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This morning as I settled into work at my Physical Therapy clinic and sipped on my first cup of coffee, I booted up the computer to review the responses to yesterday’s newsletter.

I was pleased to find a reply from an old baseball coaching buddy whom I honestly didn’t know was on the list.

In his email, he asked a really good question, one I get quite often. So I asked for his permission to share it with everyone.

(Cue the Dragnet Music…)

The following story is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

This was his email—my answer will follow:

“Randy, thanks for the update.

My son Cory is 14, in the 8th grade, and is primarily a catcher. He pitches sparingly because of my decision to not confuse his ‘arm slot’ while he was working with an ex-professional catching coach.

I have let him throw a few innings recently and the other coaches are pushing him to pitch more (my true feeling are I would rather not have him pitch any significant innings until he is a junior in High School).

I do however know that your throwing program could help him strengthen his arm. I am just writing to get your honest feedback regarding your program and his catcher ‘arm slot’ – should I wait until his sophomore year to start your program?

Let me know your thoughts?
Thanks
Mike Cook”

The following was my reply:

“Hi Mike! Great to hear from you.

A few thoughts:

Pitching IS throwing, and a power arm plays anywhere, every day.

I am not sure about this “arm slot confusion” idea. I think everyone’s arm slot is an individual thing.

However, my most efficiently moving power pitchers are often guys who have been catchers or shortstops. They’re usually the easiest 90mph gets.

You see, catchers and shortstops have had to hurry every throw they’ve ever made. They haven’t had the luxury of time, so their bodies have organized themselves to find the most efficient movement pattern possible.

Coincidentally, the most efficient pattern is usually the most powerful and the most durable.
It’s called “The Bernstein Principle”, and it’s a fundamental tenet of our program.

I’ll talk more about Nikolai Bernstein’s motor learning concepts in a future newsletter or blog post.

For an MLB example, reference Jason Mott, of the St Louis Cardinals. He was a catcher until double A ball. Now he’s a 100mph closer.

Also, catchers and shortstops are usually fast twitch athletes who have the ability to move quickly. That athleticism helps in their development as pitchers.

There is an old adage in this game:
“You can throw if you can’t pitch, but you can’t pitch if you can’t throw.”
This is one I agree with.

For a more local example check out this story on my Blog of Dylan Barrow, who never pitched until he graduated from high school. Now he throws 96mph.

http://armorypitching.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1f38f19043edbc4be623f5ce5&id=49013752c9&e=caf3198419

Whether Cory becomes a pitcher or not, we have a program for him to build his arm strength. We have a protocol designed specifically for non-pitchers, and we’ve helped several guys develop into rocket launching position players.

I’ve never heard a coach complain that his catcher’s arm was too strong.

Bring him in whenever you want. We can help.

Our ongoing training sessions take place Monday through Thursday from 5pm to 7:00 pm. Just email or call and let me know when you’re coming.

The first session is free. It will last about 2 hours.

If you decide to enroll him, the initial cost is $500 for 8 sessions. After the first 8 sessions, you become a member of The ARMory and the rate drops to $40 per session.

Or…for $60 you can bring him in for one of the assessment dates at 9:00 am, and we could start there. (April 6, April 20, May 4, and May 11)

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Randy”

BOOM! Hows that?

I often say, “We aren’t really a pitching academy, we are a motor learning laboratory.”

We seek to use the most advanced motor learning techniques to elicit changes in movement patterns. Our goal is to be completely engaged in every facet of the program.

“Everything counts” is an ARMory mantra.

I frequently remind players “This is THE most important thing we do at The ARMory…except for all the other stuff.”

We succeed, not by doing one thing 100% better than everyone else, but by doing 100+ things 1% better.

In the following days and weeks I will outline some of the fundamental scientific guideposts to our program.

If you’re ready to re-launch your career on an explosive trajectory–one that will get you noticed by coaches and scouts at the next level, “ammo up” with one of our free sessions, or come in for an initial evaluation.

Just email or call us at 813-701-3290 and let us know your coming.

We are here. Ready to load and fire!