Pitchers Throwing Too Many Innings

Just another thought...

As a former catcher, I don't know the answer to this.

It would seem to me that pitch counts in high school/youth programs are relative too. I would think younger pitchers throwing mostly fast balls would have less arm trouble than those that are throwing tons of offspeed pitches.

Am I right?

 

I would have to say that I agreed with you Baseline, if by off-speed you are talking about curveballs, sliders, splitters, etc. However, if you are talking about a little leaguer throwing fastballs and change ups, I would say no.

I did not start throwing a "breaking pitch" until I was 13 or 14 years old. I still do not throw one very much. I usually a "3 pitch guy".(Fastball in, Fastball away, Change Up) Every once in a while I'll have a day where my slider is on, but I usually do not throw it very often.

For example, my last outing was in the Senior State Games where I threw four innings and threw probably 60% fastballs and 40% change ups...not one slider/curveball. One scout asked me why, and my response was, "as a pitcher it is my job to know my strengths and weaknesses every time I toe the rubber so that I can put my team in a position to win and that night I did not have good feel for my breaking ball, so there was no need to throw it and give the hitters an easier pitch to hit."

Sorry for getting off topic a bit, I just start talking pitching and end up typing more then my initial intentions.

 

Article on Pitcher's Injuries:

Washington Post

 

Great article, all you boys need to go read that.