Weighted softballs

[Coach Glad]

What are your thoughts on practicing pitching with weighted softballs.

[Casoftball]

Weighted softballs can be used as a good training tool to build strength and arm speed. However, I would give this advice:
1. Make sure there is adequate warmup with regular balls
2. Don't go too heavy. A regular 12" ball is about 6.4 oz. Using a ball that is 2-3 oz heavier is sufficient to make a difference. I would not recommend a full pitching motion with a ball heavier than 9-10 oz, depending on the size/strength/form of the pitcher.
3. Keep in mind that pitching with different weighted balls can change the release point and hurt control in the short term. For this reason, I typically don't work with weighted balls too close to upcoming games.
4. Mixing in lighter balls in an overload/underload routine can be effective to both build arm strength and arm speed.

[Coach Glad]

I'm sure there's more for people to say 267 people have read this post and only one reply. Wondering if any long term injury or more feed back if you've used weighted balls for pitching workouts.

[Sid Barrett]

My DD used a weighted ball for a few weeks, when she was around 10 or so, with the intention of strengthening her shoulder and gaining velocity on her pitches. After a few weeks, her speed went up a bit...but she also suffered from a constant aching in her shoulder. Miraculously, when she stopped working out with the weighted ball, the pain went away.

For whatever my opinion is worth, I would stay away from the weighted ball at any age. I would recommend focusing on long toss when they are older, maybe 13 or 14, and work on overall strength and fitness for high school aged kids, (calisthenics, body weight squats, rowing motions using bands etc.)

[joemcq51]

You can use the weighted balls for arm whips. I would not use the weighted ball for any motion that brings the ball over the shoulder. As others have stated, there are other things you can do to strengthen the shoulder. I am a believer in long toss with a normal ball for developing arm speed and strength. JMHO

[rbi]

IDK, not a pitching coach/instructor but im just not a fan of weighted balls. I just think its too much stress on the arm, especially developing young arms… Im more into getting your body in top shape from head to toe, and work on arm strength with different throwing drills for pitchers and resistance band workouts, and run run and run some more. As you get older and more physically mature introducing a well rounded training program is a must….


Secondly, when i walk around a complex or practice field and see those damn weighted balls for hitting, i cringe. I just dont get it...

[Coach Glad]

okay let's think about this, what if 50 years ago when fastpitch softball came on the scene they made a 9 oz. softball instead of 7 oz. would there be shoulder problems . How much research went into the weight a softball should be.

[Sam]

okay let's think about this, what if 50 years ago when fastpitch softball came on the scene they made a 9 oz. softball instead of 7 oz. would there be shoulder problems . How much research went into the weight a softball should be.

There are already shoulder problems. It doesn't matter how much the ball weighs when there are no pitch count limits and parents/coaches who are more than willing to destroy a kid's arm for meaningless wins and water cooler adoration.

Weighted softballs won't do a thing except lead to injury.

[OCsoftballmomma]

They should NEVER use weighted balls until after puberty and their growth plates are set!!!!

[jtat32]

Removed - had second thoughts as to whether it was an appropriate joke for a softball site.