Can someone explain what a BASEBALL PITCHER’S SIDE SESSION is? Thanks.
It’s just practice during off-day training. Usually comprised of throwing 40 or so pitches in the bullpen with a coach to work on mechanics, location, etc.
It is when a starting pitcher is working on their pitching in the bullpen - or on the side of the field - in-between starts. It is both for practice and to maintain arm strength. It usually consists of about 30 pitches or so.
Pitching puts so much strain on the arm that starting pitchers are limited in their practicing in-between starts.
I always thought it was to prevent their muscles from stiffening. Just enough to warm them up a bit. I don’t think an established pitcher would be practicing, refining his pitches, etc. once the real season begins.
Moved to the Game Room.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
According to several sources, the side session (or “throwing a bullpen”) is a regular part of a starting pitcher’s routine. It seems to vary from pitcher to pitcher, but it looks like it’s typically either two days after their previous start, or two days before their next scheduled start.
http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=20160906&content_id=199824672