Too Many Curves?

As I was watching all the LL games the past week. I couldn't help but notice how a lot of kids threw a lot of curve balls. I understand you cant throw only two pitches and be the best pitcher out there. I do feel they need a rule for how many curve balls a kid can throw during a game. I am worried that their arms are still under-developed and even though they may throw a good curve it still isn't good for the arm.

With the new 85 pitch limit, maybe limiting the number of curve balls to 15 or so. I can remember back to my LL days and I think about the kids who threw a curve ball a lot and then in high school they even didn't pitch at all. I am worried about these kids throwing their arms out and not being able to throw in high school like I have seen.

I just wanted to bring this up and get some feedback and see what other people's opinion is.

 

There was some talk about outlawing CB's in LL, but it obviously was not followed up. I'm one of those that believes in FB's and CU's until they turn 15. In reality, there is not one good excuse for allowing CB's until their arms develop.

To develop a good change up is a better pitch to learn anyway

 

I've heard both sides of this debate; from knowledgable sources on both sides. I look forward to hearing from some of the experienced guys here.

Is throwing the "12-6" curveball (where it rolls off the top of the finger and you don't snap it off. Similar to throwing a football) bad for kids and at what age?

 

said it.......

for years it is was downright AWFUL to watch the bottom line is THE coaches want to win at all costs...TEach em the changeup naive coaches!!!! It is pitiful but many if not all these young arms will reach their climax potential somewhere during their HS years guaranteed! Additionally notice how the commentators werer talking about arm issues troubles already GO FIGURE! Wait until HS and if you are lucky you ll not have to go under the knife until you play in college if your arm lasts that long!? Was waiting for someone to bring it up JMHO and two cents worth!

 

# of curves?

"Time out, Blue. The last pitch by that dude was his 16th curve ball; he is only allowed to throw 15 of those in this game".

Other manager: "Oh that last pitch? It wasn't a curve ball, it was his fastball that tailed away".

Blue: "I only have him with 14 curves. Play ball!!"

Come on guys, not trying to be funny and I understand trhe concern for the health of young pitchers, but how would you realistically govern and enforce such a rule?

 

LL Championship curveballs ????

Right or wrong it comes down to the coaches concern for his players. Mom & Dad need to get a grip also. Fastball location and for that off speed a nice chainup. Here is a comment used to desricbe the LL championship pitcher for Ga.
From RR news:
"Scott struck out the side in the top of the sixth, fooling Japan hitters with his curveball. He pumped his fist as he headed to the dugout after getting Kazutaka Kato swinging, and fans waved U.S. flags in the stands."
With comments like this it is hard to sell the chainup. As for a curveball count EastOfRaleigh said it best. It was his tailing fastball blue.

 

My son fell in love with the CB the first time he made a Dixie Youth hitter look stupid. As he got older, he found out that good hitters can hit a CB. He developed a great CU in high school that turned out to be his best pitch. He became a three-pitch pitcher but if I had it to do over again he would have learned them in a different order. By the way, he had TJ surgery last Tuesday. We will never know if all the CBs caused it but I am pretty sure they didn't help.
On the 85 pitch rule, has there ever been a rule adopted that had more adverse effect on a game? I know its for the safety of the kid, but at least let him finish the inning he is in.

 

Agree. It has changed the game. I think you will see better coaching with pitchers. I thought that Japan would tak it this year. They looked to have some good pitching. And they took advantage of teams weaker pitching with their hitting. Not sure about finishing the inning. If a kid is having a time the coach will be looking at the next5 game or trying to save pitch count of next pitcher.

 

more

the 85 pitch rule has surely created a need for more pitchers on a LL staff.

 

If I am coaching LL right now and I'm facing a stud pitcher, I have every single one of my players take two strikes the entire game hoping to get to 85 so we can face somebody else. As sorry as that sounds, I expect to see it in the near future. That is no way to play the game but coaches have done worse to try to win.