Baseball Pitching Strength Training Advice From Former Minor Leaguer

I got an email recently asking about advice being given out by a former minor league pitcher about the value of weight training.

The advice was typical and to me it is apparent that this former minor league pitcher knows just enough to be very dangerous. When you start talking about how pitchers should train, you had better know what you are talking about…just like pitching mechanics.

He had mentioned three major league pitchers whose velocity he atttributed to weight training. I believe he mentioned Schilling, Clemens and Pettite.

None of the pitchers mentioned have gained velocity by weight training. Clemens for example, was throwing harder when he first got to Boston when he struck out 20 in that game. He was I believe 195 lbs at the time. Now he is 240.

I have no idea what Clemens training routine is but I think I can speak with authority on this. Following Clemens specific routine will not help you gain velocity unless you are in poor overall condition or seriously undertrained…anymore than any other program will help you.

Pitching is skill and these are skilled pitchers who throw hard because they have figured out how to get the most out of their bodies.

Most pitchers will throw harder early on because they are more explosive. Strength training later will not help them move faster and throw harder or maintain their velocity.

Who says these pitchers are throwing harder? If they are throwing harder it is not because of weight training but because their mechanics are improved or are more efficient. If they are throwing harder it would have to be because they are doing something in their training that forces their bodies to be more explosive. You cannot get that from weight training.

Conditioning is important and I am sure that these big league pitchers feel good because they know they stay in condition. However, there is no proof that any weight training routine has improved their performance…whether they believe it or not.

Baseball websites that make these types of statements about weight training increasing performance or the use of weighted balls should be a “red flag” that they have not studied what has proven to work. These are all “belief based” instructors who think they know but have not educated themselves enough to supply real evidence.

If you have questions on any phase of pitching—mechanics, strength and conditioning, mental training, strategy send those questions to dickmills@gmail.com and I will answer them here.

If you want an explosive body and explosive mechanics you need to get my Free Report at www.pitching.nexcess.net. We won’t waste your time. We show you what works and what has been proven to work. I show you a comparison between two high school pitchers and a major league pitcher who throws mid to upper nineties. Find out why you do not have powerful mechanics.