Watching for arm issues

Some injuries (where there is an acknowledgement of pain or something else being wrong) start out as a deteriorating condition with no initial pain. So, from that standpoint, a lack of pain is not a guarantee there are no injuries on the horizon. But, unless you have a crystal ball, there's no way to know. Therefore, I think worrying would be a waste.

But I will say you should keep on top of the mechanics because those also have a way of deteriorating. And mechanical flaws can certainly lead to injury.

Also, I don't know what your off-season regimen is but I like young kids to take a couple months off each year specifically to allow any of those unknown "deteriorating conditions" to heal up. The idea of time off each year is called "periodization" and is recommended by the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee (see last paragraph in Recommendations section). They recommend 3 months off each year but I'm content with 2 months because it seems 9 times out of 10 when my son's have gone to the doctor for this injury or that, the prescription was to shut down for 6-8 weeks.

Welcome to the HSBBW.

I understand why you would worry about his future. There are some things you can control to help keep your pitcher healthy and that does include, in my opinion, some of the above. Very important is sufficient rest between outings and low pitch counts and inning counts and maintaining good mechanics.

Educate your son on knowing the differences between pain and soreness and let him know that if something doesn't feel right to let you know asap.

Don't be afraid to speak up if you feel that your son is being overused.

Let him develop his FB and change and limit use of the CB.

quote:

Originally posted by PitcherDad:
Is it possible for a pitcher to have arm injuries with no noticeable symptoms (soreness, pain, tightness, loss of velocity, fatigue, etc.)?

Yes, but it's unlikely.

In my experience, control problems are harbingers or elbow problems and unexplained velocity problems are harbingers of shoulder problems.

quote:

Originally posted by PitcherDad:
Without starting a debate on the merits of his workout program , should I worry about arm injuries if he is not mentioning any pain or problems? He's playing in a 14U league so he's pitching from 60', if that matters.

I wouldn't worry, but I would be aware that problems can crop up and that he might not tell you that he's feeling pain for a variety of reasons. You have to study his mechanics and look for subtle changes that might indicate that something's up.

quote:

Originally posted by Roger Tomas:
Also, I don't know what your off-season regimen is but I like young kids to take a couple months off each year specifically to allow any of those unknown "deteriorating conditions" to heal up. The idea of time off each year is called "periodization" and is recommended by the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee (see last paragraph in Recommendations section). They recommend 3 months off each year but I'm content with 2 months because it seems 9 times out of 10 when my son's have gone to the doctor for this injury or that, the prescription was to shut down for 6-8 weeks.

I agree.

My 12Us take 5 or 6 months off.

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
Very important is sufficient rest between outings and low pitch counts and inning counts and maintaining good mechanics.

Educate your son on knowing the differences between pain and soreness and let him know that if something doesn't feel right to let you know asap.

Don't be afraid to speak up if you feel that your son is being overused.

Let him develop his FB and change and limit use of the CB.

I agree with all of this.

pitcherdad


You can go crazy with worry if you allow it to happen---

If your work out regimen is working for him then keep going

If you are monitoring him as well as you say keep doing that

He is growing into a young man so make sure he tells you when he feels something "different"---it may not be pain, it may be soreness but anything different can be a red flag


I say keep doing what you are doing but watch his outings and rest now has he moves to the next level

I agree with most of the above but also look for tightness in the elbow area.
You say his arm is never tired well it should be when he has a long outting.
I also recommend a check up a couple times a season bt a spotrs chyropractor who can often detect things before they get more serious. Things like stained ulnsr and bone chips etc can be detected by them. He can also tell how growth plates are developing.
Don't get paranoid about it.

Thanks everyone for the input.