2025 BIOMECHANICS PITCHING CAMP

This is a unique pitching camp. This is the only camp in the country that uses an actual biomechanics lab to analyze and detect movement patterns. Based on previous research, certain kinematics and kinetics have been linked to performance. We will lay out what those metrics are and show you specifically how you do in those areas. We will also do an assessment of how your body moves and how strong you are in key positions and movements. We will provide you with pitch metrics to show how your pitches are moving.

The primary goal of this study is to find movement characteristics that are related to pitching performance. Therefore, participants will be asked to throw pitches as hard as you can and will have ample of rest between the different tests to allow them the ability to give maximum effort.

Then we will spend the instructional portion of the camp breaking down this data and giving you real action items that will help you improve performance. Instruction will be based upon the data from all portions of the data collection and tailored specifically to the participants in the camp. Due to the time-intensive nature of the data collection and processing, we can only accept a limited number of participants.

Participants must be softball pitchers, male or female, between the ages of 14 and 23. Participants must currently pitch in games or train at least 150 pitches per week. You will be asked to report any current or previous injuries as well as a complete short questionnaire. Anthropometric data such as height, weight and hand dominance will also be collected to help with some of the analyses.

Participants are asked to wear athletic clothing and shorts. Participants will be allowed ample warm-up time and will be encouraged to begin their warm-up prior to data collection. Each participant will go through protocols in the Virginia Tech Softball Performance Center.

Once the participant enters Softball Performance Center

1. Each participant and their parent or guardian (for anyone under 18 years of age) will be given a breakdown of the study and asked to consent to the research portion of the camp.
2. Everyone will perform a movement screen. This is a series of movements that helps us determine how each individual moves.
3. Then you will go through a scripted dynamic and throwing warm-up.
4. After the warm-up everyone will be given as much time as they deem necessary to get warmed up.
5. Each pitcher will start with a Rapsodo bullpen to collect pitch spin metrics.
6. Next, each participant will throw 10-15 pitches in the markerless motion capture lab.
7. Then, each participant will go through a variety of strength tests, jumps and medicine ball throws to measure performance.
8. Finally, each participant will do a Proteus Cressey Performance Test. This allows us to give recommendations for strength and conditioning purposes.
9. This will take 2-3 hours.

After the data collection is complete, there will be a 2-hour lunch break to allow the data to be processed. After the lunch break there will be a 2-hour instructional camp. The camp will begin by explaining each of the data points that were collected. Participants and their parents will be allowed to ask questions during the camp portion. Specific drills will be demonstrated at this point and each pitcher will try out their recommended exercises.

Campers will need:

1. A catcher for warm-ups and drills at the end.
2. Normal athletic clothing (not extremely loose).
3. Water bottle.
4. A parent or guardian present during the consent process (Under 18 years old only).
5. Willingness to try new things!

DATES
June 17th
June 18th
July 29th
July 30th

AGES
14 - 23

LOCATION
Virginia Tech Softball Indoor Training Facility

CAMP TIME
9:00am - 4:00pm

CHECK-IN:
8:30am

COST
$525 per Day ($500 + $25 Fee)

REFUND POLICY
Effective 9/1/2023

In compliance with NCAA regulations, refund rates of registration fees, made only payable to Pete D’Amour Softball Camps, are as follows:

• 100% refundable if request is made 5 days prior to the beginning of camp.
• 50% refundable if request is made 3 days prior to the beginning of camp.
• 0% refundable if request is made on the day of camp, 1 day prior to camp, or 2 days prior to the beginning of camp.

Please note: Purchasing Registration Protection insurance from Ryzer does NOT guarantee any rate of refund of registration fee by Pete D’Amour Softball Camps. If you purchase Registration through Ryzer and have a situation that is a “covered reason” based on the guidelines set forth by Ryzer and its coverage, please contact Allianz Global Assistance. Please use this link (https://ryzer.com/Help/Events/) as reference to answer questions in regard to Registration Protection.

These sports camps are owned, controlled and operated by Pete D’Amour Softball Camps at Virginia Tech.  The word “Hokie(s)”, or any other reference to Virginia Tech are by permission of the university, and do not indicate, express or imply in any fashion involvement of the university in the operation or control of the camp, whose sole operator is Pete D’Amour Softball Camps.  Additionally, authorized use of Virginia Tech owned logos and trademarks does not imply an endorsement of the event or camp.

NCAA Bylaw 13.4.3.1.2.1 states that it is permissible for camps to be advertised towards a particular audience (e.g., elite camp), but advertisements or promotions must indicate that the camps are open to any and all (limited only by number, age, grade level and gender).

Pete D’Amour Softball Camps will follow all up to date Virginia Tech and VA Department of Health guidelines. Virginia Tech and NRV COVID numbers will be evaluated on a daily basis. If Covid-19 numbers significantly increase, camp could be postponed or cancelled. Campus Authorities will determine if and when changes need to occur.