Catchers

Baseball31 · April 21st, 2007, 10:40 PM

Hi, im new to this...im about 14 years old...and im really interested in learning how i can get my arm stronger...im a catcher and i need my arm to get alot stronger if i wanna do this for a living some day.. if anyone could help me on how to strengthin my arm i would love some advice.

catcher8 · April 22nd, 2007, 08:50 AM

The best way to do that is to throw a lot. By a lot I mean four to five times a week, and do longtoss. If you don't know what that is exactly, let me know and I'll elaborate.

Weight training can certainly help. Since catchers use a quick throwing motion that utilizes mostly their wrists, you should focus primarily on strengthening your forearms. Wrist curls are great for that.

I cannot stress this enough: be extremely careful with any weight training you do. Baseball requires a good deal of flexibility in your joints, especially when you throw. Over working or not stretching properly can cause permanent injury. I know this from experience, unfortunately.

Baseball31 · April 22nd, 2007, 09:46 AM

yea i know what longtossing is....by stretchinig wat stretches do u mean specically?? Im going to SHP next year so i gotta get ready for it and if theres anything else that would help me out please tell me.

**luggaguy** · April 22nd, 2007, 12:47 PM

I played catcher for a good 10+ yrs and its 50/50 legs and arm. You want to cut down the time it takes from when to catch the ball to when you release it. Work on legs, focusing on explosive power. You'll then be able to explode out of your catching stance, therefore cutting down on the time it take the ball to get to the bag. For the arm I would work on getting the rotator cuff in good shape. Like catcher8 said, working on forearms by doing forearm curls will also be a great help. With this said dont forget the basics.....nothing will help more than throwing the ball!

catcher8 · April 22nd, 2007, 07:04 PM

Yes, I forgot to mention legs. They are just as important for catchers as they are pitchers. In regard to stretches: I use just a few that are quite effective for the shoulder.

1. Pull your arm across you body with your other arm and hold it stretched out in this position for ten seconds or so.

2. Raise your arm and bend it so that your hand is resting just below your neck on your upper back. (Your elbow should be pointing upward and outward). With your other hand reach over your head and grasp your elbow, and pull it down and in towards your head. Hold for ten seconds.

3. Clasp your hands together behind your back and raise them upwards as far as you can. This one is better if you have a partner that can push your arms farther upwards than you can on your own. Again, hold for ten seconds.

Make certain to ease into these, meaning don't just grab your arm and jerk it over your head as far as it will go. That can result in injury, the very thing stretches are meant to prevent. Gently and slowly push or pull your arm as far as it will go into and out of each position, making certain not to go beyond your comfort level. Do both arms with the first two stretches also, especially when lifting. And stretch both before and after lifting, to maintain flexibility.

Baseball31 · April 25th, 2007, 07:32 PM

thank you for all of the advice....i was just wondering what descion i should make in this situation...ok so im a full time catcher on my aau team. and im also a pitcher for my school team. my school team sucks so they need my arm to throw to win a couple games, but after the first game i pitched my arm felt a little weird....i was just wondering what u would do in this situation??

catcher8 · April 25th, 2007, 11:15 PM

That's bad!!! You need to decide right now which you want to be, pitcher or catcher. The two positions use completely different arm motions. That, coupled with the extreme amount of throwing you will be doing playing both of those positions, will lead to arm injury. Trust me, I know from personal experience. I did the same when I was your age, and I'm 21 years old and can no longer play. Decide what you want to do with your career. Don't let your coaches decide. It's unfortunate, but most youth league and even high school coaches are not as responsible as they should be. They will use you!

If you are aiming to play college or professional ball one day, both of those positions are looked at by scouts more than any other. You can't really go wrong with either one. If you're going to be a catcher you'll need to swing a decent bat, too.