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jonesy22 · 05-10-2008, 03:36 AM

Hi everyone-
I'm 16 and an avid pitcher. I am looking for anything that's going to make me better on the field. I work out 3-4 times a week- but I also work 6 days a week so it's really hard to get a long good workout. I work across from a sporting good's store- but it is sort of expensive.

Does anyone know where (even internet) to get some cheap things? Like maybe, Therabands? or Pitching weights? Bat weights? I could use all the help I could get!!

Thanks Tons-
Court

ang4yanks · 05-11-2008, 09:47 PM

Court:

Great to see your enthusiasm and desire...foundational for success!

You can use a hockey puck as a spinner; someone posted the use of surgical tubing which is cheap (medical supply store) for resistance; and Ernie talks about driving a certain type of nail deep into the ball for weight...he can be more specific. I think he recommends beginning with eighteen nails? and adding additional nails in increments. My daughter uses masking tape on the floor to work on her stride. When focusing on her timing she uses socks which she pitches at the couch :-) There is an endless amount of drills that can be used for training on this site and the Web...use prudence when evaluating training methods and aids. It may help to run it by your coach...

Ang

Marc Dagenais · 05-15-2008, 05:48 PM

She has good suggestions. Affordability can be found locally as you don't pay for shipping. Check ebay as well, once in a while, you have good stuff also.

One great tool is the Tightspin Trainer if you can put in a few dollars. Very very useful.

Marc

jonesy22 · 05-21-2008, 12:42 AM

Well, it's just that I'm worried about time... I dont know where to find all this stuff and I don't really have the time to search around for it.

I will make my boyfriend do it... lol

thanks so much guys~

~Court

cshilt · 05-21-2008, 01:19 AM

Court,

Have you tried your local Wal-mart? You can find a variety of exercise equipment at affordable prices. Two of my favorites that we got from there is a medicine ball and a body sculpting ball...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=6958913

You can use the sculpting balls like portable Finch Windmills (if you're familar with that product). I believe that Hal Skinner used to use something like the sculpting balls back in his day as well.

-Chris

kenkrause · 05-21-2008, 04:19 AM

To create a weighted ball, use 6d (also called six penny) nails. Drive them into every fourth seam stitch hole to start. Be sure to countersink the nails, which means knocking them below the level of the ball so you can't see them anymore.

One other thing to keep in mind. Pushups, situps, and pullups are free. Do as many as you like!

coachkoot · 05-28-2008, 02:25 AM

To increase forearm strength tie a brick with shoelace to some kind of stick (in Canada we use broken hockey stick shafts) and roll shoe lace around the stick lifting the brick. Hold your arms at shoulder height to add some shoulder strengthening as well. Three repetitions three times a day will help increase your forearm strength and is very cost effective. You might want to try "painting the bench" with your pitching hand holding on to the stick by cradling it in your fingers suspending the brick. Be mindful of the swinging brick though...go slow. Same number of repetitions should do the trick. A very inexpensive way to strengthen your forearms and increase mobility in your pitching wrist.

pdj · 06-02-2008, 07:48 PM

I like the brick on a string. Have had a weight on a rope/short broom stick for many years. Roll up and roll down the weight palms up and palms down. Also you cah do curls for the biceps and extensions for the triceps with the same device.

Get a rubber ball to squeeze. Do the squeezez for palm and finger work.

Another training aid is a ball with stripes applied with a magic marker. Carry the ball with you and practice your spins whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Practice with balls of different manufacture to get acclimated to different covers and seams.

www.houseofpitching.com for some free video pitching instruction and examples.

Good luck with your pitching.

05-10-2008, 03:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
jonesy22 Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4	Softball- Pitching- and MONEY! Hi everyone- I'm 16 and an avid pitcher. I am looking for anything that's going to make me better on the field. I work out 3-4 times a week- but I also work 6 days a week so it's really hard to get a long good workout. I work across from a sporting good's store- but it is sort of expensive. Does anyone know where (even internet) to get some cheap things? Like maybe, Therabands? or Pitching weights? Bat weights? I could use all the help I could get!! Thanks Tons- Court

05-15-2008, 05:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Marc Dagenais Peak Performance Coach Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 355	She has good suggestions. Affordability can be found locally as you don't pay for shipping. Check ebay as well, once in a while, you have good stuff also. One great tool is the Tightspin Trainer if you can put in a few dollars. Very very useful. Marc __________________ Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS http://www.softballperformance.com Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that helps players be more confident, mentally tougher, hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, and be more dominant on the field. He also helps coaches win more games and get more out of their team. To get tons of performance-boosting softball tips, tricks, and advice by email, sign-up for his FREE softball newsletter. To quickly and easily boost your performance, check out Marc's powerful softball resources.

05-21-2008, 04:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
kenkrause Super Moderator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mundelein, IL Posts: 260	To create a weighted ball, use 6d (also called six penny) nails. Drive them into every fourth seam stitch hole to start. Be sure to countersink the nails, which means knocking them below the level of the ball so you can't see them anymore. One other thing to keep in mind. Pushups, situps, and pullups are free. Do as many as you like! __________________ Mundelein Thunder 18U Danes Fastpitch Contributing editor, Softball Magazine Life in the Fastpitch Lane

06-02-2008, 07:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
pdj Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12	Save Money I like the brick on a string. Have had a weight on a rope/short broom stick for many years. Roll up and roll down the weight palms up and palms down. Also you cah do curls for the biceps and extensions for the triceps with the same device. Get a rubber ball to squeeze. Do the squeezez for palm and finger work. Another training aid is a ball with stripes applied with a magic marker. Carry the ball with you and practice your spins whenever the opportunity presents itself. Practice with balls of different manufacture to get acclimated to different covers and seams. www.houseofpitching.com for some free video pitching instruction and examples. Good luck with your pitching.

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05-11-2008, 09:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
ang4yanks Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 172	Court: Great to see your enthusiasm and desire...foundational for success! You can use a hockey puck as a spinner; someone posted the use of surgical tubing which is cheap (medical supply store) for resistance; and Ernie talks about driving a certain type of nail deep into the ball for weight...he can be more specific. I think he recommends beginning with eighteen nails? and adding additional nails in increments. My daughter uses masking tape on the floor to work on her stride. When focusing on her timing she uses socks which she pitches at the couch :-) There is an endless amount of drills that can be used for training on this site and the Web...use prudence when evaluating training methods and aids. It may help to run it by your coach... Ang

05-21-2008, 12:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
jonesy22 Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4	Well, it's just that I'm worried about time... I dont know where to find all this stuff and I don't really have the time to search around for it. I will make my boyfriend do it... lol thanks so much guys~ ~Court

05-21-2008, 01:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
cshilt Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	Court, Have you tried your local Wal-mart? You can find a variety of exercise equipment at affordable prices. Two of my favorites that we got from there is a medicine ball and a body sculpting ball... http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=6958913 You can use the sculpting balls like portable Finch Windmills (if you're familar with that product). I believe that Hal Skinner used to use something like the sculpting balls back in his day as well. -Chris

05-28-2008, 02:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
coachkoot Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6	To increase forearm strength tie a brick with shoelace to some kind of stick (in Canada we use broken hockey stick shafts) and roll shoe lace around the stick lifting the brick. Hold your arms at shoulder height to add some shoulder strengthening as well. Three repetitions three times a day will help increase your forearm strength and is very cost effective. You might want to try "painting the bench" with your pitching hand holding on to the stick by cradling it in your fingers suspending the brick. Be mindful of the swinging brick though...go slow. Same number of repetitions should do the trick. A very inexpensive way to strengthen your forearms and increase mobility in your pitching wrist.