Pitching and Pitchers Discussion How long do you think?

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Not to mention, most tb teams have 2-3 solid pitchers to rely on, where many high schools are lucky to have one.

 

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There should be a rule limiting passes by HS quarterbacks as well.

The decision should be between the kid, her coach, her pi, and her parents.

 

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Maybe girls should just stop playing the game, somebody might get hurt......

 

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And that's where parents come into play. My dd also has a curfew even though she is 18.

I was referring to people who said "my daughter is smart enough to let the coach know...etc." This wasn't about being a responsible parent. I am more than able to set limits for my child.

 

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Maybe girls should just stop playing the game, somebody might get hurt......

I have some bubble wrap.....

 

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for such a serious topic, some very ignorant quotes. Parents said the samething in football about concussions years ago, and look where thats at in football. In baseball tournaments each team keeps track of pitches or innings and its turned in at the scorers tent and monitored. I dont think a pitch or inning limit is a bad thing and if nothing else siding on the side of caution is always best especially when girls are still developing.

 

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for such a serious topic, some very ignorant quotes. Parents said the samething in football about concussions years ago, and look where thats at in football. In baseball tournaments each team keeps track of pitches or innings and its turned in at the scorers tent and monitored. I dont think a pitch or inning limit is a bad thing and if nothing else siding on the side of caution is always best especially when girls are still developing.

I don't think anyone is trying to be ignorant. In fact I find many of the comments enlightning. Overuse is not an issue I have incountered in my time with pitchers. Heaven knows my DD didn't pitch, so I have no point of reference. I do have many other injury concerns and they effect many more players and cause many, many more serious injuries. Where I get frustrated is that because an article is written about pitching, innings the softball community becomes an issue that "experts" feel should be legislated. Now I am not saying it shouldn't be - again I don't know enough about it. But I know there are issues that harm many, many more players and because it would not be popular people these same reporters and "experts" brush them aside. When a kid gets drilled by a batted ball the resulting injury can be exponentially more severe than overuse. And guess what - it happens a lot more as well.

Sorry - stepping down from my soap box once again........

 

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In all amateur athletics through the NCAA there are limits placed on all sports. There are reasons the NCAA limits games and hours of practice. It is because they are student athletes and the sanctioning body has determined what they feel to be reasonable and healthy. Further study certainly should be conducted regarding the pitching issue and possible long term ramifications of overuse.

 

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Could you give me some examples of these limits aside from baseball pitching at the youth level? No pitch limits in NCAA baseball. The game and practice limits have far more to do with time away from scholastic activities than anything else.

 

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I will reiterate again the innings in competition is expotentially less concerning than the years of 10-12 months a year of practice that so many feel is needed to become a competetive pitcher. Many pitchers feel that if they don't throw everyday they are not doing enough. That is rediculous. Game innings are such a small portion of a pitchers total work that it would be like tripping on dollars to save pennies.

Regulation is not the answer, common sense is.

 

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I'm a pitchers dad and believe restricting innings will be harmful. Would Tess Sito and Kara Dill be where they are today? What about Erin Gabriel. All three had no limitations. Now, what if Ohio stepped in and limited them? These ladies would not have the opportunities that they have. It's up to us parents to limit them when they are younger to prevent overuse.

Another thing to consider, what is their training like? Do they have a strong enough core to resist the throwing shoulder? My dd does enough resistance training to make sure nothing goes out of whack as in over development.

At the Toledo camp, my dd threw at least 400 pitches with all of the drills they had her do. It was the most I had ever seen her throw. Yet, she was the only one in the camp on Saturday to ice her shoulder afterwards.

 

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i will reiterate again the innings in competition is expotentially less concerning than the years of 10-12 months a year of practice that so many feel is needed to become a competetive pitcher. Many pitchers feel that if they don't throw everyday they are not doing enough. That is rediculous. Game innings are such a small portion of a pitchers total work that it would be like tripping on dollars to save pennies.

Regulation is not the answer, common sense is.

yep!!!

 

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Exxwhy,

Little League has requirements for both baseball and softball (which just started recently for softball).

Our little league rules for softball states for 11/12U that a girl can pitch a 9 inning game (1 pitch equals 1 inning) and 18 innings in a week. If a game goes 7 innings the starting pitcher must be relieved in the 7th. The 9/10U gets 6 innings a week.

 

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I will reiterate again the innings in competition is expotentially less concerning than the years of 10-12 months a year of practice that so many feel is needed to become a competetive pitcher. Many pitchers feel that if they don't throw everyday they are not doing enough. That is rediculous. Game innings are such a small portion of a pitchers total work that it would be like tripping on dollars to save pennies.

Regulation is not the answer, common sense is.

Lot of good points here .

I have two dds who pitch and although I hear about other pitchers who (supposedly) pitch every day for an hour mine generally go every other day (30 minutes), sometimes every third or fourth day. Something I've noticed in both of them (and I radar every pitch during practices) is that on those days when they have been off from pitching two or three days, those are the days they throw the hardest without a doubt. I liken their pitching workouts to my old weight lifting regimen. Those days of rest are necessary.

 

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Exxwhy,

Little League has requirements for both baseball and softball (which just started recently for softball).

Our little league rules for softball states for 11/12U that a girl can pitch a 9 inning game (1 pitch equals 1 inning) and 18 innings in a week. If a game goes 7 innings the starting pitcher must be relieved in the 7th. The 9/10U gets 6 innings a week.

Is there any other sport with limits? I was looking for something aside from youth baseball. Honestly, I'm not trying to be a jerk here. Just was wondering what other sports do have limits on activities because I can't think of any.

What little I know about gymnastics for instance makes overuse by pitchers pale in comparison. Those kids work VERY hard. (16-20 hrs per week at the elite levels) They have to in order to do the amazing things they do these days!

 

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I will reiterate again the innings in competition is expotentially less concerning than the years of 10-12 months a year of practice that so many feel is needed to become a competetive pitcher. Many pitchers feel that if they don't throw everyday they are not doing enough. That is rediculous. Game innings are such a small portion of a pitchers total work that it would be like tripping on dollars to save pennies.

Regulation is not the answer, common sense is.

Hear hear.

Many athletic activities have inherent risks. Some can be eliminated, some can be minimized, but there will always be a certain level of risk. Controlling those risks in children is the SOLE responsibility of the parent. Parents must decide if they will allow their children to participate, whether it be as a pitcher, a linebacker or a downhill skier. It is a balance between risk and reward. Your kid loves football, but are you, as his parent, willing to accept the risk of a concussion for him to enjoy playing football? As much as some would like to present it, this decision is not a right or wrong, but rather a personal decision. And that decision affects no one else but the kid and the family. If I allow my daughter to pitch 5 games in one day, that is OUR decision. Maybe a STUPID decision lacking common sense, but ours nonetheless.

There are far too many variables to make a blanket statement that "x" number of pitches is harmful to every single athlete. Mechanics, physical build, strength, technique, genetics - all play a part. I know of many pitchers whose pitch counts, by baseball standards, could be classed as excessive - with no ill effects. Most were college pitchers. Most were classified as "workhorses". But there is no denying that for every "workhorse" there is a pitcher who has injured themselves in some way. And those injuries may or may not be due to "overuse" or excessive pitch counts.

Actually, there are already regulations in place to control this. It's called "being a parent". If you, as a parent, think your daughter is pitching too much, DON'T LET HER! Take control of your own situation. Limit her pitches, innings, games - whatever. If she needs a mask at pitcher or third base, require her to wear one. Have a private conversation with her coach and explain your rules. That has always worked for me.

While we're on the subject of "overuse injuries", just encourage your pitcher DD to be a multi-sport athlete. Have her do varied activities that involves as many body parts as possible. If you have a physician who specializes in sports medicine (recommended) talk to them about this.

 

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Another sport with a limit example, wrestlers can only have so many matches in a day which must be separated by a certain length of time.

 

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I guess swimmers should only have so many laps...
Runners so many sprints...
Jump ropers so many twirls...just having fun with it!

All joking aside...rules may be needed due to coaches not being experts or doctors, the girls wanting to flat out compete and not be honest with their own bodies when long term they should, and aaaallllll things wear out. My pov is to build a really open relationship and encourage the girls at nearly every practice to discuss any weird feelings, tweaks, etc. bottom line...keep them in as long as it makes sense. Health first, game second. No games with their health. I foresee rules coming regarding this one day.

 

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I'll bet five years from now most other associations do since Little League has already

 

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Would Tess Sito and Kara Dill be where they are today? What about Erin Gabriel.

Yes ...