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Managing Pitchers

redbird5redbird510,000+ posts
BACKGROUND: My 12U team has 11 kids...all of them pitch. Our #1-3 are better while #4-8 are not too far behind. We feel comfortable throwing #1-3 against anyone in the country.

I think we have adone a very good job of handling our pitchers this past year with respect to pitch counts, rest, etc. Usually, pitchers #1-4 will throw 5-6 innings per weekend while #5-7 will throw 2-3 per weekend. #8-10 will typically throw 2-3 in a midweek game every other week. A light bullpen has followed their outing 72-96 hours after their outing. Positional throwing almost daily.

MY QUESTION: I am trying to develop #4-8. My plan is to rest #1-3 this fall...not throw at all, except positionally. We did not see any arm fatigue as the year went on but I'd like to rest my big guns and get my medium guns to step up.

I am not worried about winning vs. losing. My #4-8 is better than 90% of the teams we play anyway.

What are your thoughts?
Any input/flaws/changes you see in my approach?
How can I better develop my pitching staff?

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CADadCADad5,000+ posts
redbird5,
Some time off without any throwing is probably a good idea but once you've done that I'd recommend giving #1-4 about an inning a week combined with a long toss program. If they are throwing positionally they really aren't giving their arms that much of a rest anyways and they'll get more benefit from long toss with less positional throwing.

That's the one drawback with everyone being a pitcher. Everyone is also a position player and the throwing demands of being a pitcher and being a position player often conflict.
redbird5redbird510,000+ posts
CADad,

The plan is for them to rest in August and Septmebr, play October, and rest from December - February.

All position players long toss at least 2x per week in addition to positional throwing. We try to get everyone a combination of work/rest to keep their arms fresh.

Luckily, we had no sore arms much less injuries in our 3 years together.
CM Coach May1,000+ posts
Great idea redbird. Not only will the kids that are getting more moundtime benefit but the kids that are playing more in the field and resting their arms will as well. Personally I would not pitch them in games at all. I would let them bull pen and throw some quality bp once in awhile just so they dont get out of their mechanics. I had the same situation several years ago coaching AAU.
redbird5redbird510,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Coach May:
Great idea redbird. Not only will the kids that are getting more moundtime benefit but the kids that are playing more in the field and resting their arms will as well. Personally I would not pitch them in games at all. I would let them bull pen and throw some quality bp once in awhile just so they dont get out of their mechanics. I had the same situation several years ago coaching AAU.


Thanks, Coach May. That is the plan...mound time only in practice.
redbird5redbird510,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by MTH:
This link will take you to the USA Baseball Medical And Safety Advisory Committee Reports. http://www.usabaseball.com/ot/usab-med-safety-list.html

When you get there click on the link for the Report on "Young pitchers at risk for serious injuries." The recommendation of the Committee, which includes Drs. Jobe & Andrews, is no throwing for 3 months out of the year.


Thanks. They will not throw in Sept, Nov, Dec, & Jan
CoachB25CoachB25Honorary "Old TImer"
Our Legion season ended in July. So, our pitcher will have the end of July, Aug & Sept. off. We are right at 3 months off. Our weight and plyo program begins the 2nd week of Sept. Our throwing program begins mid Oct. It probablly wouldn't hurt to give all of Oct. off but then we have our break at Christmas that fits so neatly into our program and the timing would be somewhat messed up. When our throwing program begins, it is run in conjunction with professional lessons that the boys attend during the week. We don't throw baseballs in our program and I have posted that before.
redbird5redbird510,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by CoachB25:
Our Legion season ended in July. So, our pitcher will have the end of July, Aug & Sept. off. We are right at 3 months off. Our weight and plyo program begins the 2nd week of Sept. Our throwing program begins mid Oct. It probablly wouldn't hurt to give all of Oct. off but then we have our break at Christmas that fits so neatly into our program and the timing would be somewhat messed up. When our throwing program begins, it is run in conjunction with professional lessons that the boys attend during the week. We don't throw baseballs in our program and I have posted that before.


Coach B25,

Thanks for the input. You have a PM.

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