I pitch for my high school team as a reliever and am looking to be a starting pitcher. It's my second year, and I've been used soley as a relief pitcher. The max I've gone in an appearance was four innings, giving up 3 hits and no runs. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on increasing my pitching stamina? I topped out my last bullpen session at 85mph, and I want to get to where I can throw that over the course of 4-6 innings consistently. I throw 5 pitches: a four-seamer, a two-seamer, curveball, splitter and circle-change. Is a certain number of each pitch in a given number of innings effective to arm stamina? In addition, any advice for increasing pitch speed in the offseason, such as workout and throwing plans?
Thanks!
Remember that if your mechanics are good, your arm just comes along for the ride when you throw. This means that increasing stamina has to start with your leg strength for torque and stability, and core body strength for rotational force. A weight training program for legs and core body will increase stamina. This along with improving your mechanics will give the added bonus of increasing velocity. Lighter weight training for the arm (especially the shoulder) will help prevent injury. And don't forget to stretch stretch stretch!
There are recent studies that state that static stretching can weaken muscles and tendons which could cause injury. To build endurance for throwing one needs to throw. Long Toss can help you get there. Look up the Jaeger Long Toss on You Tube and you will see a great routine.
I should have clarified that I was referring more to the legs and torso for stretching, however I've always had success with very basic stretches for the arm and shoulder that are recommended by trainers and orthopedics (pulling the thorwing arm across the chest and behind the head). But I've always believed the best way to loosen your arm is to throw. Every winter, before I'm back in shape from the 5 month lay off, I throw hundreds of BP pitches (many from 60 feet and in excess of 70 mph) at least 2 times a week. I rarely experience much arm soreness but until I build up my stamina and strength and regain my flexibility, it's common for me to have very sore leg and torso muscles the next day.
Make sure your arm is warm before you stretch. We jog a couple of foul pools and then do arm circles. We then use the J-bands for further warm up and very light stretching.
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