Question for pitchers

[TigersFanB406]

Since you guys are experienced I just wanted to ask a question.

I am 32, never pitched in my life, but wish to. You know, men's rec leagues or whatever. Am I too old to learn and if not, how do I go about it? I have nobody to practice with. Should I start from a mound, regular distance? I just want to have fun and hope to be half way good. Can I do it? Or is it a waste of time and I should stick with left field?

[bob_r]

I started pitching after 40 to help my little league age son out. I needed to increase speed and accuracy. I would say learn basic mechanics and build up slowly. Make sure you stretch thouroughly and properly. In addition you will need to build up arm strength with long toss. Good luck.

[JLeicester]

Since you guys are experienced I just wanted to ask a question.

I am 32, never pitched in my life, but wish to. You know, men's rec leagues or whatever. Am I too old to learn and if not, how do I go about it? I have nobody to practice with. Should I start from a mound, regular distance? I just want to have fun and hope to be half way good. Can I do it? Or is it a waste of time and I should stick with left field?

I wouldn't say you're never too old to start pitching.

Learn as much as you can about the mechanics of pitching, and GO SLOW. start by just playing catch a couple times a week, with a wall if you have to. There are some important muscles in your shoulders that will get fatigued very easily. give them time to rest. when you start feeling better and better after each time you catch. then you can start to stretch it out. I would hold off getting on a mound too soon. It can put a alot of stress on the arm. pitch on flat ground to get a feel for pitching to a catcher.
When your arm starts to 'bounce back' better and better, jump on the 'hill'. Don't worry to much about your velocity, that'll come as you get used to the mound.
Have fun and take care of your arm by running before and after as well as doing a 'rotator cuff' program with no weight to start and work up to 3lb(max) dumbbells. (i'll try and find you a good one)

[TigersFanB406]

Thanks for your answers guys. Thank you JL. Any help you can find for me is much appreciated.

I totally realize the importance of going slow. I was just throwing a tennis ball at the wall one day and my arm was stiff and sore for a few days. But then I heard that I shouldn't have used a tennis ball. lol Maybe I can take one baseball and sacrifice it to the wall.

[drtybUsch025]

If it isn't glass....by all means!

Watching baseball a lot I think helps for me. Though may not for you. I Wish I could help!

[Jesse]

Thanks for your answers guys. Thank you JL. Any help you can find for me is much appreciated.

I totally realize the importance of going slow. I was just throwing a tennis ball at the wall one day and my arm was stiff and sore for a few days. But then I heard that I shouldn't have used a tennis ball. lol Maybe I can take one baseball and sacrifice it to the wall.
Get yourself a few tee balls. They're roughly the same size and weight as a baseball, but they bounce. Great for throwing against walls. They're quieter than hardballs too so your neighbors might appreciate it depending on where you live. They make a dull thud against a wall, as opposed to a loud crack.

[TigersFanB406]

Yeah, watching baseball could be helpful. I learn by observing so that would be good. Don't worry...no glass. lol

I'll have to find some t-ball balls. I'd hate to use a baseball against a brick wall.

[Maxx]

TigersFan, here is a link to the JOBES exercises for the rotator cuff:

http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_workouts/5lb_weight_program.swf

Also:


Exercises for the Rotator Cuff (Jobes)


The rotator cuff consists of four small muscles that run from the shoulder blade (scapula) to the top of the upper arm (humerus). As a group, they stabilize the upper arm in the shoulder socket and allow it its range of motion. All throwing athletes, not just pitchers, need a strong, healthy rotator cuff. If for some reason, one or more of the rotator cuff muscles can't help stabilize the shoulder, most major motions of the shoulder become impossible. An unstable shoulder can lead to impingement, tendinitis, bursitis, tears, joint wear and pain. If you have an unstable shoulder, you can forget throwing, swinging, lifting weights or even reaching overhead.

To maintain a healthy shoulder, do Jobe-type exercises (named for the Dodgers' team physician, Frank Jobe, MD) for the muscles of the rotator cuff muscles 3-4 times per week year-around. Do the exercises listed below with dumbbells. Little Leaguers should use 1-3 pound weights, high school and college athletes use 3-5 pound weights. Start with one set of 10 and gradually build to one set of 20.

1. Forward Raise. Stand with arms at the sides and palms facing back. Keeping your arms straight, slowly raise your hands (dumbbells) to shoulder height with palms down. Pause and return.

2. Lateral Raise. Stand with your arms at the sides and palms toward the body. Keeping your arms straight and palms down, slowly raise your hands (dumbbells) to shoulder height. Pause and return.

3. Reverse Fly. Flex your knees slightly and bend forward at the waist until your chest is parallel to the floor. Let your arms hang down straight down with your palms forward and thumbs pointing away from your body. Slowly raise both hands (dumbbells) out to the side until they are even with your shoulders. Pause and return.

4. Internal Rotation. Lie on your back with arms down by your sides. Flex (bend) your right elbow to 90 degrees and hold your elbow against your right side. Keeping your elbow against your side, slowly lower (external rotation) your hand (dumbbell) away from your side as far as you can. Pause and bring it back across the chest.

5. External Rotation. Lie on one side with your knees bent. Bend the elbow of the top arm to 90 degrees and let your forearm and hand rest across your stomach. Keeping your elbow against your side, slowly raise (external rotation) the top hand (dumbbell) until it is straight up in the air. Pause and return.

6. Supraspinatus Fly (Empty Can). Stand with both arms down by your sides and hands rotated inward as far as possible with thumbs pointing down. Keep your arms straight, slowly raise your hands (dumbbells) forward and out to the sides, as if pouring water out of a can. Do not lift higher than 600.

7. Upward Rotation. Flex your knees slightly and bend forward at the waist until your chest is parallel to the floor. Pull your elbows back until your upper arms are even with your back. Bend your elbows and let your hands hang straight toward the ground with palms facing each other and thumbs up. Slowly raise both hands (dumbbells) straight up (upward rotation) until they are even with your shoulders. Pause and return.

[TigersFanB406]

Hey thank you very much. Very useful. I'd hate to blow out my shoulder.

So right now I should just do those exercises and practice control instead of trying to throw as hard as possible?

[Maxx]

Yeah, build up some arm strength before you try to throw hard!