Protecting the Pitch

Baseball season has arrived, and with the start of practice and games comes an influx of young throwers through the doors of physical therapy clinics across the country.  Mostly what we see early in the season are issues with muscular imbalance or muscular strains from going too hard too soon after coming off the suggested break without participating in a offseason conditioning program.  In a few weeks, I’ll also expect to see some pitchers and catchers coming in with overuse issues such as tendonitis or Little Leaguer’s shoulder from not taking a break and/or playing for multiple teams.  In other words, they’ve been pitching/catching too much.

In 2007, Dr. James Andrews partnered with Little League to implement pitch counts and days-off for pitchers which still stands today.   Click here to see pitch counts/days off guidelines.  Many of you are aware of the pitch counts/days off rule, but are you aware these guidelines were created by Dr. Andrews and his team to apply to each child wherever he plays throughout the year, not just for Little League?  For example, a 13 year old pitcher throws 48 pitches Friday night for his school team.  He requires 2 days rest according to the American Sports Medicine Institute guidelines, meaning no pitching for any league, school, or travel team for 2 days to ensure rest and recovery of the muscles and tendons involved with pitching.

The ultimate goal for Dr. Andrews was for these pitch counts to be initiated in Little League, and then for other leagues/schools to adopt the policy.   Logistically, neither Dr. Andrews nor his staff could visit every school district, travel association, and league in the country to implement these pitch count policies.   He explained at one of the many conferences I’ve attended that Little League was the largest organization to implement the policy, and have the most positive affect on the most kids.

What actually happened over years is coaches and parents have pitchers in Little League, travel, and rec team at the same time.  They keep pitch count according to what organization they’re playing for that day, not according to what the child did with “X” organization Friday and carrying it over to “Y” organization Saturday.  However, this leads back to the ASMI recommendation of playing for one team at a time.  Also consider, these pitch counts are maximum count guidelines.  Each child is built differently, so one pitcher may fulfill 85 effective pitches with minimal fatigue while another is gassed and becomes ineffective at 40 pitches.  Get to know your bullpen, and get to know your own child’s pitch max.  Catchers also require careful consideration for overuse, even though there are not “pitch counts” in place for that position specifically. Following these guidelines decreases the pitcher’s risk of injury significantly.

One new development, the Motus baseball sleeve may help to “red flag” arm fatigue in pitchers, which may in turn also decrease injury.  I believe the Motus sleeve may be a great asset as long as it’s used properly.  The Motus sleeve is not meant to replace pitch count or cheat rest days, but may benefit youth coaches who have those pitchers with high pain tolerance, will not admit they’re in pain, push through fatigue, and then develop injury.    To hear more on the sleeve, click to listen to Dr. David Geier Episode 177 (minute 13:30) podcast.  Used correctly, the sleeve may be another tool coaches can use to protect their players at all levels.

At Core Impact Youth Fitness & Sports Performance, we are dedicated to educating players, parents , and coaches across the country.   Our program is built on the foundations Dr. James Andrews and his research teams provide for youth sports, injury treatment, and prevention.   In Dr. Andrews’ book Any Given Monday, he ends the baseball chapter calling medical professionals involved in sports to educate and lead the way to positive change in youth athletes.   It is our obligation, and we can each make a difference for the kids.

Looking at the big picture, pitch counts and rest days were not intended to be an isolated rule for Little League.  Pitch counts and rest days were meant to protect each player, regardless of organizations he/she is playing for that season.  Getting the knowledge out about pitch counts and protecting the pitcher takes time and willingness to accept change.   Youth sports can be a bumpy road to run, but reaching out for support can make the ride so much more fun and enjoyable for everyone.  If you would like to learn more, or would like Core Impact to help your team with injury prevention education, please visit our website www.mycoreimpact.com.   Youth athletes deserve our best each and every game because we expect the best from them.  Do your part to make the best happen.