Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Weighted Softballs

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I'm looking at starting a routine using weighted softballs. What weight should I start with and where can I get weighted softballs.

I'm 16 and have been pitching for several years.

 

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You can get weighted softball at softballsales.com. Look at Hal Skinners site (I think) for his workout.

 

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You can make a weighted ball, by putting nails into an old ball. using a scale to get 14 to 16 oz

If you are in Cincinnati, Tommy Martin @ Sports Zone can get you the balls. 513 752 6666
or www.sortszoneusa.com

You do know NOT to do full windmills with a weighted ball?

 

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Doesn't 14 -16 oz seem like way too much? I thought training with weighted softballs meant up to 11 or 12 oz mixed in with underweight balls. A girl definately wouldn't want to throw full windmill with 16 oz. or even 14 oz.

 

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Weighted Balls should only be used for wrist snaps!

 

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www.softball.com (1-800-882-1166) has weighted softballs at a fair price. Use media code 607298 when ordering. This is a set with different weights and will come with recommended uses (instructions and exercises). If used properly and as per instructions weighted balls can be very useful for gaining strength and speed.

 

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This is one thing I cannot support. Weighted softballs are not good for a pitcher. There are too many opportunites to cause injury to a wrist, arm, or in worst case shoulder. Even for the experienced pitcher.

If the mechanics of the pitchers windmill are off or the timing of the release point or the wrist snap you can cause injury. Even if its not a full windmill motion. End of story. There are a lot of other things you can do to improve arm and shoulder strength. Long distance pitching being one of those. LOTS of it.

Save your money and your medical bills and stay away from weighted balls. For your own safety.

Elliott.

 

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I totally agree Elliott. I know of too many girls trying to use weighted ball as short cut to get more speed. There are other pitching drills, core training, plyometrics and rubberbands that can safely help you obtain speed. The finch windmill will safely help you also. Call Doug Finch and ask him how meny windmills he has sold to girls that have used weighted ball. Parents please do not let your DD use weighted balls doing a full windmill. The GForces you put on you sholder and elbow far exceeds the tollerence your joints can take!

 

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Weighted balls should only be used for WRIST SNAPS!!!

 

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Baby,

They shouldnt even be used for that. Of course this is just my opinion and you can do what you want.

Here would be my preference for building wrist and arm strength.

If we are talking about a young pitcher then start with a good old fashioned rubber ball. Start squeezing while watching TV.

Next go get a set of hand grips that have the handles on them. Have DD clamp down on them and place a penny between the two handles. Tell her not to let the penny drop.

Challenge her to see how long she can hold the penny between the grips.

After that start with light weights and place the forearm across your leg to the inside (Groin area) to isolate the wrist. Start doing reps both with the hand facing up and then down.

Remember this is done over a period of time in this sequence as the strength improves.

All of these will build the wrist and the fore arms.

I also like to suggest using rubber tubing with younger pitchers to build arm and wrist strength. Younger players dont need to be lifting weight to get stronger.

You can also use a frisbee to to simulate the wrist snap action. Instead of throwing it the traditional way across the body grab the front of the frisbee with your forefinger under the lip and your thumb on top then throw it side arm like a submarine pitcher in baseball. At the end of the arm motion snap the wrist hard. Its the same motion that is used to wrist snap a softball.

As you might be able to tell I have talked about this before on other boards. Weighted softballs are not good for a pitcher. It will cause injury.

Elliott.

 

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If we are talking about the downside of weighted balls what about the person who recomended putting nails in an old ball. I am not even going to mention all the problems with this other than to say to any novice just getting involved with softball dont do it. im sure just about everybody else already knows. geez ???

 

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You can get weighted balls at Brookbank Fastpitch in Akron.

 

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Make sure your mechanics are sound before you begin a weighted ball routine. ?Also a good idea to work with your pitching instructor when doing these workouts.

We use 8 oz ball for overweight training, 4 weeks, then switch to underweight ball 5 or 6 oz for 4 weeks. ?The overweight and underweight balls are used in a progressional workout designed by professionals and once again not used unless mechanics are sound.

Anything over an 8 or 9 oz ball should never be used in a windmill. ?We do use 1 lb cannon balls for wrist snap drills.

We will only use weighted workout during the off season and only one time a year.

These workouts are very controversial. ?Personally, we have had no problems with it, but mechanics are stressed so much and if we see mechanics deteriorating even the slightest, the workout is stopped.

 

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I DON'T RECOMMEND WEIGHTED SOFTBALLS AT ALL. YOU DON'T PITCH WITH THEM SO WHY PRACTICE WITH THEM. YOU ARE BUILDING MUSCLE MEMORY WITH EVERY PITCHING EXERCISE THAT YOU DO, SO YOU WANT TO USE THE SAME BALL EVERTIME OR YOU WILL GET THE TENDENCY TO HEAVE THE BALL INSTEAD OF SNAPPING IT.