Small problems can do one of 3 things: Go Away, Stay the Same, or Get Worse

If taken care of early, those small/nagging injuries can be abolished. The key is getting good advice and following through. Unlike many other sports, it is difficult to perform well in baseball and softball, especially throwing a ball, with a nagging injury. Don’t “bulldoze” your way through it. Get it taken care of early.

Some simple steps you can take to rid yourself of a nagging

injury include:

• Run or ride a stationary bike at an easy pace for 10 minutes after practices and games. This encourages blood and lymph to flow and allows your body to “flush” swelling away and bring in oxygen and nutrients.

• Stretch and ice after games and practices

• Work closely with your coaches to make sure your mechanics are correct. Many injuries start with poor body control.

• Warm up properly. Many baseball players don’t have a set warm-up routine. A proper warm-up should include 5-10 minutes of running or biking, throwing drills which progress to long-toss. If you don’t have a program, give us a call, we can show you a simple program that can be completed in less than 5 minutes.

• Be sure your strengthening routine is complete. Many athletes strengthen just the muscles they can see in the mirror. Don’t forget the back of the shoulders and arms!

• Count your pitches. Many pitchers feel that 100 pitches is their “magic number”. It can be, but remember that most professional pitchers (21-40 year olds who are physically mature and have tight mechanics) use that number. Early season bullpen sessions should be limited to 40-60 pitches (after a good warm-up). This number should be gradually increased over the following weeks. Most high-school aged pitchers should top out at 80-90 pitches in a game. Remember, bull-pen sessions should emphasize technique, location of pitches, practicing grips and the mental game (when to throw what pitches to which hitters).

If you need help, we are here for you. We have simple routines you can add pre-season, in-season and off-season to improve your muscular balance, flexibility, fitness and mechanics. Especially if you have had problems in the past…don’t go it alone!