Posted by: Jimmy () on Sat Jan 27 18:39:33 2007

> > > > It goes without saying that any top quality athlete should be in shape. And that
> > combines cardio as well as weights. Over time so many players realize too late that
they
> > should have taken better care of themselves.
> > >
> > > Its true that a certain amount of cardiovascular endurance would benefit an athelete
in
> > that 1) it would help them stay fresh in the late innings 2) it would help them stay
fresh
> > late in the season and 3) it might help them avoid injuries. But as for strength/power,
> > running for endurance does nothing for you. Strength comes from the intensity of a
> > workout, not the volume. Baseball is an anaerobic game that requires mostly short
bursts
> > of all-out activity, not sustained submaximal effort (most runs in game situations are
less
> > than 5 seconds in duration). As a rule, if you can run a mile in 7 minutes your aerobic
> > fitness should be sufficient for baseball. The player would benefit more from a
> > weightlifting routine that focuses on strength and power instead of a program that
> > emphasizes endurance.
> >
> > Tarheel,
> >
> > You couldn't be more wrong. The ability to be consistent is the most wanted
characteristic
> > that managers and coaches look for and want in a hitter. If a hitter hits 10 home runs
the
> > first half of the season but hits none the second half because he had no endurance
> > training in his lift routine, he has not reached his power potential for those equally
> > important games later in the season. The last game is just as important if not more
> > important than the first game of a season, so training for just one short burst is not
the
> > way to go. The season is not a sprint, nor is it a marathon, but it is a marathon of
sprints.
> > Training like a power lifter will shorten the life of that power in a long baseball
season.
> >
> > Jimmy
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> I would also add, that if a player is not in decent shape he can't play the field. People
tend to forget that you have to be able to play a position to stay in the major leagues for
the most part. And everyone can't play first base and third base.

Guru,

You're absolutely right. Good points. And don't forget about baserunning.

Jimmy