Pitching Workout Routines Of Strength And Power Not Related To Performance Improvement

by Dick Mills on December 02, 2009

This study is proof that spending a lot of time strength training, speed training or over-training does not improve pitching performance.  Explosive exercises and a sensible training routine can certainly help prevent injury and help the pitcher do more work but does not necessarily improve performance or velocity.  What improves both performance and velocity is focusing on improving the movement skills of a pitcher's mechanics. This should be done by pitching from a mound while videotaping and improving mechanical faults.

BASEBALL PERFORMANCE IS NOT DETERMINED BY PHYSICAL/PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS

Basile, R., Otto, R. M., & Sygand, J. W. (2007). The relationship between physical and physiological performance measures and baseball performance measures. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number, 1448.

"Improvement in a baseball player’s strength, power, speed, and specific baseball skills are believed to improve overall baseball performance. However, studies to determine a relationship between a player’s physical attributes and baseball success throughout a competitive season are lacking".

The purpose of this study was to determine if physical and physiological measures could predict baseball performance, that is, if such measures were related to baseball success. Position players on a Division I baseball team (N = 14) volunteered to participate. Baseball performance measures were gathered at the conclusion of a 59-game season using measures of on-base percentage, runs batted-in, and runs scored. Physical/physiological measures were obtained during the last two weeks of the season and included lean body mass, body-fat percent, squat press, vertical jump, 30/60-yard sprint, bat velocity, and batted ball velocity.

There were no significant correlations between any physical/ physiological variables and indices of baseball performance. Some moderate correlations were found between some of the physical/physiological variables.

Implication:  Baseball performance is influenced by factors (e.g., skill level, hand-eye coordination, psychological outlook, etc), and not by physical/physiological variables.

These are some of the important aspects I have been focusing on in our Explosively Pitching DVD program since 2004.  We teach parents how to help their sons use their bodies to pitch instead of just their arms. Not only does this improve velocity but reduces the risk of arm injuries. http://www.pitching.com/products/

"I had spent several hundred dollars on a pitching coach who was leading my son down the path to ruin. He embraced every failed philosophy and technique you've identified - long toss, towel drills and more drills ad nauseum. My son's skills were deteriorating. When I found your website and read your report, I sense intuitively your words had merit and deserved further study."    Mark Smith, Downers Grove, IL