quote:
Originally posted by LHPMom2012:
I'm not sure I agree with TPM's post, because it assumes that only the hardest-throwing kids are throwing their hardest. I have a feeling that the softer-tossers are probably throwing their hardest, too.
LHPMom
That's ok you can disagree, but to clarify I meant the hardest throwing young pitchers.
Which brings another point. Very young pitchers don't have the core strength or the leg strength to throw it max, often. They should find the comfort level to cruise at, and then bring it on a few times. I have seen too many young pitchers just trying to throw their hardest at every pitch, with arms. That's not how it works to me anyway. Velocity comes with physical maturity, years of conditioning and good mechanics. You do not have to be the hardest thrower to be a good pitcher. In other words, save it for later.
If more did this, they would have less injuries.
I didn't realize there were different theories on how young pitchers get hurt. The ones I am familiar with is watching pitch counts, rest in between starts, take time off, use pitches wisely (limit CB, no true sliders, no knuckleballs, splitters, etc) and develop a good 2 , 4 seam fastball, and CU before anything else.
It's a proven fact that hard throwing pitchers suffer a greater chance of injury. Young hard throwing pitchers need to learn how to control their velocity and not be called upon because they bring on the heat for their LL team, not used or abused for their speed.
I don
t know the anwers as to why some get hurt or why sonme don't. I can only pass on what worked for our pitcher, which is not what I see posted sometimes. What you want to do, is not care how hard your son throws at 12,13,14 maybe even 15 but how he throws when a co;;ege coach is looking at him or a ML scout. Because son threw very hard very young, we didn't make any big deal about it, just let him do his thing, stay loose, no Cb, no slider, none of that pther stuff either, he is 23 throws even harder
now and has had one bump in the road. I am glad he's made it this far. I think alot has to do with just being pitcher parent smart (thanks to hubby).