One of baseball’s oldest beliefs says pitchers should keep their arms warm between innings. But what if cooling down actually helps?

In this episode of VeloUnlocked, we break down a 2016 study where pitchers applied ice to their shoulder and forearm between innings—and ended up throwing harder, feeling better, and holding their velocity deeper into games. We cover what the study showed, possible reasons it worked, and how you can safely test this in your own training.

Is it time to rethink your between-inning routine?

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What happens when pitchers stop lifting — but continue throwing?

In this episode of Applied Baseball Science, Dr. Nicholas Serio of VeloU breaks down a revealing study that tracked NCAA Division I pitchers through an 8-week fall throwing program with no access to strength training. Despite structured mound work, progressive intensity, and live batters, the athletes experienced a 6.3 mph drop in fastball velocity — in just two months.

Inside this video:

• Why velocity dropped despite consistent throwing
  
  
  
• What stayed the same: arm slot, torque, and mechanics
  
  
  
• Why force production declines without resistance-based adaptation
  
  
  
• The hidden risks of compensating when output fades
  
  
  
• How strength and throwing must be integrated for sustained performance
  
  
  

Whether you’re a pitcher managing in-season training or a coach building development plans, this episode unpacks why throwing alone isn’t enough — and what happens when the weight room is left behind.

📌 Subscribe for more science-backed breakdowns of what actually drives baseball performance.

🎓 Learn more at https://www.velouniversity.com

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.

Why are warm-weather pitchers undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier than their cold-weather peers? In this episode of Applied Baseball Science, Dr. Nicholas Serio of VeloU breaks down a recent NCAA D1 study that reveals a troubling trend: pitchers from warm-weather states experience UCL injuries at significantly younger ages — and that early breakdown may carry long-term consequences.

This video explores:

• The key findings from a 320-athlete study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
  
  
  
• The physiological reasons why young elbows are more vulnerable to early overuse
  
  
  
• The hidden risks of early specialization and year-round baseball
  
  
  
• How VeloU uses tools like the ArmCare device to monitor readiness, adjust workloads, and build long-term durability
  
  
  

Whether you’re a pitcher, parent, or coach, understanding when stress accumulates — and how to respond to it — is critical for injury prevention and sustainable performance.

📌 Subscribe to stay updated on how science is reshaping the modern game.

🎓 Learn more at https://www.velouniversity.com

Thanks for listening to this episode! To stay updated with VeloU and our insights on maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of injury, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @velouniversity.

And if you're interested in training with VeloU, click here to learn more.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review to help us bring you more valuable content in the future.