For example, I just read his last email because I am on his subscriber list which means I get an email a day. The email was titled, “Does strength training really increase velocity? This study provides the proof.” He goes on to fumble around and say,”Velocity comes mainly from the forces produced that allow the trunk to rotate and flex forward fast and powerfully…..Weight training will mostly waste valuable time.” I would like to ask DM, but he doesn’t allow commenting on his website, so you are saying that using weight training to increase your bodies ability to produce force or power, is a waste of time? What? DM, are you actually reading what you are writing? He continues on in the email to make a serious bogus claim.

DM writes, “Tell Tim Lincecum’s father that as Chris Lincecum was smart to stay away from a weight training program and focus instead of devoting his time to helping Tim build an explosive delivery that allowed Tim at 5’7″ 135 lbs to throw 92 mph.” DM, How do you think one builds an explosive delivery without training to be more explosive which involves some type of resistance training? The absurdity of all of this, which I have pointed out before, is that either DM is misleading us or he is really bad at researching his claims. For example, he said that Jim “The Rookie” Morris never lifted weights to increase his velocity but when I did an interview with Jim Morris and asked him this question, he immediately said he lifted a lot of weights. Once again DM makes another bogus claim here saying that Tim Lincecum’s father never used weight training to train his son but when I do a simple Google search I find two legitimate sources saying the opposite.

ESPN
“The mechanics Tim employs now are the same he used then … Chris (Lincecum) designed a weight-training program for Tim”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3713221

JockBIO
When Tim entered Liberty High School in Renton, he stood just 4-11 and weighed all of 85 pounds. Incredibly flexible, the teeanger was much stronger than he appeared, thanks mostly to a weight training program devised by Chris. Tim could do a back flip from a standing start and walk across the room on his hands.
http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/T_Lincecum/T_Lincecum_bio.html

If that isn’t enough to make you wonder if DM has any clue of what he is talking about when it comes to weight training, let’s look more into his findings behind velocity. He finishes his email pointing to this study, that is very hard to find on the Internet, which is titled, An analysis of high-speed isokinetics and pitching. DM claims that this study is proof that weight training does not increase velocity. Only if DM had any experience or form of education when it comes to weight training I might actually want to listen to what he has to say but remember the last time DM played in a baseball game was 42 years ago when weight training was almost non-existent in sports. I wonder if athletes have gotten any better athletically in the past 42 years due to the infiltration of weight training into sports? I am being sarcastic!

Let’s look at this study. Here is an excerpt of the results taken from the study.

The importance of strength, power, and acceleration were investigated in baseball fastball pitching. The only variables that related to pitching were those associated with speed. Acceleration and power at the fastest movement speeds accounted for almost all fastball pitching variance (99%). Strength was not related to speed of movement and therefore, should not be a variable considered when training for speed.

This is exactly why weight training is critical for velocity because you can train power and pure speed in the weight room. Power is simply defined as the balance of pure speed and pure strength. This study is only saying that strength alone will not increase velocity but both strength and speed or power will. How in God’s name did DM determine that this study proves that weight training does not increase velocity? Maybe he has been researching this stuff with John Madden!

If you have been persuaded or brain washed by DM on weight training for the pitcher, I would advise that you educate yourself here with these legitimate case studies that prove the power of weight training to increase velocity. There is also countless articles on this site educating you on the importance of weight training for increasing velocity. I would love for DM to debate me here over this topic but I don’t see it happening because he obviously lacks the education around weight training and the athlete!

Characteristic ground-reaction forces in baseball pitching
This study validates the clinical impression that the lower extremity is an important contributor to the throwing motion. Based on this study, strengthening of the lower extremities could be inferred to be important both to enhance performance and to avoid injury.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9474404

Baseball Throwing Velocity: A Comparison of Medicine Ball Training and Weight Training
The results of this study suggest that the use of heavier loads has been more effective than the medicine ball training in increasing velocity
http://up.topvelocity.net/uploads/2011/03/baseball-throwing-weight-training.pdf

The brilliance behind this study, called Baseball Throwing Velocity: A Comparison of Medicine Ball Training and Weight Training, is the fact that the scientist set out to prove that medicine ball training was more an effective training method to increasing throwing velocity than weight lifting. What they learned was that weight training was the winner here. Not only was it weight lifting but it was heavy weight lifting. Here is an excerpt from the study talking about this result along with a more in depth description from the study.

The results of this study suggest that the use of heavier loads has been more effective than the medicine ball training in increasing velocity…..

Kaneko et al, determined that training with heavier loads of 100% maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) resulted in increases not only in strength but also in unloaded movement speed. Similarly, a training study by Schmidtbleicher and Buehrly found that the use of relatively heavy loads of 80-90% MVC enhanced the performance of powerful dynamic movements more effectively than light loads.

I love reading studies that set out to prove a certain method and in return they learn an entirely new method that is proven to be more effective. In this case it was that heavy load training increased speed and light load training, at high velocities, did not. The best excerpt in the study is in reference to another study called Velocity specificity of resistance training found here.

A recent review by Behm and Sale concluded that balistic movements such as throwing and jumping are preprogrammed and that maximum limb velocity is determined principally by the rate of force development and overall force output. Improvement in these factors does not seem to require low load, high velocity training, but rather heavy loads or even isometric contractions. Research by Behm and Sale demonstrated that it may be the intention to move quickly that determines the velocity-specific response.

Learning that training the intention to explode and move faster is more effective than actually training moving faster is revolutionary, because most training programs do not train using intention. This is because most pitching programs do not involve heavy load training.

This phenomenon is almost proof that training methods like long toss do not have the effectiveness of increasing velocity alone (ASMI has proven more reasons why long toss is not advisable for training and rehabilitation). Velocity enhancement comes from heavy load training and this is the foundation of the Fusion System in the 3X Pitching Velocity Program.

Here is a quick summary of the study.
There were three control groups of young pitchers around the high school years. They did not have any form of training outside of throwing a baseball. One group only threw the baseball for 8 weeks and the next group did medicine ball plyometric training and also threw the baseball for 8 weeks. The last group performed heavy weight training specifically presses for the 8 weeks and also threw the baseball. The first group who only threw the baseball did not experience any strength gains or velocity gains. The second group who did the medicine ball training experienced strength gains but no velocity gains. The third and final group, who did the weight training, experienced both strength and velocity gains. The strength gains were also more than all the groups. The velocity gains was up to 4.1% in 8 weeks.

This study continues to support why the 3X Pitching Velocity Program works and why it can offer a money back guarantee. This case study was an 8 week training and throwing program and the third control group had up to 5 mph in velocity gains. The 3X Pitching Velocity Program is a 16 week training and throwing program and it continues to show results of increasing velocity from 5-10 mph.

Even though this study does not talk about injury or recovery, I would like to make a point that this is an important factor when training with heavy loads. If you are excited to read that heavy weight training will increase your velocity but you are nervous about the risk of injury, then this is why you need a program that will help you reduce the risk of injury and also where recovery is as important as pushing your limits. This is a program like the 3X Pitching Velocity Program that teaches you that proper lifting mechanics is critical to learn before you can start training heavy. Just like you must learn proper throwing mechanics before you start throwing hard, you must learn how to lift correctly to prevent injury and give your body a safe environment to improve itself.

If you would like to read this entire study for your self then visit here. You may want to print out this study and give it to your pitching coach when he asks you why you are lifting heavy weights!

I offer FREE video analysis for all lifting mechanics of those who are using the 3X Pitching Velocity Program.

Go here to read the entire transcript of the interview.

I was lucky enough to have a 40 minute interview with someone who’s story inspired my ability to overcome major rotator cuff surgery to throw 94 MPH and play professional ball. His story not only inspired me but more than likely hundreds of thousands of athletes to this date. Not only is his story inspiring it is amazing. It makes my story look like a B movie!

His name is Jim Morris and he is soon to be legendary. I have to say it was such an honor to speak with him. If you do not know who he is then you may know him better by the movie that was based on the true story of his own life called “The Rookie!” If you have not seen this movie then I suggest you stop reading this article now and go watch it.

In the interview above, Mr. Jim Morris will give you the secrets to his success. You will learn that, like I, we both used a core and leg based strength and conditioning program similar to the Fusion System in the Ace Pitcher Handbook. I was so excited to hear him talk about the importance of a heavy leg and core based weight training program and how it was a big part of his ability to pitch again because it is what I feel allowed me to make a comeback in my career. I have heard many “Old School” pitching coaches and others say that weight training is not important to building an explosive pitcher. In this interview you will hear from someone who did what very few people have done and in one case, no one has done. He threw 99MPH and was the oldest player at 35 years old to make his Major League debut. Mr. Morris continues on through the interview to inform us that the keys to his success where not only a good strength and conditioning program but building the complete pitcher or person involves everything from diet, to a healthy mental approach and most importantly your Faith.

I started off this interview a little nervous but by the end I was once again inspired by a very wise and passionate man. I beg everyone and anyone to listen to this interview and hire him to speak at your local community function if you can. I believe and his accomplishments prove it, that Jim “The Rookie” Morris discovered the secrets to throwing hard and becoming an elite pitcher with all of the odds stacked against him. This is a must see video and I hope you enjoy my interview with him because I really did!

More information on Jim “The Rookie” Morris and his motivational speaking.
www.JimTheRookieMorris.com

When body tissues are cooled, nerve cells in the chilled area initially force adjacent blood vessels to constrict, leading to a marked reduction in blood flow to that part of the body. However, if the temperature of the affected area continues to drop, nerve activity is depressed and the blood vessels begin to open up, flooding the injured tissues with blood, even though cold is still being applied. This flood-of-blood (Hunting effect) is the human body’s reflex reaction to thwart severe cold injury in a body part subjected to chilling stress.

Dr. Meeusen’s studies showed that icing initially stops the swelling and blood flow of the damaged blood vessels into the local muscle tissue but after a period of 10 minutes it can begin to have an opposite effect to the area. His documentation continues to state this damage continues on to another important system of healing.

Lymphatic Vessels: Prolonged ice application can cause lymphatic vessels (which ordinarily help carry excess tissue fluids back into the cardiovascular system) to increase in permeability. This causes large amounts of fluid to pour from the lymphatics “the wrong way” into the injured area, increasing local swelling and pressure, potentially contributing to greater pain. If icing goes on too long, the lymphatic vessels can actually be nearly obliterated, losing all of their fluid to surrounding tissues.

The lesson here is NOT that icing is bad. What we have learned is that icing is effective initially but begins to cause problems after about 10 minutes. Read the description below for the proper way to ice the arm after a game to help aid the healing process.

Ice the elbow or shoulder region for 10 minutes immediately after pitching (DO NOT PUT ICE ON ULNAR NEVER), remove the ice for about 30 minutes, and then reapply it for 10 additional minutes. Repeat this cycle of about two 10-minute icings per hour as often as desired, based on how many pitches thrown, during the first 24 to 48 hours after pitching.

I also recommend that you use a heavy bag of icing. A little bag of ice will not cool off the area enough. You can put a towel on your arm to prevent freezer burn but try to use a bag of ice that almost hurts it is so cold. I also recommend taking a cold shower instead of a warm or hot shower post game for the same healing benefits of icing.

When someone tells me that working out is bad for pitching I then ask them then why is about 70% of Major League Ball Players on Steroids or Human Growth Hormone? It isn’t because they just want to look good on TV. I then ask them why was the majority of the ball players listed on the Michell Report pitchers? I always get a few stutters followed by silence.

This does make a good point so I wanted to back up this claims with the list of pitchers who are on the Mitchell Report. It definitly does make a big statement. These pitchers where suspended for using steroids or HGH.

Agusten Montero
Juan Rincen
Rafael Betancourt
Ryan Franklin
Carlos Almanzar
Felix Heredia
Yusaku Iriki
Jason Grimsley
Guillermo Mota
Juan Salas
Clay Hensley
Grant Roberts
Matt Whiteside
Nerio Rodreguez
Henry Owens
Roger Clemens
Andy Pettitte
Kevin Brown
Jason Christiansen
Brendan Donnelly
Ryan Franklin
Eric Gagne
Matt Herges
Josias Manzanillo
Kent Mercker
Bart Miadich
Denny Neagle
Jim Parque
Stephen Randolph
Mike Stanton
Ron Villone
Jeff Williams
Todd Williams
Paul Byrd
Darren Holmes
John Rocker
Scott Schoeneweis
Ismael Valdez
Steve Woodard
Daniel Naulty
Ricky Bones
Paxton Crawford
Mike Judd
Ricky Stone

Believe me this is a short list. Think of all the Pitchers who didn’t make the list who are on these performance enhancers. If you need a reference to this information here are the links to the Mitchell report and all Pitchers suspended after the report came out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_players_named_in_the_Mitchell_Report

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_players_suspended_for_performance-enhancing_drugs

I mean honestly, how could someone truly believe that strength and conditioning will not improve your velocity or speed? This is the only reason athletes take performance enhancers like steroids and HGH. Those of us in pro sports who didn’t take them where definitely tempted. We all knew that if you took human growth hormone, Deca-Durabolin, Winstrol, Sustanon, and Anadrol separately or all together before a workout, without dying, after a few months you would be throwing a lot harder. Notice I said dying. Yes, we knew it was dangerous and that is why some of us didn’t take it. Also because the league wasn’t offering us “No Namers” millions of dollars to play better.

It is just absurd to say that strength and conditioning does not increase velocity. It is even more absurd to follow that with “Only pitching mechanics improvement can do that while using mental rehearsal prior to each pitch with the intention of moving the body faster.” If your body is growing stronger, will it not have more ability to move faster? If strength and conditioning didn’t increase pitching velocity, personally I would have never played ball again after my rotator cuff surgery.

I am in NO way promoting steroid or HGH use to increase velocity. I believe this to be more destructive than helpful in the long term. This is why I recommend the 3X Pitching Velocity Program. This is the same program I used to not only make it back to baseball after a career ending rotator cuff tear but also play pro ball and top out at 94mph.

Read my article on “Olympic Lifting Increases Pitching Velocity,” to learn more about this topic.