Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Pitchers parents and/or coaches. Opinions please

[coachjwb]

There have been some great points made here. I just want to re-emphasize some points made about overuse injuries.

I will say that when my DD was pitching, there were definitely extended periods of time when she also went 5-6 days a week. She wanted to do it, and I loved her commitment and did everything I could to support it, just as I see some other parents here are doing. But I am clearly saying that if we had to do it all over again, we would aim for an every other day, or 3-4 days a week regimen.

While I'm at it, there were also times when she pitched 3-4 games in a day or 6-7 games over the course of the weekend. If we were doing that over again, while I probably would stop short of not allowing it if her team really needed it in a pinch (e.g., other pitches out or injured), I would not be happy about it and we would probably either insist the team rectify the situation (i.e., get more pitchers) for the future, or start looking for another team.

We owe it to our children to ensure that they are participating in athletic endeavors in a safe manner, and that includes avoiding overuse injuries.

 

[KillingMeSmalls]

Like many of you, our story is similar, we likewise try to find time between volleyball, basketball, studies, a social life, and just being a kid. If she tells me she has something more important to do, or just wants to hang out with her friends, I support her because she needs to look back and have good memories of her experience. Not resentment towards Dad for forcing her to pitch. That being said, we started taking lessons at the age of 10. Since that time our practice schedule has been the same; we try for three times a week, or two if we have a lesson. In the travel and HS season it is generally just twice a week, and sometimes even once in HS depending on the number of games we played that week. Exceptions to our schedule would be to correct flaws or to work on a specific pitch. We also shut down for one month for recovery after our last summer game. She is now in her 2nd year of 16U and understands what is required to pitch at the next level and is willing to work to achieve that goal.

As others have mentioned here, there is no right or wrong answer. I think the most important thing to remember is whether or not your receiving maximum effort and results from each practice session. I will personally take two or three great practice sessions in a week over asking here to throw everyday between her already busy schedule.

 

[Fairman]

I wish I had been more aware about over-use as my dd's were coming up though the process.

I would back her off of every-days regardless of her excitement. I would certainly NOT let her pitch 5 of the 7 games in a weekend regardless of much her team needed her. I wouldn't let her pitch in high school when she hurt her leg from the cold and couldn't run to first base but could still throw effectively. I wouldn't let a National Level Gold Coach throw her for an hour and half straight during a tryout without a break regardless of his ego....should have stepped in stopped it. ...you get the point.

The pitching motion is not free, waving an arm around your head while leaping 7' forward and landing on a single leg is wearing and a price must be paid. Maybe we could just stop hurting them with over-use.

Good luck out there.

 

[CarMad]

{From Fairman}
When they were playing TB we would only work on Tuesdays and Thursdays to give them recovery time from the weekend efforts. We'd rest in September and only pitch once a week for maintenance. In August through November they would take lessons working on pitches and speed. This would typically be 3 times a week plus a lesson. The end of November and all of December we'd drop back to once or twice a week because of both family commitments and school tended to get rather intense. School ball would start out in January and we'd back off to 2 or 3 times a week primarily working on polishing her pitches and increasing her game speeds. When school ball moved into its 5 days a week mode. We would back off all of the extra work with maybe only a lesson on the weekend. Once they started playing school ball and she was pitching in games 3 or 4 times a week we would back off to no additional work. Then she would move right into TB and we'd begin again.

This was a yearly pattern that we could sustain (both of us) without injury while avoiding burnout.

{End Quote}

This is one of the best statements I've read on this forum in a long time! Good stuff! I find it hard to believe a kid from 10u up is expected to go 5 to 6 times a week. Absurd if not impossible. They have to be more well rounded as a person and have more to life than that. Not even getting into the over use issues. College is only 4 years then what? If she has talent and practices with purpose she can make it on the above regiment. Biggest factor for us is quality over quantity. To each their own I suppose.

 

[DougA10]

I wish I had been more aware about over-use as my dd's were coming up though the process.

I would back her off of every-days regardless of her excitement. I would certainly NOT let her pitch 5 of the 7 games in a weekend regardless of much her team needed her. I wouldn't let her pitch in high school when she hurt her leg from the cold and couldn't run to first base but could still throw effectively. I wouldn't let a National Level Gold Coach throw her for an hour and half straight during a tryout without a break regardless of his ego....should have stepped in stopped it. ...you get the point.

The pitching motion is not free, waving an arm around your head while leaping 7' forward and landing on a single leg is wearing and a price must be paid. Maybe we could just stop hurting them with over-use.

Good luck out there.

Ditto!!!!!

 

[311road]

I wish I had been more aware about over-use as my dd's were coming up though the process.

I would back her off of every-days regardless of her excitement. I would certainly NOT let her pitch 5 of the 7 games in a weekend regardless of much her team needed her. I wouldn't let her pitch in high school when she hurt her leg from the cold and couldn't run to first base but could still throw effectively. I wouldn't let a National Level Gold Coach throw her for an hour and half straight during a tryout without a break regardless of his ego....should have stepped in stopped it. ...you get the point.

The pitching motion is not free, waving an arm around your head while leaping 7' forward and landing on a single leg is wearing and a price must be paid. Maybe we could just stop hurting them with over-use.

Good luck out there.

Exactly the kind of thing I was looking for! Great opinions from everyone!

 

[coachjwb]

we just discussed this on the radio show as well ... good OP, 311road!