Effects of Under- and Overweighted Implement Training on Pitching Velocity

Abstract

This study examined the effects of training with various combinations of standard, light, and heavy baseballs on pitching velocity. High school (n = 45) and university pitchers (n = 180) were pretested for pitching velocity and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group. Group 1 pitched with a heavy, light, and standard baseball 3 days a wk for 10 wks. Group 2 pitched with a heavy and standard baseball for the first 5 wks and then a light and standard baseball for the final 5 wks. Group 3 served as a control and pitched with a standard 5-oz baseball for 10 wks. Pitching velocities were determined by electromagnetic radiation radar. The velocity of 15 consecutive pitches was calculated to represent mean pitching velocity for each subject. Groups 1 and 2 improved significantly in throwing velocity, but no improvement was observed for the control group. The results suggest that training with weighted implements using either protocol can improve pitching velocity.