Expert: Andrew Mullins - 3/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: im a catcher for my high school, im a junior on the varsity squad im a decent blocker but i still wanna sharpin that up but my throwing is off my strength, mechanics, everything. every time i try to throw the ball right on the spot with speed and accuracy my elbow starts hurting and the throw is either to slow and its high or too low and bounces 2 - 3 times or it curves to the sides. i've been trying to find ways to train my throwing arm into a stronger more accurate arm i've bought a 3 pound ball and now the ball feels like a tennis ball for about a couple of throws but it doesn't really help much as in long term wise.
so my question is how can i improve my throwing arm in all 3 areas (mechanics - speed - accuracy) i would really appreciate your advice since this problem has been haunting me ever since my first time ever playing baseball in 9th grade nevertheless i still a great love for the sport and hope to go college with this and eventually into the majors
anything u advise i would appreciate and work hard on it thanks.

ANSWER: You lost me when you said you are a catcher & a decent blocker.  Seems you went from baseball to football unless I missed something.  For some specifics you might check out www.TheCompletePitcher.com.  Even though primarily for pitchers, I personally use it for my catchers also....Many of the exercise pertain to both P & C.

Good luck...Keep me informed....

Andy

If this helped you, please rate me positively, if not, then let me know back.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: as in blocker i meant that for blocking wild pitches but my general questions was about my throwing arm i would like to improve it since it needs help?

and do you have anything other than that site because I've been given that site countless times and already am using it but i wanna see if there's anything else out there

Answer
The best way to improve both arms are the proper stretching excercises.  It's not necessarily the bulk or strentgh but teh tendons & ligaments that support & make the arm faster & more powerful.  Even major leagu pitchers are not "bulky" in upper arm areas.  That's also why many pitchers are excellent golfers...stretching becomes the key there also.

So look for a good stretching program & be nutritionally sound.  I still stand behind the above website, so do most of the major league pitchers.

Thanks again...Andy