March 24, 2008
Measuring the Mound
Scott Segrin sends along this article (with a hat tip to Rightfield Bleachers) on how the height of the mound causes stress on pitchers:
The study found that, compared to flat ground, pitchers on a 10-inch mound can experience increases in superior shear and adduction torque in the shoulder. According to Raasch, that means a greater amount of stress on the joint surface and surrounding structure.
Some injuries can be devastating: a rotator cuff or labrum tear. And months of rehabilitation.
Raasch and his researchers recruited 20, top-level major-league pitchers as well as Milwaukee-area Division I college pitchers for the study. The researchers used a motion-analysis system using eight digital cameras that recorded the three-dimensional positions of 43 reflective markers placed on their bodies.
Using different mound levels - flat, 6 inches, 8 inches and 10 inches - the cameras focused on determining whether there was increased stress at different levels.
At the moment, they're not saying lower the mound, but further study could lead in that direction.
Posted by David Pinto at
10:19 AM
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The injury-shortened careers of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale pitching off the legendarily high mound at Dodger Stadium immediately come to mind.
I can testify to this - the mounds at some minor league ballparks were incredibly high.
After I hurt my shoulder, I could throw on flat ground with little pain, but throwing off a mound caused extreme discomfort.
I love pitching off high mounds - you can throw a lot harder - I'm surprised it puts more strain on your shoulder because you should be throwing less with your arm and more with your back.
The study did not even need to be performed to understand the stresses of the increased height mound on the pitching arm and shoulder.
The steeper the mound, the lower the plant leg will fall before contacting the ground.
The lower the front leg is in respect to the push-off leg, the lower the pitcher's torso will be.
The lower the pitcher's torso, this means that the pitching arm and shoulder will be left "up hill", aka at higher levels in the range of motion.
The higher the shoulder and elbow are left in the pitching motion, the more strain on the rotator cuff, labrum, ligaments in the front of the shoulder, and elbow. It also means a longer distance will need to be traveled by the pitching arm & hand...more strain.
