April 10, 2006

In 1995 fast-pitch softball was given the title as the largest team sport in the United States. With more than 40 million players worldwide, fast pitch softball has become one of the fastest growing sports for women at both the high school and college levels.

Currently there are more than 700 Division I, II and III softball programs. And to substantiate the increase popularity of fast-pitch softball, last year the College Softball World Series had higher television ratings than the College Baseball World Series, and it was one of the most watched events on ESPN.

With increases in popularity and thus participation, we see associated increases in the number of injuries in softball, in particular overuse injuries occurring to the pitcher. For example, the average softball pitcher throws on average 100 pitches per game. Since most softball pitchers will pitch 3-5 games during one weekend tournament, it's likely that the continuous and constant repetition of movement at the shoulder predisposes the pitcher to overuse problems. Additionally because limits do not exist as to the number of pitches a softball pitcher can throw, its not unlikely for overuse injuries to arise.

Helping pitchers endure a full season can be challenging. Though softball pitchers differ from baseball pitchers in the `types' of forces the shoulder complex endures, forces at the shoulder joint can cause injuries which result from improper mechanics or overuse.

Though pitchers are praised for their ability to pitch fast, hard and ever-changing pitches, the `perfect pitch(es)' should be classified as those that lead to minimal distraction forces at the shoulder while also allowing the pitcher to possess an arsenal of pitches that may limit the repetitive forces that possibly lead to overuse injuries. The challenge arises however, because by the time most pitchers arrive to campus, they have already developed and established pitching techniques that may be harmful to their success long-term on the field.

While it's evident that the pitcher's role is crucial in determining the outcome of a game, it is necessary to analyze those areas that directly impact pitcher performance and effectiveness. The areas include pitch fundamentals and mechanics, shoulder and lower extremity strengthening and stretching.

Pitching Fundamentals and Mechanics
It must be noted that just as taping techniques differ amongst athletic trainers, so do pitching techniques vary amongst pitchers. Although there are different ways to pitch, some literature suggests that there is one correct way to pitch. "Correct is determined according to biomechanics and the laws of human movement." Cheri Kempf, a contributing author in "The Softball Coaching Bible," states in the Producing Elite Pitchers section that there are two basic goals of the fundamental pitching motion: efficiency and effectiveness. To achieve efficiency, "the pitcher needs to use every bit of energy she has to throw a pitch....all energy working toward the ball going to the intended location. If energy goes anywhere else but the intended location it is wasted." Coach Kempf also notes that effectiveness occurs when the body works together-all parts positioned correctly-to accomplish the location or movement. If positioning is compromised, effectiveness is lost." To achieve both efficiency and effectiveness, there are a few mainstays in a pitcher's mechanics, which include:

1. Foot Position: Lower body-feet & legs-form the foundation of the motion; Front foot is in position with target. (There is an imaginary straight line from the foot to the target. All of the pitcher's energy heads down the line)
2. Stance: Stance is consistent with foot position (feet should be slightly separated both lengthwise and widthwise.) The 360 degree arm swing begins the initial move
3. Stride Step: Stride foot is firmly planted with flexed knees, arm is extended, and the wrist begins to snap. Wrist snap should be firm, yet relaxed. Leg stride should be aggressive yet comfortable because it helps create momentum. (Core balance is vital to maintaining aggressive stride step and wrist snap is vital to control and speed)
4. Hip Thrust: Hips are square to catcher at beginning of pitch motion; Hips open (toward 3rd base) as the arm and stride leg extend forward and until ball is released; Hips return to closed (square to catcher) after ball is released; Hips and shoulders must rotate together back to square position. (Hip thrust affects the maximum velocity and efficiency of the pitch)
5. Balance: At the point of release of the ball, the body should be in an upright posture and balanced between the feet. After ball release, forward momentum will carry the pitcher's weight forward while the toe of the pivot foot is being dragged towards the stride foot -- the pitcher's weight should remain balanced between the feet -- a toe first, then heel, planting of the stride foot helps achieve the proper balance
6. Follow-Through: After ball release, the pitching arm should follow through in a natural motion with the hand generally ending in a position near the right shoulder; the correct position for a given pitcher will be achieved as long as the elbow is relaxed and continues past the hip after release of the ball. (As pitchers begin throwing a variety of pitches (e.g., drop, curve, rise ball), the different follow-though positions will be used to create the spin necessary to achieve the desired pitch)

Each component is vital to the effectiveness of the pitch, however if the execution of the `perfect pitch' compromises the integrity of the shoulder complex or places the pitcher in a vulnerable position to endure injury, each component and thus overall technique must be evaluated. Therefore, the athletic trainer as well as the pitching coach must work together to ensure that the pitcher is not compromised.

Strengthening
Strengthening of the shoulder complex, in particular rotator cuff muscles, as well as core and lower extremity strengthening are also mainstays for the fast-pitch softball pitcher. While most collegiate pitchers have strengthening programs led by their perspective strength & conditioning coaches, implementing a maintenance program only augments strengthening programs. While maintenance programs can be performed 2-3 times per week, they ARE NOT designed to replace strength & conditioning programs.

The primary focuses of a maintenance program should include:
1. Shoulder stabilizers (rotator cuff muscles)
2. Scapular stabilizers (serratus anterior and trapezius)
3. Deltoid and Pectoral muscles
4. Core Stabilizers and Hip/Gluteus Medius muscles

While performing these exercises is not a cure for common shoulder conditions in fast-pitch softball pitchers such as instability, impingement or biceps tendonitis, the results of continued participation in a maintenance program may improve overall strength and decrease the effects of muscular atrophy and pain that commonly occur during an extended softball season.

As in all strengthening programs, pain should never be a favorable outcome of the program and neither should there be a compromise in range of motion. Therefore programs should be discontinued if pain increases or persists or other conditions result from implementation.