quote:Unfortunately, during our visits with Dr. Andrews and ASMI, we were told that they are seeing more and more catchers. One of ours is a pitcher and the other is a catcher. The catcher has had two arm surgeries, the pitcher a back and a labrum surgery.
It has been five years since ASMI released their position statement regarding reduction of risk of injury and advancement to higher levels of play. Is there any proof, either scientific or anecdotal that the nations youth baseball players following these guidelines have experienced a reduction in injuries?
No. The reason? Because parents want to focus on what parents can easily agree to. Pitch count limits for their sons. What about the other recommendations?
Pitch types? Multiple appearances? Other position play? For instance, your kid hits the predetermined pitch count, now he is placed in right field. Here's my favorite....showcases? Have a cow if he goes over a pitch count but he's registered for several showcases also. College select camps? Multiple leagues? Year round baseball? Practice? Pitching lessons? Lack of active rest. Conditioning?
The truth is with all this going on...nobody truly
knows the condition of Johnny's arm at any point except maybe Johnny himself. It just makes all this pitch count stuff, a farce.