Keeping Young Throwers Healthy Through the Season Matthew Gimre, MD March 21, 2017

Trends in Arm Injuries in Young Throwers

Trends in Arm Injuries in Young Throwers WHY? Repeated, maximal throwing is not natural!

Trends in Arm Injuries in Young Throwers Risk Factors for Injury: Pitching while fatigued. Throwing too many innings. Not taking enough time off from baseball during the year. Throwing too many pitches. Excessive throwing when not pitching (playing catcher!). Playing for multiple teams at the same time. Pitching with injuries to other body locations. Not following a strength and conditioning regimen that includes shoulder and elbow. Not following safe practices at showcases. Throwing breaking pitches at a young age. Radar gun use.

Keeping Young Throwers Healthy Pitch counts and other recommendations: PITCH COUNTS AGE DAILY MAX (PITCHES IN GAME) REQUIRED REST (PITCHES) 0 Days 1 Days 2 Days 3 Days 4 Days 7-8 50 1-20 21-35 36-50 N/A N/A 9-10 75 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+ 11-12 85 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+ 13-14 95 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+ 15-16 95 1-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76+ 17-18 105 1-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76+ Do not pitch on 3 consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts. Age 8 and under: Avoid more that 60 cumulative innings in a calendar year Age 9-12: Avoid more than 80 cumulative innings in a calendar year. Over age 12: Avoid more than 100 cumulative innings in a calendar year. Take at least 4 months off from throwing per calendar year, with at least 2-3 months consecutive. If you are a pitcher, do not also play catcher on off days. Until age 12 or so, focus first on athleticism, fitness, fun, learning the game, techniques, and teamwork. After age 12, may start learning breaking balls, but only after developing consistent fastball and change-up.

Keeping Young Throwers Healthy Importance of proper technique:

Keeping Young Throwers Healthy Preventative and Maintenance Exercises: Thrower’s Ten Program

Keeping Young Throwers Healthy Preventative and Maintenance Exercises: Internal Rotation Stretches Sleeper Stretch Cross Body Stretch

Keeping Young Throwers Healthy Preventative and Maintenance Exercises: Serratus Slide Stretch Internal Rotation Hip Stretch

Keeping Young Throwers Healthy Preventative and Maintenance Exercises: Bench Lat Stretch

Keeping Young Throwers Healthy Preventative and Maintenance Exercises: Pec Minor Stretch

Keeping Young Baseball Players Healthy A brief word on acute injuries: Catastrophic injuries in youth baseball are rare. Stay calm, focus on the player and the situation. Always err on the side of caution.

Thank you! Have a great season!