Informative Research Product Organizer
Research Topic:
Relationships between pitching methods and injury
Focusing Statement:
How are some pitchers able to throw countless innings with no arm problems and how are some not able to throw more than
two innings without severe arm problems.
Essential Background Information for Introduction:
“It’s the most demanding and strategic position in all of sports,” (Ron Darling).
Pitching is difficult, because one has to know the batter, himself and it’s the most demanding position
Puts the most stress on the arm
Tommy Johns surgery is a surgery that you get from throwing too much or the incorrect way
Potential Hook/Grabber (Story, anecdote, quote about your issue):
The FREAK!!!
Topic 1:
Different Pitching Mechanics (Most stressful) & (Susceptible to injury)
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
Pitching is a very stressful on the body as well as the The pitching motion is very stressful on the human arm and the human
mind arm is not designed to withstand long periods of such tremendous stress
It’s a mind game with batter as well as the coach and with
himself as he has to have a forget full memory and not let anything bother
him or her
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
Throwing on the mound works every part of your When pitching, it works every part of the human body it starts at the legs
body to push off the rubber then travels to your hips then to your core and then
to your shoulder, elbow, and finally down to your wrists.
Explanation Evidence /Quotes:
Different pitching motions or techniques All difftent kinds of windups there’s different techniques like throwing
straight over top, side arm, ¾ arm slot there’s also the way you stride to
the plate if you are a drop drive, or if you are a faller.
Topic 2:
Tommy Johns Surgery
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
What is Tommy John’s? Tommy Johns is a surgery that replaces the torn ligament or the (ulnor
collateral ligament) with a tendon in tour forearm and or thigh.
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
What or how do you get Tommy Johns Tommy Johns is caused from over throwing correctly, or not warming up
and stretching correctly or throwing strenuous pitches like a curve ball or
slider
Explanation Evidence /Quotes:
Baseball pitchers who needed to get Tommy Johns Billy Wagner, Billy Wagner is almost 35 years old when he got to the pros
surgery and why they needed to he was a hard throwing lefty but most of his velocity was because of his
flexibility, and as he’s getting older its becoming harder and harder to
pitch without the flexibility. This is the reason why he needed to get
surgery.
Topic 3:
Other Injuries besides (TJ) because of Pitching
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
Bone Spurs Bone spurs are overgrowth of the bone, its caused when there’s
tremendous amounts of stress on the elbow (pitching).
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
Rotator Cuff Injuries Your Rotator Cuff is located in your shoulder and its very small but painful
when its hurt, and it’s a necessity for throwing and pitching.
Explanation Evidence /Quotes:
Tennis elbow Tennis elbow is also called little league elbow but it’s a soreness that
comes from pitching too much or incorrectly and is usually found with
little leaguers. It’s very bad for your growth, and can result into
tendonitis.
Topic 4:
Correct way to Pitch (Best Mechanics) From Medical Physicians
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
Six phases when pitching (1&2) Windup, The start of pitching for any pitcher it’s more of his resting place
until he decides to throw the ball.
Early cocking, This is the next step and is when the pitcher starts to load
his weight back to his back leg.
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
Six phases when pitching (3&4) Late cocking, This is where all the weight should be transferred and the
pitcher should be closed without any energy lost
Acceleration, This is the first motion towards home plate. It’s a quick but
controlled stride towards home.
Explanation Evidence /Quotes:
Six phases when pitching (5&6) Deceleration, then start to slow down once the ball has released your
hand
Follow through, This is another necessity as a lot of pitcher will not follow
through which will result in injury, but hand hangs flows to your front leg
so no injury will occur.
Topic 5:
The Freak!!!
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
Who is the Freak? Tim Lincecum a professional baseball player who has won the Cy young
two years in a row and has dominated the game with three pitches a
fastball changeup and a curveball
Explanation Evidence/Quotes:
His Mechanics Tim is a freak…. His mechanics turned thousands of scouts down which is
the reason for him not going to a high division one school, His windup was
designed by his dad who made a windup that was just made for him. As
Tim is very flexible his mechanics relay on it, as his stride is over seven and
half feet.
Explanation Evidence /Quotes:
Why can he do, what he does? Tim Lincecum is a Freak one of a kind, he throws mid 90’s and its because
of his flexibility, and his extremely strong core.