TO TOSS OR NOT TO TOSS? 2 Truths About Long Toss
A few internet gurus even claim they have a specific method which overrides or shortcuts the long toss route. Most of these methods are simply attempts at marketing products, and they usually amount to a flat-out red herring.
The internet is replete with thousands of ideas and opinions on the efficacy of long toss for pitchers. Some coaches and gurus contend that long toss is one of the most dangerous activities a pitcher could possibly engage in from a health and injury perspective. Others claim it’s simply a waste of valuable training time because it doesn’t reflect in-game mound mechanics. Still others praise it as a godsend, the answer to almost any pitching ailment an athlete could possibly have.
So where does The Ranch fall on the long toss continuum?
The answer is way, way toward the “long toss is a godsend and the answer” end of the spectrum. While we don’t quite view long toss as the ultimate answer for every ailment, we see it as a valuable instrument in our toolbox for developing electric arm strength. When people knock the value of long toss, it’s because they fail to grasp two primary truths. TRUTH 1: One can throw without pitching, but one can never pitch without throwing. To become a prolific pitcher, one must first become a prolific thrower. This truth is simply not debatable. TRUTH 2: There are two primary elements involved in being a world-class pitcher. One is skill. The other is ability. You will need both. Long toss creates, augments, enhances, and develops ability. Long toss stimulates muscle groups in original ways by focusing on the goal of maximum distance. This assists us in creating the training effect we often seek.
These myriad opinions leave many parents and coaches confused. They don’t want to hurt young players or place them in a high-risk situation. On the other hand, they know how important it is to develop a power arm in order to advance. Confronted with so much conflicting information, they choose a middle course that all but guarantees mediocrity.
UPCOMING RANCH EVENTS
THIS MONTH IN BASEBALL HISTORY One Accomplished Player
ULTIMATE PITCHING COACHES BOOT CAMP: DEC. 4–6
Thanksgiving isn’t just a time for football. In fact, plenty of historic baseball moments have taken place on this particular holiday in the past several decades. Since Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 26 this year, we’re taking a look at one of the most memorable moments that happened on that date in 1980. Mike Schmidt is one of the most renowned players for Philadelphia Phillies fans; he played third base and was a strong hitter. By the time he reached the end of his baseball career, Schmidt had 548 home runs and 1,595 RBIs, but that’s not all. Schmidt earned four Gold Glove Awards, led the National League in home runs three times, and had played in four All-Star Games by 1979.
ELITE CATCHERS BOOT CAMP: DEC. 11–13
ELITE PITCHERS BOOT CAMPS: NOV. 21–23 DEC. 28–30 JAN. 16–18
ADVANCED/ALUMNI PITCHERS BOOT CAMP: JAN. 2–3
Yet, Nov. 26, 1980, was particularly special for Schmidt. On that day, he received all 24 votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, unanimously winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He received two other MVP awards later in his career before he retired in 1989.
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