How many pitches is too many?

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Wanted to know what some thoughts were on a pitcher for a 10U,
How many pitches in one day or a weekend tourney is too many?
(she is 9, won't be 10 until spring), I've had people tell me that
if she is throwing the ball right it doesn't matter, but i'm not sure
about that!! :question

 

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My daughter started pitching when she was 9 and her first tournament she pitched 7 games in 2 days! 3 the first and 4 the second. I was on the phone with her pitching coach the second day and he told me not to worry, she'd lose her legs first once she got tired. Unfortunately that was about the 3rd inning of the championship game. She ended up pitching around 35-40 games that season. Started pooping out towards the end, but I think it was the mental aspect getting to her. Maybe a bit too much pressure, but physically there were no problems. Good luck!!

 

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Kids are resilient. At such a young age, stress fundamentals. Correct mechanics will make her motion more efficient, & she'll be able to throw more before tiring out.

 

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I think I 'd ask a good orthopedic doctor who specializes in sports medicine---- I know some pitching coaches will tell you they can pitch all day, but why take a chance when they are young and still growing?

 

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Im not sure what the exact medical opinion would be, but I think I have experienced some ill effects in my 14yo DD from a strenuous season.
At the end of last season (beginning of August) my dd began to complain of pain. It began after we had completed our travel season where she would normally pitch around 4 complete games on the weekend, sometimes more, plus pitch during the week in league play. During the time the pain first came up, she had pitched on 3 consecutive nights. In the final game for the league championship, she was unable to pitch due to the pain and chance of further injury. It was obvious to me the kid was just plain burnt out and tired from the last grueling 4 months.

We took 4 complete weeks off and then renewed training in early September. We then decided to also embark on a weight training program to build strength and flexibility on all the muscle groups. She has no more pain since the layoff and all is well. Weve since decided that we would attempt to rest more during this upcoming season and continue with a strength training program.

Now...Im not making the claim that repeated pitching in a pretty active schedule means you will get hurt. Rather...I think that a girl can get tired enough to the point where its possible mechanics begin to suffer and you increase the likelyhood of an injury. I do know this...during the middle of the season I thought she was throwing harder than at the end. So....as I indicated, we will back off a little this year and try to get a least some more rest during the week between weekend tourneys.

 

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What this requires is a good old dose of common sense. ?

Anything and everything you do in life shold be done in moderation. ?I don't completely buy into the notion that pitching is a "natural" movement, and will allow you to throw repeatedly without the chance of injury. ?Walking is a very natural movement as well, but over time it will have its effects on the joints and muscles. ?

Moniter your DD's practice and pitching routine and be sure to give her time off to rest. ?What she is doing should not be considered any different than weightlifting. ?Weightlifters don't do the same exercises/body parts day after day. ?Why? ?The body needs time to rest and recover, and it should be no different for pitchers. ?Everything with "Moderation."

And don't let me get started on "Burnout" :-X

 

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Continue to talk to your dd and gauge on how she feels. If there is any pain definately need to take pause and evaluate. If the legs are tired that is a good thing but as some have stated above every athlete needs rest and recovery time. All athletes are different and it will be different for you dd than mine but just communucation and keepin the mechanics correct will help.

 

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I am not a pitchers Dad, but don't forget to exercise the opposite arm and shoulder from the pitching arm. Muscular development needs to be balanced. I know of a pitcher that developed her throwing arm and shoulder simply from repetitive pitching and it was definitely more muscular than her weak side. It caused trouble with her back and neck from the larger muscles pulling to one side.

 

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As with many things I guess it depends on the other factors. I'm not a doctor or trainer, but it seems to me that a young pitcher should be limited until strength and endurance can be established. My 11 year old's legs became more tired than her arm but there were a few games where she approached 130+ pitches (rec ability team in a travel league) by the 4th inning and her shoulder and arm were wearing down.