Skip to main content

6 replies

Alarming?

Panther DadPanther Dad5,000+ posts
There has been a little discussion (in other topics) on pitchcount -- and some of us are particularly interested in that subject as the playoffs approach. We all hear horror stories about coaches that misuse their pitchers during this time of the year -- this subject isn't meant to indict coaches!

On a related note, it seems that there are an increasing number of Tommy John surgeries, which raises a few questions (in my feeble baseball mind, at least). Although all 3 of my sons pitch/pitched, I am not a pitching guru -- like BigHit Smile

Why the increasing number of TJ surjeries? It's almost like the surgery is welcomed in some circumstances ("they come back stronger"). At least 2 kids from Paris have had the operation in the past year. One is back and hit 94 on the radar gun yesterday (against Lon Morris).

Is year-round baseball a large factor? If so, how long should a pitcher, particularly a power pitcher, shut down each year?

Is there any evidence to support the idea that certain pitches contribute to this specific injury?

Does anyone have experience with the rehab? <-- I'm just curious.

I hope coaches -- most of whom are also teachers & humanitarians Smile -- consider the welfare of their athletes during the next 1.5 months.

-PD
Last edited {1}
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

TS Two Seam10+ posts
I believe a coach should be prepared to take a pitcher out as he approaches the 100 pitch count. Late in the year when the weather is warm, it may be acceptable to let a pitcher get to 110-115 pitches. Once he reaches this amount, I do not care what the situation is, the pitcher should come out.
I also believe that year round baseball is bad for arms, they need a about 2-3 months a year with no throwing.
The growing amount of sliders may be adding to arm injuries. It is easier to control a slider, but harder on the arm.
joedaddyjoedaddy100+ posts
I think the rise in TJs are due to several things including:
1)High pitch counts. Not just in high school but at an earlier age. Earlier this year my 9 year old played a team from Mesquite that had a boy throw almost 100 pitches in March. We keep our pitchers in the 40-50 range.
2)Year around baseball and showcases = too many innings and too many pitches
3)Poor conditioning
Last edited by joedaddy
T TT5310+ posts
I agree with Panther Dad. In addition to sliders there are an increasing number of young pitchers throwing splitters which, according to a few former major leaguers and sports therapists I've talked to puts an incredible amount of strain on the elbow.

The above added to the pitch count and the high percentage of breaking balls (or splitters) called by some high school coaches, to me, puts too many young athletes into the high risk category.
G govols100+ posts
Dr. John Conway, the Rangers orthopedic surgeon, worked on my shoulder and performed a TJ on my #1 pitcher in August. He told me that the stress on the elbow that causes this injury is due to several factors.

1. It is something that does not happen over night. It is from YEARS of improper stretching, warming up, mechanics, conditioning, and yes, over use.

2. He also believes that is may possibly be genetic. In that some people do all of the above, but yet never have any arm problems. While others take good care of themselves and still wind up injured.

I think throwing year round is a good thing. Maybe it is the type of throwing, stressful in game throwing year round, that needs to be examined. However, with all the big summer and fall showcases out there and all the exposure these kids have today that we did not have 15-20 years ago, I have one question to all the dads. When do you shut your son down, spring high school league, summer or fall???
Panther DadPanther Dad5,000+ posts
In my opinion, the most logical time is -- most of November, December, and the first week (at least) in January. This time period should work for most kids, despite the fact that there are a few showcases during that stretch. This is also the time when many are playing other sports -- so "shutdown" is a relative term.

I wonder if some are thinking -- I'll throw until it happens (if it happens) and then come back stronger after rehab. That seems like an iffy proposition to me.

I agree that the type of throwing in the off-season is a key.

-PD

Add Reply

Post
.

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×