If you’re expecting a Star Wars reference here based on the headline, you’re not going to get it, but 40–50 years ago does seem like a galaxy far, away from where we are today.
Here’s another senior moment for me—that I swore I would never share—but back when I was a kid, we would make believe we were our favorite player on our favorite team. If it was baseball (Dodgers), I was Ron Cey or Pedro Guerrero hitting and Bob Welch pitching. When we played football, I was Roger Staubach (Cowboys) and Magic Johnson (Lakers) while playing basketball. Those were my guys, and I did everything I could to emulate them.
It’s amazing how many players I work with today that when I ask who their favorite team or player is, the reply 50% of the time is, “I don’t have one.” But when I ask about their favorite video game, they can rattle off 2–4 titles.
It’s also a different time when it comes to training and development. Even 15 years ago, kids would play one sport for each season—football, soccer, basketball, and then baseball.
But the specialization of baseball taking over the entire year is a bit much.
You develop your body multiple ways, and generally, just overall athleticism, by moving your body around in different sports. I wholeheartedly believe that the reason more injuries occur in baseball is because of the overuse of the same muscles over and over without the overall development that comes from playing multiple sports.
One of the main reasons for playing baseball year-round is the weather we experience here in sunny Southern California. We’re almost halfway through October, and we just had our third day in a row of 95+ degree weather.
However, the weather will start to cool off over the next month or so, and proper stretching and arm care will become even more crucial in baseball throwing training and development. Here are a few reasons why:
- Injury prevention: Colder weather can make muscles and joints stiffer, increasing the risk of injuries. Regular stretching can help maintain flexibility and reduce the chance of strains or tears. And, obviously, Throwzone can help with that.
- Arm health: Pitchers put a lot of strain on their arms, and cold weather can exacerbate this. Stretching routines specific to baseball can help maintain arm health and prevent overuse injuries.
- Recovery: Stretching can aid post-pitching recovery, reducing muscle soreness and promoting better circulation.
These are all different ways to assist in your training and development. For those playing multiple sports, your training happens during each sport’s season by your body moving and strengthening in different planes of motion.
But If you’re playing baseball only, then a facility like Throwzone Academy can assist you in providing proper mechanics and arm strengthening, as well as total body workouts, mound time, and post-arm recovery.
Back in the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, players had to work during the offseason because they didn’t make very much money playing baseball. They sold insurance, cars, and even vacuums to make ends meet. In today’s world, even high school players are getting lots and lots of money (e.g., Bronny James came close to a million dollars a year because of his followers on social media). The rewards are tremendous, so plenty of parents see what can come with these paydays: name, likeness, and image “treasures” in high school and college. Even Heisman Trophy award winner Caleb Williams, out of USC, makes over $2.5 million per year. He’ll take a pay cut when he gets drafted into the NFL and plays under a rookie contract.
The pressure to perform well is tremendous, but it takes a lot of training and development to get to where you want to be. A LOT. Throwzone Academy has had 10 different players make it to MLB, many more drafted, and more that have gone on to college and play. We know what’s needed to perform at the next level.
Allow us to take your son to the next level in training. Our training protocols are the best around, and we know what your player needs to succeed at the next level, especially if your son plays baseball year-round. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Until next time…
Jim
Jim Wagner's ThrowZone Academy 