Arm Health Heading into the Season

By Isaiah Trevino –

If you have ever been to the Texas Baseball Ranch® (or have worked with anyone associated with The Ranch), one of the first questions always asked is, “How’s your arm feeling?” This is one of the most important questions that must be answered before moving forward. 

Many people won’t ask, or ask themselves, this question before starting a certain program. No matter what plan you have moving forward, if your arm isn’t healthy enough to throw, ramped up enough, or is always giving you significant pain and discomfort, you will never be able to throw enough to make progress. Whether you are looking to gain velocity, improve movement patterns, improve command, or increase movement on your secondary stuff, they all require thousands of repetitions to do so. If our arms are not as healthy and durable as possible, none of that will be very efficient. 

One of the more common things people come to train at the Texas Baseball Ranch® is to increase velocity. And while we are all for that, as stated above, arm health will always be number one. When we ask about your arm pain, we’re not looking for a yes-or-no answer. We measure arm pain and discomfort on a scale of 1-10, with “1” being very minimal (if any) and “10” meaning something is definitely wrong, and you can’t throw at all without pain. The goal for all of our athletes is to reduce pain to a 1-2, even when throwing at max intensity. The process of getting to that number is a separate discussion, but only when we can reduce pain can we then throw enough, and with a high enough intensity, to gain velocity. 

A common mistake made is that someone will hop on a velocity enhancement program with their pain already at a high number, like a five or so. While they may take a step forward, they soon after take several steps back. They may gain velocity in a short amount of time, but if they haven’t resolved the issue causing their pain, it is only a matter of time before something serious happens, and they have to put the baseball down for an extended period of time. 

As most athletes across the country enter their final weeks before high school tryouts or the start of their college season, it is critical to recognize the importance of this. If you still have time to prepare for your season, make sure you give yourself time for arm prep and care, and properly ramp up your arm and body so you are at peak performance when the season begins. Both macro and micro ramp-ups are critical to your progress and arm health. 

If you are already in season, don’t overlook the importance of keeping your arm healthy all season long. After all, the best ability is availability. If that means you have to show up early or stay later to get extra arm care in because it doesn’t fit in with the regular practice schedule, then you must do that. It’s your responsibility to care for your arm and body. You know yourself best and what you need to do to give yourself the best chance of staying healthy all season. 

While working to improve your arm health and durability may not be the most glamorous thing to do, it is the most important. Without arm health, you cannot train, and without training, you won’t be able to perform at your highest level possible. Once we can solve the issue of arm health, only then can we start working on other things that may be holding us back. 

– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Important TBR Updates

• Fall/Winter Elite Pitchers Bootcamps. These are a great opportunity to get prepared for the spring season. Dates include:
  Dec. 28-30 (Sun-Wed) Sold Out – Please call to be placed on the waitlist
  Jan. 17-19 (Sat-Mon) Martin Luther King Day Weekend
  Feb. 14-16 (Sat-Mon) President’s Day Weekend
  To register or learn more CLICK HERE

• It’s not too late to join us. Our 7th Annual Elite Catcher’s Bootcamp starts tomorrow! This year’s event will be held on December 12-14th. Space is limited. To learn more and register visit www.TexasBaseballRanch.com/catcher

• Our Alumni/Advanced Pitching Camp is taking place January 3 & 4, 2026. We are currently sold out; however, you may call our office to be added to the waitlist.
  

• Attention Houston area athletes – One month remains! Classes are held Monday & Wednesday.  Spots are limited. Registrations for January are now being accepted. This is your final opportunity before the spring season. CLICK HERE to download the registration form or call to reserve your spot. If you have any questions email info@texasbaseballranch.com or call (936) 588-6762. Can’t attend twice a week?  Not a problem.  We have a once a week option. Give us a call.

• Coach Wolforth is hosting a special 90 minute webinar – “The Velocity Code: 3 Secrets to Improving Velocity and Staying Healthy” on Thursdays at 7pm CST.  If you’d like to attend the next webinar, CLICK HERE to register.

• Updated link! Coach Wolforth is also hosting another webinar – “The 4 Pitching Pitfalls that Sabotage Velocity, Arm Health & Long-Term Success” Mondays at 7 pm. CST. CLICK HERE to register.

Tagged as: Baseball, baseball instruction, baseball pitching, baseball training, Isaiah Trevino, perspective, Pitching Central, Season, Texas Baseball Ranch, The Ranch