AVOIDING ARM INJURIES IN YOUTH BASEBALL – RELYING ON FUNDAMENTALS AND GOOD COACHING INSTEAD OF INNINGS PITCHED AND PITCH COUNTS TO PROTECT YOUNG PITCHERS

By:  Guerry Baldwin, East Cobb Baseball

It becomes more and more bizarre each year how certain youth baseball organizations continue to publicly express concern for the safety of youth players and yet make changes that have minimum impact.  They wrestle with the concepts of pitch-counts and innings-per-week to monitor how much a pitcher throws in an effort to cut down on arm injuries.  Although such attempts to regulate pitching are admittedly better than no rules at all, the resulting pitching “restrictions” of certain organizations are actually not restrictive at all.  Instead it has become evident that these organizations fear that too much regulation could cause a mass exodus of members to other youth baseball organizations with fewer rules.

Innings per week, innings in a day and innings pitched in consecutive days is a common practice in youth baseball by both Little League and travel ball organizations.  But what is the number of innings a young pitcher should throw in a given period of time?  How can we determine how many innings pitched in a week or weekend is safe?  When should a week start and end for purposes of counting innings?  And how does any of this make any sense?  The most important issue overlooked by these policies (in addition to accurately identifying how many innings), is the time (when) between outings.  It may be perfectly fine for a pitcher to pitch deep into both games on a Monday and the following Saturday for instance; but, it is clearly not safe to allow a youth player to throw 10 innings in 2 consecutive days which some youth organizations’ regulations still allow.

Recently, pitch counts have become popular as a way of helping to protect pitchers.  Although pitch counts are probably a better plan to help pitchers stay healthier than the innings pitched method, once again it is not the number of pitches thrown, but when they are thrown that matters.  How is it alright to throw every other game when sometimes that is every other day, just by saying we are holding the number of pitches to 75-80 pitches?  Again, it’s not only the number of pitches thrown in a game, but when those games are played.

EXAMPLES

Here is one scenario that happens often under rules allowing a player to throw up to 7 innings in 1 day:  pitcher #1 pitches a complete 7 inning game and throws 60-65 pitches.  Pitcher #2 has thrown 4 innings of a 7 inning game throwing 90-100 pitches.  If pitcher #2 completes his game, he might throw 130-150 pitches.  In this example, the 7 innings per game rule didn’t work, and if pitcher #2 in fact finished his game, he was made very susceptible to injury by his coach.

A second scenario we might have is pitcher #1 pitches deep into the game with over 100 pitches but remains loose with good actions and is not laboring.  This pitcher is fine.  Pitcher #2 is in the 3rd or 4th inning and is overthrowing, laboring, and has lost command at 40-50 pitches.  In this example, the number of pitches allowed in a game didn’t work.


SOLUTIONS

To resolve the safety problems that remain even after the implementation and adherence to pitching restrictions adopted by youth baseball organizations, coaches/parents should follow these guidelines:

* Learning how to play catch correctly:  Coaches need to monitor this, making sure players catch squared up and throw in a closed position.  Secondly, coaches need to watch the ball release of their players, recognizing an improper release.  If it is wrong, correct it and don’t allow it to continue.  Improper throwing or bad mechanics doesn’t just pertain to pitching.  Every ball thrown poorly contributes to arm injuries.  Learn how to play catch right! 

* All pitching need not be from a mound or at 100%:  Flat ground throwing is easier on your arm; therefore, it is preferable to avoid throwing from a mound every time a pitcher throws a “bull pen”.  You can gain the same results from working on your pitches and mechanics without a mound.  Actually, the benefits are noticed in mechanics and rhythm by repeating the delivery without a mound or even a ball.

* Rest period (to address the “when”): pitchers need to adequately rest their arms so they have time to recover. 

* Throw to strengthen your arm:  Youth players need to throw regularly and almost year round.  But do it properly.  Long toss is a great way to strengthen the arm.  Get on a great long toss program and stick with the program.  Throwing strengthens your arm.  Muscles need work, use them.

* Youth baseball teams need to illicit the help of baseball professionals who know about arms and how they work.  Be discipline and implement what they teach. 

* Coaches need to understand there might be baseball after youth leagues.  The game they are playing is not worth abusing a talented athlete’s arm.

* Coaches should spend time developing more youth players to pitch.

* Don’t get hung up on winning but learn to compete in every game.  Understand you can learn just as much about your players if they lose as you can if they win. 

The recommended solutions are simple and easy to follow if a coach/parent is willing to take the time and put safety before winning.  Coaches/parents need to protect their players/sons.  Don’t expect or rely on youth organizations to do so; they can only come up with generic solutions at best.

Next up:  Myths in Mechanics

Guerry Baldwin founded and heads East Cobb Baseball which is recognized by many in baseball as the top youth baseball program in the Nation.  Coach Baldwin’s also serves as the Head Coach of the 16U East Cobb Astros team and is recognized as an outstanding pitching instructor throughout youth, high school, collegiate and professional baseball.  He may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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