ask Bill hillhouse or Doug Gillis there are two of the best pitching coaches.

http://www.houseofpitching.com/

http://www.douggillis.com/dg.asp

 

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Iceyhott has a good point on the strength training. My DD does strength training in conjunction with the weighted ball. It is important for a pitcher to have equal arms (left & right) and equal legs (hamstrings and quads). If not you are inviting injury. The weighted ball workouts are in addition to regular strength training.

 

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Thanks everyone for your replies! I appreciate the feedback. I think she'll stick to her strength training 3 times a week for now until we can do more research.