Comments on: Weighted Baseballs: To Throw or Not to Throw? http://danblewett.com/2010/02/weighted-baseballs-training/ Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:23:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: William http://danblewett.com/2010/02/weighted-baseballs-training/comment-page-1/#comment-112 William Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:52:41 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=848#comment-112 Good analysis. One thing to consider is that the throwing motion may change slightly as the ball weight increases. The javelin weighs 28 ounces, and consequently it is natural to throw it with a relatively straight arm. The kinetics of internal rotation, ideal for rapidly accelerating a 5-ounce ball, are not suited for something five times heavier. To prevent a change in arm mechanics, weighted baseballs should probably be only slightly (e.g. 1 ounce or less) heavier/lighter than the regulation baseball. Good analysis. One thing to consider is that the throwing motion may change slightly as the ball weight increases. The javelin weighs 28 ounces, and consequently it is natural to throw it with a relatively straight arm. The kinetics of internal rotation, ideal for rapidly accelerating a 5-ounce ball, are not suited for something five times heavier. To prevent a change in arm mechanics, weighted baseballs should probably be only slightly (e.g. 1 ounce or less) heavier/lighter than the regulation baseball.

]]> By: Jon Hart http://danblewett.com/2010/02/weighted-baseballs-training/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Jon Hart Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:49:00 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=848#comment-111 My labrum tore after a season of weighted balls, I did however throw harder. I am anti weighted balls simply because I rebuilt my arm without them and throw as hard now as I did, if not harder. While I can see the benefit, I feel there are easier more proven ways of strengthening the rotator cuff and muscles supporting my arm. My labrum tore after a season of weighted balls, I did however throw harder. I am anti weighted balls simply because I rebuilt my arm without them and throw as hard now as I did, if not harder. While I can see the benefit, I feel there are easier more proven ways of strengthening the rotator cuff and muscles supporting my arm.

]]> By: Ben http://danblewett.com/2010/02/weighted-baseballs-training/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Ben Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:03:30 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=848#comment-110 i think it's important, too, that weighted balls help train the CNS. You're forced to apply more intent to throws with a heavier ball. In fact, in my experience it is fairly common for a player to be able to hit similar velocities during training to a 5 oz ball with a 6 or even 7 oz ball. The problem, then, becomes how do you take all this intent that you have built up and applied to the heavier balls and transfer it to the standard weight? I think this is where underweight balls and a ton of decelerator training comes into play. i think it’s important, too, that weighted balls help train the CNS. You’re forced to apply more intent to throws with a heavier ball. In fact, in my experience it is fairly common for a player to be able to hit similar velocities during training to a 5 oz ball with a 6 or even 7 oz ball. The problem, then, becomes how do you take all this intent that you have built up and applied to the heavier balls and transfer it to the standard weight?

I think this is where underweight balls and a ton of decelerator training comes into play.

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