High Schooler throws 194 pitches over 14 innings

#26
#26
n_huffhines said:
I wanna know how 100 years ago one guy could pitch both ends of a double-header? Are we ******* today or were they throwing 50 mph?
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Silver King, 1888. Most ridiculous stat line ever, 66 games, 64 starts, 64 CG, under .9 WHIP. A different game then, of course, but holy ****.

He was my go to in sim leagues.
 
#27
#27
We never had these problems when I played. Wonder what has changed and is it for the better?
 
#29
#29
Yankee_Vol said:
At the MLB and Minor League levels it's more common now than ever.
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And we've been on pitch counts in little league for awhile. I'd also be interested to see how American kids arms are injured when compared to Dominican pitchers who play and throw all day everyday as kids.
 
#31
#31
ToineMac said:
Stories like these are why my boys aren't allowed to play travel ball. Regular little league season and allstars if they make it. High schoolers needing tommy john and shoulder reconstruction is absurd.
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In my case, playing lots of games was not really the issue. Catching nearly every game that I didn't pitch was the issue. Those two positions involve the most throwing, require drastically different throwing motions, and often require near-max effort throws. I was incredibly competitive and didn't hurt, so I didn't know any better.

The other major factor was going year-round. If I wasn't playing, I was training. The notion of taking two weeks or a month off from throwing was foreign. The arm can withstand a lot of punishment, but it has to have some time to rest and recuperate.

By my third year in college, all the wear and tear and minor injuries had weakened the arm enough that the shoulder gave out during an awkward rep while bench pressing (low weight reps, not maxing). The UCL in my elbow had enough partial tears that it eventually ruptured during the latter stages of the rehab throwing program.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have significantly altered my summer ball and training routine as a kid and teen. The way my back, hips, knees, and feet/ankles hurt now, I would have only caught one or two games a week instead of four or more. I would have used the games to focus on my offensive game and found a way to play a less demanding position most of the time.

That said, I am still a strong proponent of utilizing travel ball to develop one's game. If your kids are not pitchers and/or catchers, they very likely will never run into the same problems I did even if you do let them play.
 
#32
#32
Spartacavolus said:
and to add another jmo, I think the tendon and ligament issues correlate back to things like steroids, creatine, and other supplements that work on the body and muscles but end up affecting ligaments and tendons.
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While supplements (legal or otherwise) can certainly have ill-effects if used incorrectly or by someone too young, I honestly do not think they contribute to the majority of cases. I know that they certainly did not contribute to my issues. I never took anything until AFTER I had gone through my shoulder surgery.
 
#33
#33
E-Tizzle said:
While supplements (legal or otherwise) can certainly have ill-effects if used incorrectly or by someone too young, I honestly do not think they contribute to the majority of cases. I know that they certainly did not contribute to my issues. I never took anything until AFTER I had gone through my shoulder surgery.
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Of course things vary, but I know several guys that went from throwing 88-89, went to minor leagues then were throwing 93-94 after rounds of steroids or hgh and their ligaments couldn't keep up. And in the early 90's, I don't know the % to give to baseball players on phd's, but word was that it was rampant and if you didn't do the same you get left behind.
 
#34
#34
Spartacavolus said:
Of course things vary, but I know several guys that went from throwing 88-89, went to minor leagues then were throwing 93-94 after rounds of steroids or hgh and their ligaments couldn't keep up. And in the early 90's, I don't know the % to give to baseball players on phd's, but word was that it was rampant and if you didn't do the same you get left behind.
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Oh, I'm well aware of how rampant the use of PHDs have been over the last 25 or 30 years. My intent was to say that I do not believe they have played much of a part in the rise of these injuries in youth players. I could be wrong, but that's my take, haha.
 
#35
#35
That Coach should be fired! I bet that kid's arm is sore as heck.:rolleyes:
 
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#36
#36
TXA&M07 said:
I'm torn on the subject to be honest. Don't ever want to see a kid jeopardize their health for no reason, but I also don't want to take away his moment. What he did was pretty memorable. The circumstances he did it in have gained national attention.

Fire the coach? That's drastic IMO

Should we take a look at pitch count limits for youth baseball? Maybe, but it'd have to be circumstantial there too.

I'm not pulling a kid that's pitching a career accomplishment like a no hitter, or a perfecto because he's thrown 90 pitches and 91 is over the line.
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Most youth leagues now have pitch limits. The main problem is teaching kids the breaking pitches so young their bodies aren't prepared for the torque on the elbow.

One of the worst feelings I have is concerning my brother. I coached him when I was 19 and left him in to pitch 9 innings when he was 13, probably close to 200 pitches. I had taught him to throw breaking pitches and we used them a lot. I wrecked his elbow in that game and he never pitched the same again. My stomach is turning thinking about it now.

Now my daughter pitches in softball and all I teach her to throw is a fastball and a change-up and she's also working on a knuckleball. All pitches that don't stress her arm too much.
 
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