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I don't want to go here, but yet I'm typing this...
I see what Rayn is saying and we all know what a stud he was, but not everyone is built the same.
I've had pitchers in teen age club ball with a max of 35 and others with a max of 125. I can't throw the 125 kids that long unless its some kind of 'once in a year championship' thing and even then, I'm having issues when he passes 100. Why? Because teen age club ball just doesn't matter and I don't want to hurt a kid.
I firmly believe that each kid has a different max. The problem is, when/how do you figure out what that max is? The lower pitch guys are easier to figure out. If a kid grabs his arm and wants out after his 20th pitch each time, then you know what his max is (and that he isn't a pitcher). But what do you do when the 125 pitch kid? I'd rather somebody else figure out what his max is...
I see what Rayn is saying and we all know what a stud he was, but not everyone is built the same.
I've had pitchers in teen age club ball with a max of 35 and others with a max of 125. I can't throw the 125 kids that long unless its some kind of 'once in a year championship' thing and even then, I'm having issues when he passes 100. Why? Because teen age club ball just doesn't matter and I don't want to hurt a kid.
I firmly believe that each kid has a different max. The problem is, when/how do you figure out what that max is? The lower pitch guys are easier to figure out. If a kid grabs his arm and wants out after his 20th pitch each time, then you know what his max is (and that he isn't a pitcher). But what do you do when the 125 pitch kid? I'd rather somebody else figure out what his max is...
I, too, see what Ryan is saying and I agree with him. When I was a kid, yes, the good old days, after LL practice, the boys in my neighborhood would play in the street until it got dark. I'll bet we threw 200 innings a week, easy. Now, most of the balls were thrown to let the kid hit, but still, our arms were strong and we reacted to a lot of situation. Lots of tag-ups. Lots of running catches. Lots of running (period).
Ryan's point is that if you have proper mechanics and proper momentum and strengthen your body, you will be able to pitch a lot of pitches, therefore getting stronger so you can throw even more pitches next time. If you have ****** mechanics, pitch counts end up hiding that fact and you'll end up having a short career.
I'm sure LL has done a study on the effects of excessive pitching on a kid. But I think a lot of the pitch count restrictions at LL is to develop additional pitchers. Don't want 1 stud P to dominate the league.
Ryan's point is that if you have proper mechanics and proper momentum and strengthen your body, you will be able to pitch a lot of pitches, therefore getting stronger so you can throw even more pitches next time. If you have ****** mechanics, pitch counts end up hiding that fact and you'll end up having a short career.
I'm sure LL has done a study on the effects of excessive pitching on a kid. But I think a lot of the pitch count restrictions at LL is to develop additional pitchers. Don't want 1 stud P to dominate the league.
In no way am I condoning pitching a kid till his arm blows out. LL should be under an inning or pitch count precisely to make sure others get to play the position.
However, like the post before me said, when I was growing up in the '60s we played till the street lights came on. We played on our own. Nothing like today where kids REQUIRE parents to be there to play. Unbelievable.
I could go on but I'll say this, kids can't even play pickup basketball today w/o parents being around. They're too busy being babysit by Nintendo, etc. No wonder they're not developing their arms, etc.
However, like the post before me said, when I was growing up in the '60s we played till the street lights came on. We played on our own. Nothing like today where kids REQUIRE parents to be there to play. Unbelievable.
I could go on but I'll say this, kids can't even play pickup basketball today w/o parents being around. They're too busy being babysit by Nintendo, etc. No wonder they're not developing their arms, etc.
AMEN to that