Need more velocity? Easy: Throw hard

The Baltimore Sun

DEAR CAL -- What are some ways to increase velocity on throws without hurting your arm?

Ryan Knopp, Baltimore

DEAR RYAN -- At Ripken Baseball, we like to say that "you learn to throw hard by throwing hard." That might sound a bit silly, but all it really means is that the best way to improve your velocity is by throwing fastball after fastball and combining that with a throwing program that incorporates long tossing between pitching appearances.

That approach, combined with running and strength programs designed to develop a strong lower body, core and rotator cuff muscles, is the most effective way to increase velocity while protecting the elbow and shoulder.

Kids who throw curveballs over and over in games at age 10 or 11 might experience a lot of success on the mound, even more than the kid who throws a really good fastball consistently. The kid who has a good fastball but takes his lumps at a younger age is investing in his future, building the arm strength necessary not only to throw harder, but also to develop the type of breaking ball needed to be successful into high school and beyond. At some point, the player who throws more fastballs at a younger age is going to surpass the breaking-ball pitcher and never look back.

DEAR CAL -- Why do some leagues endorse an innings-pitched limit as a mechanism to keep track of how often a pitcher can pitch, and not a pitch count? And why do some leagues use the innings-pitched maximum during a Sunday-to-Saturday time period, instead of a maximum number during any seven-day period? In the latter, a kid could pitch six innings Saturday, then another six Sunday.

Robert Huehl, Hagerstown

DEAR ROBERT -- As I've written here before, I'm a firm believer that the only people who can successfully regulate the amount of work that young pitchers get are parents and coaches. I understand that leagues feel a need to protect the kids by implementing pitch counts and innings-pitched limits. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all kids develop at the same rate physically. Your 9-year-old might be vastly superior to my 9-year-old in terms of his physical maturity, so why should there be a blanket rule regulating the right number of innings or pitches for every 9-year-old? In addition, it might take one pitcher six pitches to get through an inning, while another pitcher might need 30 or more to get through an inning. So limiting a pitcher to a certain number of innings not only might not be fair, but it also might limit a pitcher's ability to develop.

Everyone involved in coaching amateur baseball - even in high school - must keep the big picture in mind. The goal is to help them become better players. No player's health should be jeopardized for the sake of winning a game or a tournament.

Have a question or issue arising from your involvement in youth sports? Send it by e-mail to askripken@baltimoresun.com.

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