Keeping Young Pitchers Healthy

As I was reading the most recent edition of "Collegiate Baseball," an article about the health of young pitchers caught my eye. Having corresponded with the publication's editor to see if I could selectively link to the article for the purpose of posting it here, I was led to the USA Baseball website where it was originally published.

For those who are interested, I'm creating a link to the webpage below. Once you pull up the webpage, click on the report dated July, 2004.

USA Baseball Webpage

 

Sorry prep. I wasn't able to open the report. Must be my DSL (Darn Slow Line)

 

Let's try this approach, Braves:

YOUNG PITCHERS AT RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURIES

Baseball experiences great popularity both for the enjoyment of participation and for the low risk of significant injury. Approximately nine million players between the ages of six to seventeen annually attest to the “love of the game”. Unfortunately over the past three decades the game has become of increasing importance, providing economic benefits and societal status to those with high levels of performance. As a result a youth recreational “game” is becoming increasingly “serious” and the primary goal of participation has become “success”. Baseball, as any sport, should promote fun, participation, skill development, maximal effort, a desire to win, an understanding of losing, teamwork, cooperation, determination, perseverance and social skills. Baseball must also give young athletes the chance to develop and maximize their skills to reach their highest level of achievement, but overzealous practices in pursuit of success can lead to serious overuse injuries. This has become most apparent in young pitchers who have sustained injuries previously only seen in adult players. These injuries are of the magnitude that can limit ultimate performance and end the ability to pitch.
“Little League elbow” was a popular term in the past, an inflammation of the inner part of the elbow in young pitchers.. In the overwhelming majority of players, the symptoms resolved with no long-term problems. Recently it has become apparent that not all elbow and shoulder problems experience simple and complete resolution. As a result of overuse, poor biomechanics, and a lack of appropriate conditioning, the significant forces created by the pitching motion has resulted in growth plate fractures, growth abnormalities, strains and tears of the rotator muscles and tendons, joint instability, tears of the cartilage in the joint, bone breakdown and ligament tears, including the ulnar collateral (Tommy John) ligament. Long periods of rest, extensive rehabilitation and surgery are frequently required to heal these injuries, some of which will never return to their previously normal structure.

DR. JAMES ANDREWS - EXPERIENCE
Dr. James Andrews, of the Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center and the American Sports Medicine Institute in Alabama repaired an average of four Tommy John ligaments from 1995 – 1997 on high school pitchers, 17 between 1998 – 2000, 26 by 2002 and more than 54 in 2003. There is little question in his mind that serious arm injuries are increasing in under 18 year-old players, even those between 11 to 15 years of age.

DR. FRANK JOBE - OPINION
Dr. Frank Jobe, associate of the Kerlan – Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and Marilyn M. Pink, Ph.D., P.T., director, Biomechanics Laboratory, Centinela Hospital Medical Center express similar concern about the injuries to young pitchers. They believe the passion for success has resulted in an excessive number of pitches thrown by young players. This is often associated with the additional risk of poor biomechanics and inadequate conditioning. Dr. Jobe believes the current environment of excess needs, moderation or serious injuries will continue to increase. What did professional pitchers do?

DR. CHANDLER - ARE THE PRACTICES OF TODAY’S
YOUNG PITCHERS NECESSARY TO REACH ELITE LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE?
Dr. Joseph B. Chandler, chairman of the Major League Baseball Medical Advisory Committee, interviewed 30 major and 71 minor league pitchers in 2002 to determine their pitching history. High pitch counts and reports of arm injuries were uncommon and most first threw a curveball at 14 and a slider at 18 years. Year round baseball was uncommon and most played other sports during the year. Professional pitchers reached their elite status without following the excess practices of today.

DR. BARRY GOLDBERG – DR. FREDERICK MUELLER
USA BASEBALL MEDICAL & SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dr. Barry Goldberg, director of Sports Medicine, Yale University Health Services and Dr. Frederick Mueller, chairman of the University of North Carolina Sports and Exercise Research at the Center for Catastrophic Sports and Injury Research, demonstrated in a preliminary pilot study in 2004 that early pitching practices appear to create an increased risk for an eventual pitching injury. Pitching volume, type of pitches thrown, inadequate rehabilitation of prior injuries and a lack of formal conditioning appear to be increasing the chance of sustaining a later significant injury.
Too much too soon combined with inappropriate preparation has caused a growing incidence of serious arm injuries in young pitchers. The recommendations of Drs. Jobe, Andrews, Chandler and the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee should reduce this growing problem.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Coaches and parents should listen and react appropriately to a youth pitcher when he/she complains about arm pain. A pitcher who complains or shows signs of arm pain during a game should be removed immediately from pitching. Parents should seek medical attention if pain is not resolved within four days or if the pain recurs immediately the next time the player pitches. League officials should educate parents about this consideration.

2. Pitch counts should be monitored and regulated in youth baseball. Recommended limits for young pitchers are as follows:
9-10 Year Old Pitchers
50 pitches per game
75 pitches per week
1,000 pitches per season
2,000 pitches per year

11-12 Year Old Pitchers
75 pitches per game
100 pitches per week
1,000 pitches per season
2,000 pitches per year

13-14 Year Old Pitchers
75 pitches per game
125 pitches per week
1,000 pitches per season
3,000 pitches per year

15-18 Year Old Pitchers
100 pitches per game
150 pitches per week
1,500 pitches per season
3,500 pitches per year

3. Pitch count limits pertain to pitches thrown in games only. These limits do not include throws from other positions, instructional pitching during practice sessions and throwing drills, all of which are important for the development of technique and strength. Backyard pitching practice after a pitched game is strongly discouraged. Excessive practice when a pitcher is in a “slump” should also be strongly discouraged.
4. Pitchers should not throw breaking pitches (curveballs, sliders, etc.) in competition until their bones have matured (indicated by the level of pubertal development) typically between 13-15 years of age. In order to succeed a youth pitcher should focus on learning good mechanics, firmly establish the skill of an accurate fastball and then learn to vary the speed of his/her pitches.
5. Pitchers are discouraged from pitching for more than one team in a given season. Coaches will tend to use better pitchers on each team, which would significantly increase pitch volume.
6. Pitchers should compete in baseball no more than nine months in any given year as periodization is needed to give the body time to rest and recover. For at least three months a year a pitcher should not play any baseball or softball, participate in throwing drills or participate in other stressful overhead activities (javelin throwing, football quarterback, softball, competitive swimming, etc.).
7. Pitchers should engage in year round physical conditioning including activities to improve endurance, strengthen the upper and lower body, enhance core strength, develop neuromuscular coordination and maintain flexibility. Specific programs should be geared to the stage of pubertal development.
8. Pitchers should be discouraged from participating in “Showcases” due to the risk of injury. The importance of “Showcases” should be de-emphasized, and at the least, pitchers should be permitted appropriate time to prepare for the display of their skills.
9. Baseball players should be discouraged from copying the style of professionals as these players have developed individual adaptations.
10. It should be strongly discouraged for a pitcher to return to the mound in a game once he/she has been removed as the pitcher.


The passion and importance placed on the success in the game of baseball, by parents, coaches and players must be tempered. The current practices of high pitch volume, early use of the curve and slider, inadequate instruction of biomechanics and a lack of appropriate conditioning will result in an increased risk of serious injury. These injuries can prevent young pitchers from reaching their maximum potential and can cause lifetime limitations in activity. Stress and overuse must be replaced by moderation. Advancing development coupled with appropriate teaching and conditioning will permit the elite player to evolve with a lower risk of a significant injury.

(Reprinted from USA Baseball Website)

 

There is not much to be debated about this report. Unfortunately, it is very true and a trend that will continue to produce young arm injuries.

One thing I have learned in my experience is that it is more than okay for a student to participate in multiple sports...especially a pitcher. To me for a young pitcher to throw 9-10 months out of the year is a recipe for disaster. Especially, if he is playing for different teams and coaches.

Thanks Prepster for the report. :xyzthumbs

 

:xyzthumbs Prepster, Have been preaching pitch counts to anyone that would listen for years. Thanks for the article, I plan on giving a copy to our parents on our USSSA team our next practice. Interesting thought, about taking off and not throwing at all for 3 months. Part of my sons workouts did consist of throwing throughout the winter. He's thirteen, strong kid, and a lefty, what are anyone's thoughts about that.

 

PhillyDave ...

Even our HS Coach insists that the players take at least 2 months off and not throw any. During that time, it's good to lift and run and stay physically active, but don't bother picking up a baseball at all.

We'll shutdown the first week of November and not start again until after exams in Mid-January. That gives you 6 weeks until the regular season starts in HS to get back into shape, which should be enough.

 

welllll....

listen to the pitchers carefully, observe them carefully, and use FREAKIN common sense!!!!!!!!! duh duh!

 

You're right "O", but there are many coaches who don't use common sense, especially the summer and fall coaches that just care about wins!!! I remember one "oldtimer" coach after I suggested that he pull out the obviously tired pitcher. His response, " He needs to suck it up". ~shaking head

 

We limit our pitchers here, I like to think I am strict on pitch counts especially on the "frozen tundra" here in Roxboro. Unfortunately it has cost me a game or two here and there, especially early in the season, but kids' arms (yes these HS players are still kids to me in a sense), but HS baseball is just a small part of life and I hope that they realize that I will do my best to look out for their best interest. What's more important, 1 game or a young player's career that is only just beginning, especially if that kid has a bright future in the game???

Think about that.

 

When our son was about 15, he was pitching in a hotly-contested, state AAU championship game. After he'd thrown the pre-determined number of pitches and was up by a slim run, his coach came over to me and said, "He's going to have a lot more opportunities to pitch in big games if we help him by taking him out here."

He did, and I've never forgotten the lesson...or lost my appreciation for for what the coach did.