Check this article out:
http://uconnsportsmed.uchc.edu/patientinfo/articles/injuries_young_athletes/
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Part of the problem the medical practioners are dealing with that they don't understand is the "hormonal macho complex" that is so embedded in the game of baseball.
You see it with the idea that a player never shows "pain" when they are "hit" by a pitched ball.
What are the players graded on, read the pro scout rating system. Isn't it about how fast, how far, and how hard a ball can be thrown, hit or, how fast a player can run.
None of these measurements are in themselves detrimental to an adult athlete who has reached his full growth, but when it is being applied to youngsters whose growth plates are just reaching maturity, and HS players are being measured by radar guns, with a urgency to "push it" with draft status and rankings on the line, you can see why players are coming more under the surgeons knife.
What is causing all of this?...money. Money is the motive behind all of these injuries. Money for sholarships, money for bonuses, and money for big contracts.
The reality...you are not going to reduce any of the increases in player injuries as the money gets more attractive and the competition for it gets stiffer. In fact, I predict that player injuries will increase more with the younger players as has already been experienced by the data presented in this article.
My recommendation is for youth associations to pass rules that prevent children from competing for more than one sport and one team per season. That would be a start in the right direction.
You see it with the idea that a player never shows "pain" when they are "hit" by a pitched ball.
What are the players graded on, read the pro scout rating system. Isn't it about how fast, how far, and how hard a ball can be thrown, hit or, how fast a player can run.
None of these measurements are in themselves detrimental to an adult athlete who has reached his full growth, but when it is being applied to youngsters whose growth plates are just reaching maturity, and HS players are being measured by radar guns, with a urgency to "push it" with draft status and rankings on the line, you can see why players are coming more under the surgeons knife.
What is causing all of this?...money. Money is the motive behind all of these injuries. Money for sholarships, money for bonuses, and money for big contracts.
The reality...you are not going to reduce any of the increases in player injuries as the money gets more attractive and the competition for it gets stiffer. In fact, I predict that player injuries will increase more with the younger players as has already been experienced by the data presented in this article.
My recommendation is for youth associations to pass rules that prevent children from competing for more than one sport and one team per season. That would be a start in the right direction.
Ramrod...excellent post! However, I don't think youth associations should mandate to parents how often and when their kids play. I am a strong proponent of playing one sport during one season. Hate it when I see girls playing both field hockey and s****r in the same season. Can't commit to one thing...why do it? Aren't these team sports?
Anyway, I think parents are to blame here. Mom and Dad have lost the ability to say no to junior! Mom and Dad get caught up in the hype and lose perspective. I have a buddy, great baseball guy from a great baseball family. When his son was 6, 7, 8, etc..., he was doing baseball Mon/Wed/Sat, and s****r on Tues/Thur/Sun. At the age of 10 he told his dad enough is enough. He quit everything. It devastated my friend, but I told him to back off and maybe he would come back. He did...next season he was back on the diamond...but dropped the s****r. It is a rare kid who can handle all of this...and I say good for them. But 90% of the kids doing this can't handle it...mom and dad need to:
"Wake up!"
Anyway, I think parents are to blame here. Mom and Dad have lost the ability to say no to junior! Mom and Dad get caught up in the hype and lose perspective. I have a buddy, great baseball guy from a great baseball family. When his son was 6, 7, 8, etc..., he was doing baseball Mon/Wed/Sat, and s****r on Tues/Thur/Sun. At the age of 10 he told his dad enough is enough. He quit everything. It devastated my friend, but I told him to back off and maybe he would come back. He did...next season he was back on the diamond...but dropped the s****r. It is a rare kid who can handle all of this...and I say good for them. But 90% of the kids doing this can't handle it...mom and dad need to:
"Wake up!"
64 starts in one summer!! 
What was the COACH thinking??????
What was the COACH thinking??????
We are dealing with kids here. They train for 12 months or play basketball or baseball or whatever sport. The question to ask is why? has the word no ever been mentioned.
Lebron James, Michelle Wie, Tiger Woods, etc...
I have met numerous parents who think their kid is the next one of these phenoms. Can you say clueless?
I have met numerous parents who think their kid is the next one of these phenoms. Can you say clueless?
quote:Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
64 starts in one summer!!
What was the COACH thinking??????
I thought the same thing!
This isn't really year round training. It's more playing and no rest. Training should involve many other aspects that allow for downtime in some areas. All of this is just my opinion and I'm no expert but I believe you have to let those young arms have at least a couple of months off. Most of our kids take off August and September. Then, they should do a regiment that is controlled and is strictly for arm care. i.e. band work, minimum pen work off of flat ground, stretching exercises, and a consistent long toss program. I know many posters don't agree with the weight room. I do. However, and again, it has to involve a comprehensive stretching program is not a bulk program. I do believe in programs such as, but not inclusive of, Bigger Faster Stronger. These programs have some measurements and the kids notice strength increases. Finally, a plyometric program based on two criteria will really benefit the player. One is strength or what I call "using strength." The other is speed/quickness. If done properly and I might add constructed with the aid of a trainer then this type of "year around training" will benefit the player. BTW, as most of you know, these programs of weights and plyos also have "down times" built in. JMHO!
I agree with you coachB.
We followed our doctor said as far as weights went. Basically no heavy weight training until the 2nd to last growth cycle. My son is 19 and just started weight training last December. He is 6'4" and only 170 lbs. Long skinny arms and fingers.
Our goal was to work on mechanics and the velocity will come. We wanted to get him to college where the coach will have him 24-7 and work on his strengh and velocity.
For the last 4 years he has worked out all year and he had a sore arm once and I believe it was because he was pitching in freezing weather which is normally not a problem. In this case he had an easy forth inning and ste down while the offence went on a terror allowing him to cool down. He threw 3 pitches in the 5th and puuled himself. I was shocked to see him call the coach out and give the ball up but he did what he has been told to do. His arm around the elbow felt funny and was stiff. We found out he had a strained Ulnar and needed to take it easy. No damage to the elbow itself.
We have regular checkups with a doctor who evaluates pitchers for some of the MLB teams. He even checks his mechanics.
My son is probably 2 years behing most in muscle development. He has put 7 lbs on since starting college. I assume its muscle.
We followed our doctor said as far as weights went. Basically no heavy weight training until the 2nd to last growth cycle. My son is 19 and just started weight training last December. He is 6'4" and only 170 lbs. Long skinny arms and fingers.
Our goal was to work on mechanics and the velocity will come. We wanted to get him to college where the coach will have him 24-7 and work on his strengh and velocity.
For the last 4 years he has worked out all year and he had a sore arm once and I believe it was because he was pitching in freezing weather which is normally not a problem. In this case he had an easy forth inning and ste down while the offence went on a terror allowing him to cool down. He threw 3 pitches in the 5th and puuled himself. I was shocked to see him call the coach out and give the ball up but he did what he has been told to do. His arm around the elbow felt funny and was stiff. We found out he had a strained Ulnar and needed to take it easy. No damage to the elbow itself.
We have regular checkups with a doctor who evaluates pitchers for some of the MLB teams. He even checks his mechanics.
My son is probably 2 years behing most in muscle development. He has put 7 lbs on since starting college. I assume its muscle.