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Baseball is one of the safest sports available for today's youth. However, many of the serious injuries
suffered by adult baseball pitchers may have begun to develop at the youth level. One of the missions of
the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee is to provide scientifically based information to
its youth baseball members to reduce the risk of injury and maximize the younger player's ability to
perform and advance to higher levels.
Multiple Appearances
Because a youth pitcher usually stays in the game at another position after pitching, the player is eligible
to return to the mound later in the game, according to the rules of baseball. While it may be good strategy
to have a starting pitcher come back in and finish a game, it is not a good idea from a health and safety
perspective. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments need time to "cool down" after physical activity, just like
they need to "warm up" before activity.
Multiple Leagues
In order to get more opportunity to develop skills, many young players play in multiple leagues. Although the
amount of pitching in a league is often limited by league rules or the judgment of its coaches, individual
pitchers sometimes exceed such limitations by pitching in more than one league at a time. The strength and
skills needed to be a successful pitcher are developed by repetition; however, a pitcher must also give
his body time to rest and recover in order to optimize his development.
Year-Round Baseball
In certain parts of warm-weather states (Florida, Texas, California, etc.) baseball leagues are available
in all seasons. However, the principle of periodization states that an athlete should have different
periods and activities in his annual conditioning schedule. Specifically, baseball pitchers need a
period of "active rest" after their season ends and before the next preseason begins. During active rest
a pitcher is encouraged to participate in physical activities that do not include a great amount of
overhand throwing.
Recommendations
Based upon its expertise and review of existing studies, the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee
makes the following recommendations for minimizing a pitcher's risk of future serious arm injury and
maximizing his chance of success
* 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 relieved within four days or if
the pain recurs immediately the next time the player pitches. League officials should inform parents
about this consideration.
* Pitch counts should be monitored and regulated in youth baseball.
Recommended limits for youth pitchers are as follows:
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9-10 Year Old Pitchers
50 pitches per game
75 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
2000 pitches per year
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11-12 Year Old Pitchers
75 pitches per game
100 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
3000 pitches per year
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13-14 Year Old Pitchers
75 pitches per game
125 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
3000 pitches per year
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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, which are important for the development of technique and strength. Backyard pitching practice after a pitched game is strongly
discouraged.
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The Above is a selected portion taken from the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee.
To view the complete report go to: http://www.asmi.org
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