I am 15, and my coach has had me throw 120 pitches at least twice, and he has me go 5-6 innings regardless, should I talk to him about it. I don't want to reck my arm because I am pursuing a long long baseball career. Any Help?
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120 is too much, but I would be surprised if it would cause injury from doing it only twice unless you did it twice in a short time period.
Nonetheless, you should approach your coach about your concerns. This is something you should plan ahead of time in order to choose your words carefully. Many coaches strongly resent parents' "interference" and thus, it falls to the players to speak up. But the player, being young and immature, is at a decided disadvantage due to inexperience with what might become a confrontational situation, not to mention that you are basically challenging a person with authority over you and your future.
Think about how you will express yourself. Tell your parents you intend to handle this yourself, but still ask your parents if the way you are going to put it comes off correctly or might risk giving offense. If you have the classic "my way or the highway" kind of coach this is very difficult, but ultimately you have to learn how to handle these situations in life, and indeed that skill will be with you long after you're too old and feeble to play baseball.
If you practice what you are going to say ahead of time, and you get feedback on whether anything you're going to say might unintentionally give offense or land you in the doghouse, then you're ready.
On the plus side, if the coach is throwing you that much he must have a lot of faith in you. So hopefully he will be receptive to an earnest and mature approach from you.
Nonetheless, you should approach your coach about your concerns. This is something you should plan ahead of time in order to choose your words carefully. Many coaches strongly resent parents' "interference" and thus, it falls to the players to speak up. But the player, being young and immature, is at a decided disadvantage due to inexperience with what might become a confrontational situation, not to mention that you are basically challenging a person with authority over you and your future.
Think about how you will express yourself. Tell your parents you intend to handle this yourself, but still ask your parents if the way you are going to put it comes off correctly or might risk giving offense. If you have the classic "my way or the highway" kind of coach this is very difficult, but ultimately you have to learn how to handle these situations in life, and indeed that skill will be with you long after you're too old and feeble to play baseball.
If you practice what you are going to say ahead of time, and you get feedback on whether anything you're going to say might unintentionally give offense or land you in the doghouse, then you're ready.
On the plus side, if the coach is throwing you that much he must have a lot of faith in you. So hopefully he will be receptive to an earnest and mature approach from you.
Nolan,
In either of these outings did your experience any pain during or after the game ?
In either of these outings did your experience any pain during or after the game ?
A coach should be approached by the parents when it is in regards to the health and well being of their child not playing time.
In this instance the parents should take the lead. It's too easy for a coach to bully a 15yo into way too many pitches for that age.
Talk to your parents. It's your health and you determine what is necessary to guard it. Winning is not at all costs.
In this instance the parents should take the lead. It's too easy for a coach to bully a 15yo into way too many pitches for that age.
Talk to your parents. It's your health and you determine what is necessary to guard it. Winning is not at all costs.
Nolan discuss it with your Parents but don't let them near the coach. If you feel your arm can't take that many pitches talk to the coach. I am sure he will respect you for it. Keep in mind that some 15yos can throw that many and others can't. A lot depends on many factors including body type. pitching style weather and so on. You should speak up if your arm feels stressed beyond just being tired. Parents should not get involved unless you are prepared to walk away from the team because the coach continues to abuse a player. A good coach should make you feel comfortable telling him you are done.
To reply to NH FUndamentals, on both instances I experienced some pain in my elbow, and I iced it alot, but I never took a day off. I think after hearing this I will confront both my coaches varsity and freshman, because our varsity coach expects more pitches, and I am playing varsity summerball. I knew something was wrong with 120 pitches. Right now I am experiencing moderate shoulder pain and I wonder if it is a result. Anyway thank you guys for your help
quote:Originally posted by nolanryanjr.1343:
To reply to NH FUndamentals, on both instances I experienced some pain in my elbow, and I iced it alot, but I never took a day off. I think after hearing this I will confront both my coaches varsity and freshman, because our varsity coach expects more pitches, and I am playing varsity summerball. I knew something was wrong with 120 pitches. Right now I am experiencing moderate shoulder pain and I wonder if it is a result. Anyway thank you guys for your help
Given your elbow and shoulder pain, you're a poster child for pitcher abuse.
At this pace you'll need surgery quite soon.
Honestly, Im 17 and i've been a varsity pitcher since my freshman year and never once have my coaches let me get to that extent. My highest game was around 110 and it was a complete 7 inning game. No way should a 15 year old throw i'd say more then 100 pitches per game. Thats a complete game i mean. A game where you are throwing 5 maybe 6 innings never 100+ the coach is abusing your arm.
A good way to see how bad that is, is to compare it to MLB pitchers. Many MLB pitchers don't even throw that many pitches, and your only 15. Tell the coaches and don't be scared. I was used too much before and I ended up in physical therapy and pretty scared my arm was done for. Tell before it's too late.
Thanks for the help, I will talk to the coach
