Pitching and Pitchers Discussion curveball, screwball, etc.

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I know in baseball boys are advised not to throw a curveball until they are mature because of the damage it can cause in their arm. ?Are there any limitations or suggestions as to what kinds of fastpitch pitches are safe to throw at different ages so as to protect a young girl's arm? ?For example, can throwing a curve or screwball damage a 12 year old's arm? ?What about a 14 or 16 year old? ?Are there any types of pitches to stay away from?

 

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As a pitcher and now pitching coach I would say that from personal experience I have trouble throwing a curveball because of the pain it causes in my elbow/shoulder. I learned it in college. A good rule of thumb with pitchers is to teach a new pitch when the girl can throw 90% of a previously learned pitch for a strike. Example: I teach girls a change up or drop ball when they can throw a fastball where I tell them 9 out 10 times. Alot of what pitch a girl should throw depends on the girl. But always make sure that if a pitch is hurting her arm then you should back away or learn a different way to throw the pitch.

 

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We found that our daughter also struggled with shoulder pain pitching her curve ball. She had a coach last summer who would call the same pitch over and over when the batters couldn't hit it. That pitch doesn't bother her any more as she mixes it with her other pitches.