Andy Altman, ATC, PT
Andy is a Virginia Beach native and
grew up in the Kempsville area. He has over
17 years of baseball experience with particular emphasis in throwing biomechanics over
the past 7 years. He has 10 years of Division I experience as an athletic trainer including 2 years in the Chicago White Sox
Organization at the AAA and Professional
level. He has extensive expertise in Pitching
Biomechanics and has spent time at the
American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama where Dr. Jim Andrews
has his orthopaedic practice and biomechanics lab. Andy is also a member of the National Pitchers' Association and has attended
many conferences/lectures featuring Tom
House, Bill Thurston, Jim Andrews, and
many other experts in the field.
Andy works with all levels of throwers (including professional) throughout the
region and has extensive knowledge in
shoulder and elbow injuries and rehabilitation. His specialized background combined
with state-of-the-art video analysis and software technology helps an injured pitcher
return to play as quickly as possible and
"better and stronger" than before the injury.
Ultimately, the goal is early identification of
biomechanical faults BEFORE an injury occurs and to prevent as many injuries as possible. This can help baseball players be the
best they can be and achieve an optimal level
of performance.
USA Baseball
Medical/Safety
Advisory Committee
Recommendations
State-of-the-Art
High Speed Video
Biomechanical
Analysis
PITCHING
Age Pitches/game Games/week
8-10
50
2
11-12
65
2
13-14
75
2
15-16
90
2
17-18
105
2
MINIMUM REST
Age 1 Day 2 Days
3 Days
8-10 *20
*35
*45
11-12 25
35
55
13-14 30
35
55
15-16 30
40
60
17-18 30
40
60
(*INDICATES # OF PITCHES)
4 Days
*50
60
70
80
90
AGE TO LEARN PITCHES
Fastball
8
Slider
16
Change-up
10
Forkball
16
Curveball
14
Splitter
16
Knuckleball 15
Screwball
17
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3300 Princess Anne Rd. Suite 719
Virginia Beach VA, 23456
(757) 466-4401
DIGITAL HIGH SPEED VIDEO
Natural History
Many recently published studies
have shown a staggering increase in shoulder and elbow injuries in youth through
high school age baseball players (especially
pitchers). research also shows that 50%
of pitching velocity can be directly attributed to proper throwing biomechanics
and that there is very little difference
between youth pitching biomechanics and
professional biomechanics. This illustrates
the importance for teaching proper biomechanics at an early age and identifying
inconsistencies that may predispose a player to injury.
Atlantic Physical Therapy specializes in high-speed video biomechanical
analysis and identifying any pitching biomechanical faults that may have caused or
may predispose a pitcher to injury. We
utilize a "team" approach that includes the
player, parents, and pitching coach. After
any biomechanical faults are identified, the
"team" will sit down and map out a plan
for the coach to correct the problems.
The importance of proper pitching biomechanics and early detection of
any faults can not be overemphasized.
Without the detection and correction of
these faults, our best players may never
make it to the big leagues because of injury!
Video Method
Scheduling
Videos are done by appointment and can be scheduled by
calling Atlantic Physical Therapy at 466-4401.
Fees are as follows:
$150 for first video
$100 for follow up video
We use a portable video capture method and
film from 3 different angles: from behind, from open side,
and from behind home plate. It is necessary for the
pitcher to remove his shirt to avoid interference from
bulky clothing. This 3 angles/views allow the best visualization of all aspects of the throwing motion compared to
a single angle video. Our video analysis equipment is
truely state-of-the-art. W use a commercial level Sony*
Digital camera with a 3 CCD chip and a shutter speed of
1/10,000 for incredible clarity and detail. Our powerful
Trainer DV advanced software by Sports Motion* combined with the camera delivers high quality video images
at a full 60 frames per second with total control over
every aspect of motion analysis including instant replay,
angles, velocity, on-screen graphics, and much, much
more! THERE ARE NO MISSED FRAMES AND NO
BLURRINESS. We can also copy your video to a CD or
VCR tape.
This includes:
*Video capture at field or indoor facility
*Individual review of video (45 min.)
with athlete, parents, and pitch
ing coach (if possible).
*Copy biomechanical analysis and video
on CD
Follow up videos are usually
done for comparison reasons and
serve as a valuable tool to assess biomechanical corrections.
"Our arm injuries have significantly decreased since we've been
working with Andy"
Nick Booth
Head Baseball Coach
Virginia Wesleyan College
"Outstanding knowledge of
throwing biomechanics"
Mike Loyd
Head Coach
Tallwood High School