Bringing Back the Long Toss Pitch

A lot in the game of baseball rides on the pitcher. He often gets the blame on whether a team wins or loses depending on how many hits and subsequent scores he allows. Some coaches throw their pitchers too much, taking the chance of injuring them. Other coaches do not work their players enough, leading to underdevelopment. Utilizing pitchers properly, as well as the throws that they do, may make the difference between winning and losing a game.

Both of these patterns can hold pitchers back from being the best that they can be. In general, coaches tend to overthrow their best pitchers when they are trying to win, and then under throw everyone else. By putting together and sticking with a schedule that includes all the pitchers, both types can benefit and improve as a team. Do note, however, that throwing does not have to mean pitching in the game. It can also include bullpen work, scrimmage games, and long-toss workouts.

The long toss is a practice pitch that has come under much scrutiny lately. There are players that are for the long toss and just as many that are against it. The debate rages strong between whether or not the long toss pitch is helping or hurting the game of baseball.

First, it is helpful to know what a long toss is. For a standard workout, the pitchers start about 50 feet apart and back up to a distance just beyond what they can throw in the air. After 10 tosses at this distance, they work their way back. It should take about 50 tosses going in and back to completely stretch, though more are needed to develop arm strength during the off season. Approximately one third of the tosses should be at the maximum distance.

Some people recommend that pitchers do long toss workouts every other day at a minimum, though they may want to do fewer tosses during the season. This practice will help increase velocity, shorten recovery time, stretch the arm, and improve blood circulation.

Opponents of the long toss pitch believe it to be one of the largest contributors to injuries and loss of pitching skills. Tosses of 180 feet or more have been shown to contribute to elbow injuries. They also do not feel that this type of pitch makes much of a difference to arm strength when used in practice. The throw itself is also different in weight shifting and foot movement from your typical pitch, giving it little value as practice. The opponents feel that prior to the 1980s, when the long toss became widely used, the pitchers had few problems throwing at an above average velocity with fewer injuries. Today’s players seem to be more injury prone and still do not have the same power.

Other people believe that pitching is not an arm strength activity, so weight lifting and long tosses have little effect. Arm speed has the greatest affect on the pitch, and a good portion of this speed comes from using your larger leg and torso muscles to whip your body around. They quote baseball greats like Satchel Paige and Babe Ruth never did any long toss pitches or weight training, and yet are still some of the greatest men in baseball today.

Basically, the long and short of it is that only you and your coach or trainer can judge how effective the long toss will be for you as a player. You will have to weigh the risk of injury to your arm and shoulder against any possible positive effects the long toss may have on your pitching style. In doing so, you can make an informed decision on what is best for you.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Related posts:

1. The Curveball – When & How To Pitch In baseball, there are four rudimentary pitches: the four-seam fastball, the two-seam fastball, the change-up, and the curveball. Both the change-up and curve ball are...
2. The Curveball – When & How to Pitch In baseball, there are four rudimentary pitches: the four-seam fastball, the two-seam fastball, the change-up, and the curveball.  Both the change-up and curve ball are...