Overuse

[sandlot]

Here's the URL for what I found and interesting and informative article about the problem of youngsters throwing too much, too often, and damaging their arms. <http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_4085377> (Mods: I'm not sure where this should be posted, so please feel free to move it. Thanks!)

[Sparksdale]

Makes you wonder how any of these kids ever make it to the major's.

Thanks for the article....a great read.

[dw8man]

Sandlot,

Thanks for posting the link. I read and hear a lot about the "virtures" of playing a sport all year round and can't seem to find any real proof of them. All I can find are kids who are burnt out, injured or just used up.

As a parent of a a soon to be 8th grader who will probably be a #1 or 2 pitcher this year, what advise can anyone give (espically any HS coaches) on what if anything I should say to the coach about how much pitching my son does?

Also, any input as to what he does after he pitchers. For example, when he is pulled from the game, should he go to his "other" position (shortstop) or should he just be out of the game. I am all for winning, but I am worried....

[CanadianKid]

Also, any input as to what he does after he pitchers. For example, when he is pulled from the game, should he go to his "other" position (shortstop) or should he just be out of the game. I am all for winning, but I am worried....

If he comes out of the game he should run a few poles to get the lactic acid out of his arm and stretch so his muscles don't stiffen up, and most importantly ice his arm 10minutes on 10minutes off I'd say for about 30minutes-1 hour (depending on how many innings and how many pitches he threw).

[bbjunkie]

Go to asmi.org. They are the premier sports medicine organization in the country for youth. They have a set of recommendations for how much kids at various ages should throw in a game, week and year. I believe for 13yo's, the game limit is 85.

[Chris O'Leary]

As a parent of a a soon to be 8th grader who will probably be a #1 or 2 pitcher this year, what advise can anyone give (espically any HS coaches) on what if anything I should say to the coach about how much pitching my son does?

Also, any input as to what he does after he pitchers. For example, when he is pulled from the game, should he go to his "other" position (shortstop) or should he just be out of the game. I am all for winning, but I am worried....

There isn't that much you can do about how much the coach will use your son. You can only hope that he's enlightened.

If your son is truly gifted, you might want to consider having him hide the fact that he pitches. That's the best way to ensure that he isn't over-used. I am working with one guy right now who plays for a D-1 college and is converting from OF to P.

If he wants to pitch, what you can do is have your son work on his change-up and his control. That way he won't always be throwing full out.

As far as other positions go, when it comes to my pitchers I tend to either pull them or put them in a light-throwing position like 2B or 1B. The absolute worst thing to do to a pitcher is to have them pitch and then have them play C.

[dw8man]

There isn't much you can do about the coach. (BTW.. I see you made a change to your post so my quote doesn't quite match now)

I think I didn't ask my question very well. What I want to know is if, as a parent, I should say anything to the coach? I do not see the coach as an adversary but as someone who can and will impact my son for many years (eventhough this is his last year with him). Should I not be able to discuss my expectations or should I just react to what the coach does during the season? If I did discuss my concern/expectations with the coach, how would you (anyone) react?

Also, his team will be relying on him a lot this year and I can see how it would be very easy to over use him. While I want them to be successful, I do not want him overused and risk injury.

What you can do is have your son work on his change-up and other off-speed pitches as well as his control.

I agree with bases for this suggestion but the reality is the coach calls his pitches and love to call his fastball and cutter. He gets to throw his change up about 1 out of every 10 pitches. :noidea

If your son is truly gifted, you might want to consider having him hide the fact that he pitches. .
Good idea but too late. They already know what he can do.

[Chris O'Leary]

I think I didn't ask my question very well. What I want to know is if, as a parent, I should say anything to the coach? I do not see the coach as an adversary but as someone who can and will impact my son for many years (eventhough this is his last year with him). Should I not be able to discuss my expectations or should I just react to what the coach does during the season? If I did discuss my concern/expectations with the coach, how would you (anyone) react?

In my experience, I have never seen too much that's productive come out of these kinds of discussions very often. The problem is that you are unlikely to change the coach's opinion of how to use his pitchers (and I GUARANTEE you that he thinks he knows more than you do, regardless of whether he actually does or not).

That's the beauty of playing at the college (and private high school) level. If you get a lot of offers, you can choose the offer from the guy who's most enlightened.


Also, his team will be relying on him a lot this year and I can see how it would be very easy to over use him. While I want them to be successful, I do not want him overused and risk injury.

Based on everything else you've said, I think you are right to be concerned.


I agree with basis for this suggestion but the reality is the coach calls his pitches and loves to call his fastball and cutter. He gets to throw his change up about 1 out of every 10 pitches.

It could be that your son's change-up needs work. If so, work to improve it.

You might also want to consider have him work on a knuckle curve.

However, all of this makes me wonder whether the coach knows that much about pitching and/or has the best interests of your son in mind.


Good idea but too late. They already know what he can do.

If it gets to this point, you could have him fake a mental/confidence problem. It sounds like your son could make the team as a SS.

I know that some will say that this is underhanded and extreme, but if the guy is going to ruin your son's arm (much less his future), it's your job as a parent to step in and do something about it.

[Jake Patterson]

I believe for 13yo's, the game limit is 85.

Don't lose site of the fact that we should be talking biological age....

[bbjunkie]

There isn't that much you can do about how much the coach will use your son. You can only hope that he's enlightened.
Don't hope, check. Educate yourself with what the experts in the field say then talk to the coach about it. If he's knowledgeable you'll pick up on it pretty quickly because he'll give you his opinions and the basis for them. As a coach I'm happy when parents show that they are interested enough in their child's welfare to do a little research and talk to me about it. I talked to our HS coach last year about hitting (no safety issue here). He was honest enough to admit that he doesn't know much about hitting (he's an ex-college pitcher and college pitching coach) and was very receptive to whatever I could tell him.

As I think I've mentioned on this site before, you have the ultimate responsibility for your son's welfare until he's on his own. If the coach is an idiot and likely to overuse him, its up to you to draw the line. It may come down to a decision whether you want your child being abused by a coach or not playing for that coach. I know what my choice would be.