How to Care for Your Arm After Pitching a Baseball Game

America's past time, baseball. This game is loved by people of all ages. One of the most important postions, is pitching. Depending on the level of play, the pitcher most times throws a baseball faster than anyone else on the team. As a athletic matures they usably throw harder. A few key rules should be followed, to insure a pitchers body is cared for.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Light jacket
• bottled water
• ice
• pitchers ice sleeve
• pitch counter

1. 
    
   America

   Baseball is a great sport. Just imagine, a 95mph fast ball throw a short distance from a person ,with a club in their hand!!!!! Wow, this game is cool. But many times what player, coaches, even parents forget is safety. When a batter steeps up to the plate, he is pretty well protected (helmet, guards. and gloves) But safety must be understood when dealing with pitchers of all ages.

2. Pitching a ball puts a lot of stain on many parts of a players body. Basically the larger the body part that is effected, the less attention it needs. A good example would be , when a pitcher is done , his legs don't need much help. Even through he does use them for pushing off the mound, and balance, they contain large muscles. But on the other hand, his arm is also used, and containing much smaller muscles, it needs a great deal of help.

3. 
    
   water is important

   Before a pitcher enters a game , they MUST warm up. The part of the arm that is used for pitching is somewhat like an elastic band. Throwing soft , and gradually increasing length, this is the best way to warm up. In baseball terms this is called " long toss" Once a pitcher is warmed up he must stay warm. Whatever the weather, his arm must stay warm. A light jacket with just his pitching arm inserted is fine. If the weather is warm, also make sure a pitcher drinks plenty of bottled water to stay hydrated

4. 
    
   Arm & shoulder ice wraps are great after a game

   The last few tips people some times forget ,and left out could damage a pitcher longevity. Someone needs to count pitches, a pitch counter works wonders. A set number of balls throw should be know before the game.(most leagues have limits) Probably the most important thing to consider, when a pitcher is done, YOU MUST ICE HIS ARM. Many different sporting goods stores sell arm & shoulder ice wraps. These wraps take the guess work out of placing and holding the ice. 20 minutes of icing should do the trick.

Tips & Warnings

• Any unusual pain in the arm area stop throwing
• stretch before throwing
• Give your body time to rest between throwing days
• Certain pitches put more stress on your arm ,then others. ( NO CHILD SHOULD THROW CURVE BALLS)
• After icing your arm don't throw, once cool down is done you should rest
• If a team trainer is available, follow their advice