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What are the Different Types of Baseball Conditioning?

J. Nelson
J. Nelson

Like all athletic activities, baseball has its own, sport-specific methods of conditioning. There are many exercises that are beneficial to all players, and other exercises are designed for players at specific positions. Some examples are exercises to improve overall physical fitness, exercises that build endurance and strength in the player's throwing arm and drills that improve the athlete's hand-eye coordination. Baseball conditioning will vary depending on one’s age, skill level and goals, but training is common for helping the athlete prepare for and sustain performance throughout the season.

Baseball conditioning will involve a variety of exercises designed to improve one’s level of fitness and ability. Although conditioning will include running exercises designed to build stamina and footwork drills aimed at improving dexterity, the most practiced forms of baseball training often seek to improve arm conditioning and hand-eye coordination. Regardless of one’s position on the diamond, all baseball players can benefit from such training.

A baseball pitcher usually does not start in back to back games at either the amateur or professional level.
A baseball pitcher usually does not start in back to back games at either the amateur or professional level.

More often than not, pitchers have the most rigorous regimen of baseball conditioning; they usually begin training for the season before other players, and during the season, their training generally continues at a more intensive level than that of most position players. Exercises for pitchers are designed to improve arm stamina and throwing mechanics, so that the arm can sustain continued, repetitive motion at a high level of performance while avoiding injury. In addition, training for pitchers generally includes strength conditioning aimed at improving the velocity of pitches, as well as exercises to gain wrist strength needed for effective off-speed pitches such as curveballs or change-ups. Like other players, pitchers also will work on footwork and flexibility in order to field their position properly and with speed.

To increase hitting strength, baseball players often lift weights.
To increase hitting strength, baseball players often lift weights.

Hand-eye coordination training is a fundamental component of baseball conditioning, because such skills are needed by all players. Some athletes have a high level of natural hand-eye coordination, but it is something that can be improved and developed even further. Hand-eye coordination drills will involve batting exercises, catching drills and computer-simulated modules that allow batters to watch the arm motion of opposing pitchers. Hand-eye coordination training strives not only to improve one’s ability to hit pitches in a variety of locations within the strike zone, it also is important for outfielders and infielders for optimal positioning when preparing to field an oncoming ball.

Exercises for baseball pitchers are designed to improve arm stamina and throwing mechanics.
Exercises for baseball pitchers are designed to improve arm stamina and throwing mechanics.

When considering baseball conditioning, one should bear in mind the level of competition and the age of the athlete. Injury can be sustained by not properly training for a sport, but one also can become injured by conditioning itself; this is especially true in children and teenagers. Parents and coaches are advised to listen to their children and players who complain about sore elbows, arms, backs or necks, which can be caused by overly rigorous conditioning.

Discussion Comments

Feryll

@Animandel - I agree with @Drentel about the importance of hand-eye coordination in baseball. You should also slowly work in baseball conditioning exercises like light jogging and sprints. Stretching is also a good exercise for baseball. Hand-eye coordination won't do you much good if you pull a muscle and can't move.

Drentel

@Anmandel - Not so many years ago, baseball players weren't even considered in the same category as "real" athletes. As one famous Major League Baseball player said, "I'm not an athlete; I'm a baseball player."

I mention this only as a way of saying that baseball conditioning doesn't have to be as intense as conditioning for some other sports, especially if you are primarily playing for fun and not to earn a living.

The most important part of baseball is hand-eye coordination. You need hand-eye coordination to catch a ball. You need hand-eye coordination to hit a ball. So unless you are going to be strictly pinch running, there is no getting around the need for this skill in baseball. The great players have hand-eye coordination naturally or they pick it up as young kids.

I would suggest you get a ball and glove and simply practice catching the ball. You can play catch with someone, bounce the ball off a wall, and have someone hit balls to you. Do this over and over and over. Also grab a bat and have someone pitch to you, so you can get accustomed to seeing the ball and judging its speed.

Animandel

I am playing on my work softball team this year and I want to make an effort to get into baseball/softball condition before the season begins. I'm wondering which of the areas mentioned in the article are most important for a recreational softball player.

I'm not trying to become a professional ballplayer. I simply want to be an asset to my team, or at least not a liability, and I don't want to embarrass myself or my family.

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    • A baseball pitcher usually does not start in back to back games at either the amateur or professional level.
      By: cfarmer
      A baseball pitcher usually does not start in back to back games at either the amateur or professional level.
    • To increase hitting strength, baseball players often lift weights.
      By: Actionpics
      To increase hitting strength, baseball players often lift weights.
    • Exercises for baseball pitchers are designed to improve arm stamina and throwing mechanics.
      By: 56426358
      Exercises for baseball pitchers are designed to improve arm stamina and throwing mechanics.
    • Conditioning for pitchers, when compared with that of other players, is often the most rigorous.
      By: CPonder
      Conditioning for pitchers, when compared with that of other players, is often the most rigorous.
    • Conditioning programs may include running to improve stamina.
      By: Helder Almeida
      Conditioning programs may include running to improve stamina.