Posted by: Jimmy () on Tue Jan 30 08:05:56 2007

> Jimmy,
>
> I agree with you that improving your cardiovascular endurance would benefit in a
number of ways, and that all atheletes in general should have a good fundamental fitness
base in which they can do activities for long periods of time. Pitchers for example need to
do a lot of cardiovascular work to keep there staminia up throughout the entire game. But
as far as increasing power at the plate, cardiovascular work does not make sense. A
baseball swing is a quick, all out activity that does not need alot of endurance. Its the
difference between a sprint and a 5k, between fast twitch muscles and slow twitch
muscles. You brought up consistency before. Consistency does not come from physical
endurance. Consistency at the plate results from hours of practice, good mechanics and
mental toughness.
>
> Tarheel

Tarheel,

I'm sorry but consistency comes from not only being in shape to perform at the highest
level possible but also to stay on the field. Cal Ripken Jr. is one of the best examples of
consistency in the game and it had as much to do with his off season training and
inseason training that kept him on the field for 16 straight years. His dedication to his
practice did of course involve his fundamentals but not only fundamentals.

The comparison of a sprint to a baseball season is way off the mark. Sprinters prepare for
months for one race and one performance building up for that ONE moment. Baseball
players need to prepare for the ninth inning of the 162nd game and to prepare like a
sprinter prepares just doesn't cut it.

I do agree that if you wanted to prepare for ONE swing of the bat and that was your only
swing of the year, your program would work. If that is the basis of your arguement than
please try not to confuse people in here any more.

The athlete needs to combine many different actions in his workout to improve and
balance the longevity and the short burst actions that are needed in baseball.

I am not talking of long runs in the park either. Pitchers that do as I call the "death march"
around town arn't really helping themselves as much as they could. An interval type of
running is more sufficient for the riggors of pitching. 12-15 long sprints (foulpole to
foulpole) with short breaks in between is one way to do it.

Jimmy