LL pitch count program-now a rule

[bbjunkie]

Little League has made its pitch count program a rule for 2007 season. How do y'all think this will influence the game and will other youth programs follow suit?

Little League Implements New Rule to Protect Pitchers’ Arms
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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Aug. 25, 2006) – Little League Baseball is changing its decades-old pitching rules, making the actual number of pitches delivered the deciding factor in determining eligibility in the baseball division, it was announced today by Stephen D. Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League Baseball and Softball.

Starting with the 2007 season, pitchers in all divisions of Little League, from age 7 to 18, will have specific limits for each game, based on their age. The number of pitches delivered in a game will determine the amount of rest the player must have before pitching again.

“Little League has a rich history of pioneering baseball safety innovations,” Mr. Keener said. “As the world’s largest organized youth sports program, Little League is proud to take a leadership position in youth sports safety.”

There are about 2.3 million players in the baseball divisions of Little League worldwide. There are nearly 400,000 girls softball players, but the new regulations will not apply to softball.

For all of Little League Baseball’s history, and for the history of amateur youth baseball in general, pitching regulations have used innings pitched to determine pitcher eligibility. Recently, researchers and medical professionals in the field of sports medicine have been working to determine if the actual number of pitches thrown (i.e., pitch count) is a safer way to regulate pitching in youth baseball.

Most notable among those calling for pitch counts has been Dr. James R. Andrews, M.D., medical director at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham, Ala. Dr. Andrews is the world’s foremost authority on pitching injuries and ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, or, as it is better known, “Tommy John surgery.” The ASMI and the USA Baseball Medical and Safety Advisory Committee have worked closely with Little League to create the guidelines for the new regulation.

“This is one of the most important injury prevention steps ever initiated in youth baseball by the leader in youth baseball,” Dr. Andrews said. “It is certain to serve as the youth sports injury prevention cornerstone and the inspiration for other youth organizations to take the initiative to get serious about injury prevention in youth sports. I am proud that out American Sports Medicine Institute and USA Baseball can play a small role in this important initiative.”

Little League is the first national youth baseball organization to institute a pitch count. The Little League International Board of Directors approved the measure unanimously at its annual meeting today, two days before the Little League Baseball World Series concludes.

“This is the right time to make this change,” Mr. Keener said. “We call upon all youth baseball organizations, including travel leagues, to implement their own pitch count programs in the interest of protecting young pitching arms. Our goal continues to be to educate everyone, particularly parents and coaches, on the potential injuries that can occur from throwing too many pitches.”

For the past two years, Little League has conducted a Pitch Count Pilot Program to determine the feasibility of implementing a regulation limiting the number of pitches a Little Leaguer can throw in a day, and the rest required before pitching again. Fifty leagues were studied in 2005, and nearly 500 signed up for the program in 2006.

“Surveys of those leagues showed the overwhelming majority were able to implement a pitch count without any problems,” Mr. Keener said. “They also found that they were able to develop other pitchers who might not have otherwise ever taken the mound. And they found that their pitchers were stronger at the end of the season, with less arm pain.”

Previously, Little League pitching regulations limited pitchers (league age 12 and under) to six innings per week (Sunday through Saturday), and six innings per game. The number of innings allowed was increased for older age groups.

The number of pitches allowable under the new regulation is based on the pitcher’s age. Specific rest periods are in place when a pitcher reaches a higher threshold of pitches delivered in a day.

The table below gives an overview of the number of pitches that will be allowed per day for each age group during the regular season in 2007.


League Age Pitches allowed per day
17-18 105
13-16 95
11-12 85
10 and under 75

The rest periods required during the 2007 regular season are listed below.

Pitchers league ages 7 through 16 must adhere to the following rest requirements:

• If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 41 - 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 21 - 40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must beobserved.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before pitching again.

Pitchers league age 17-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:

• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 51 - 75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 26 - 50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must beobserved.
• If a player pitches 1-25 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before pitching again.

“The regulation might be seen as a work in progress,” Mr. Keener said. “As we move forward through the years, the limits may be adjusted as needed. And of course, we will continue to use all means at our disposal to improve the education of managers, coaches and parents.”

Regulations for tournament play (all-stars) will be similar, but with some modifications. Those regulations will be released this fall.

Little League also continues to explore other pitching-related issues, such as the use of breaking pitches.

“While there is no medical evidence to support a ban on breaking pitches, it is widely speculated by medical professionals that it is ill-advised for players under 14 years old to throw breaking pitches,” Mr. Keener said. “Breaking pitches for these ages continues to be strongly discouraged by Little League, and that is an issue we are looking at as well. As with our stance on pitch counts, we will act if and when there is medical evidence to support a change.”

Little League International is beginning a five-year study on breaking pitches by Little League pitchers. The study is being conducted by the University of North Carolina and is supported by the Yawkey Foundation.

[chd66]

Step in the right direction. I 've always had My pitchers on a count, with a +/-5 pitches to finish an inning or get an out. I've seen too many kids grow tired as the season goes on and struggle physically and mentally. They don't understand why their skils are not maintaining /improving. A lot of coaches/dads think it is a badge of honor to go the whole game. If a kid struggles through an inning, he might throw 25-30 pitches. That should count as 2 innings.

We've tried to teach or pitchers (ages 8-12) to throw as few pitches as possible per inning, develop a sinker, and trust the defense. I would much rather watch my kids play in HS and possibly college than win at all costs in little league.

[Jake Patterson]

As with most changes their are plusses and minuses.

The problem I have with Little League pitch count solution is I feel LL is trying to legislate one of the largest problems in LL versus trying to fix it. I contacted LL International some time ago concerning the creation of a train the trainer program. After several attempts it became clear they were not interested in developing anything that would help save arms. Their response was their sanctioned existing program, the AL and Al program.

If we assume the Al and Al program is sufficient training for LL coaches, they have by their own admission (web site) have trained less than 1% of the total number of coaches in the system (approx 150,000). The training they provide is expensive for the average coach and usually requires traveling.

Their is much discussion about the proper way to teach young players how to pitch. How this all washes out will be the basis for interesting discussion. What I do know is their are basic issues when it comes to safety that could be taught throughout the league.

Train don't legislate

[bbjunkie]

The problem I have with Little League pitch count solution is I feel LL is trying to legislate one of the largest problems in LL versus trying to fix it. I contacted LL International some time ago concerning the creation of a train the trainer program. After several attempts it became clear they were not interested in developing anything that would help save arms. Their response was their sanctioned existing program, the AL and Al program.

If we assume the Al and Al program is sufficient training for LL coaches, they have by their own admission (web site) have trained less than 1% of the total number of coaches in the system (approx 150,000). The training they provide is expensive for the average coach and usually requires traveling.

I have tried to find some inexpensive training for coaches for our league without success. Al and Al will come in for training on a district level, but trying to get them for league level training appears to be futile. I approached our DA about it this year and she said she would look into it over the winter. I am not optimistic.

I have most of Al and Al's training material and, frankly, there is little about protection of pitchers' arms in the material. They emphasize training of pitcher responsibiliities and grips for fb, cu and curves, but not safety.

Their is much discussion about the proper way to teach young players how to pitch. How this all washes out will be the basis for interesting discussion. What I do know is their are basic issues when it comes to safety that could be taught throughout the league.

Train don't legislate

Although breaking pitches are suspected to cause pitcher injuries, there is no medical evidence to support that conclusion. As noted in the above article LL is engaging in a 5 year study of breaking pitches. That is a very good idea.

Last year I and couple other people in our LL tried to get the league to participate in the pitch count program. There was a lot of resistance, but a compromise was reached by which we would all monitor the number of pitches thrown by our pitchers until mid season and then participate in the program in the second half of the season. Well, at mid-season that notion was voted down and the season continued under the old inning limitations. The coaches realized that the old practice of relying on two primary pitchers would not work under the program. It will be very interesting to see how the coaches adapt to the program.

I continued to keep pitch counts and saw other teams' pitchers throw up to 150 pitches in a game. I heard of one kid throwing 200 pitches in a game. And, there was frequently no purpose served by this overuse. The games weren't close and the pitchers weren't dominant. A clearly dominant pitcher can complete a 6 inning game with 70-90 pitches. The old notion that a pitcher who couldn't throw a complete a full game wasn't tough enough apparently dictated how much coaches made their kids pitch. Parents I spoke to were largely ignorant of the issues.

That being said, my observation over the years has been that kids don't appear to be injured when pitching on the small LL field, even when they pitch too much. However, when they move up to the big field, the kids who were studs in LL tend to be used too much and be injured. The pattern seems to be that they pitch on more than one team on the 60-90 field. There is, in my opinion, too little monitoring of pitch counts at the higher level, and the coaches expect the kids to continue to show the same kind of dominance they had at the LL level.

[Hawaii]

My vote: pitch counts are a step in the right direction--too many teams use just two pitchers for high % of the workload. Bad enough during season, but even worse at tournaments. At another thread on this forum a few weeks back, a 12 YO was recounting how he pitched 3 full games with great success at a tournament. I PM'd him and congratulated him, and suggested he/his parents get the scorebook of those games and see what his pitch count was. The reply was basically "thanks, but don't worry, my coaches assure me I have perfect mechanics."
Jake, I hear where you are coming from, but I think b/c there are so many "reasons" to overuse the stud pitchers, the legislation was needed. In any event, the surgeons will be able to tell us in 5 years whether the incidence of 12 YO pitcher surgeries is increasing or decreasing.
Tom House has an additional suggestion, made only slightly tongue-in-cheek I think--give the pitch counter/clicker to the mother. The mom is more apt to "pull the plug" even when their son or daughter has the shutout going in the 5th inning.

[Jake Patterson]

I have most of Al and Al's training material and, frankly, there is little about protection of pitchers' arms in the material. They emphasize training of pitcher responsibiliities and grips for fb, cu and curves, but not safety.
Having looked at their program, credentials, and availability I am convinced there is a much better way to do this. Little League has to be the champions here.

There is, in my opinion, too little monitoring of pitch counts at the higher level, and the coaches expect the kids to continue to show the same kind of dominance they had at the LL level.

The problem will be exaserbated by the new rule. Less pitches per game mean more pitchers needed. If we do not train properly - at least the safety aspect- more and more children will be injured. With so many resources avaiable to the Little League I am amazed at their apathy toward a train the trainer program. Teach the coaches how to teach the kids.

[Jake Patterson]

My vote: pitch counts are a step in the right direction--too many teams use just two pitchers for high % of the workload.
I agree - however- I see the pitch count issue similar to our new distracted driving laws here in CT - We can't drive and use a cell phone. The law was meant to reduce the number of accidents due to driver distraction. Didn't work. I saw a cop drive by the other day on the phone.

The pitch count will drive attention to how pitches will be tracked, whose going to track them, how to settle disputes. Before we know it we will have pitch count directors. All energy directed to the wrong problem.

[bbjunkie]

If we do not train properly - at least the safety aspect- more and more children will be injured. With so many resources avaiable to the Little League I am amazed at their apathy toward a train the trainer program. Teach the coaches how to teach the kids.
I think the reluctance to require coach training comes out of the fear that people won't volunteer to coach. In our semi-rural area its hard to find coaches much of the time. The first two years I coached I did so only because no one else would. I was abysmally ignorant of coaching and baseball and it showed on my teams. I've learned a lot since then through my own search for instructional materials, including yours, but most of the rest of the coaches in the league just aren't interested. I've offered to share some of the resources I've found and exactly one (1) coach took me up on the offer. I'm sure most of them will react to the pitch count requirement as more meddling with their teams.

[Jake Patterson]

I think the reluctance to require coach training comes out of the fear that people won't volunteer to coach. In our semi-rural area its hard to find coaches much of the time. The first two years I coached I did so only because no one else would. I was abysmally ignorant of coaching and baseball and it showed on my teams. I've learned a lot since then through my own search for instructional materials, including yours, but most of the rest of the coaches in the league just aren't interested. I've offered to share some of the resources I've found and exactly one (1) coach took me up on the offer. I'm sure most of them will react to the pitch count requirement as more meddling with their teams.

I know exactly how you feel, we were there ten years ago. We also live in a very rural area (7,000 people). 5 years ago we started to enforce manditory attendence to our coaches' clinic. What we found was not only did the level of coaching competence increase, the ability to attract coaches increased. Many who would not normally coach now give it a try knowing there is a support structure available if they falter.

[Hawaii]

I agree - however- I see the pitch count issue similar to our new distracted driving laws here in CT - We can't drive and use a cell phone. The law was meant to reduce the number of accidents due to driver distraction. Didn't work. I saw a cop drive by the other day on the phone.

The pitch count will drive attention to how pitches will be tracked, whose going to track them, how to settle disputes. Before we know it we will have pitch count directors. All energy directed to the wrong problem.

Aloha Jake,
I agree with you on this, I'm just hoping that forcing the use of more pitchers will force better training. Yes, it's reactive, but what options were there for the current generation of youth pitchers? The status quo was going from bad to worse. Reaction (as opposed to proactive) is sometimes better than no action, and I'm hoping for that here.
I sympathize with the folks in small areas who have problems getting coaches at all, but if those coaches won't take the time to learn some basic stuff about arm safety, then a training/proactive approach never had a chance with them anyway.

[bbjunkie]

Less pitches per game mean more pitchers needed. If we do not train properly - at least the safety aspect- more and more children will be injured.
I'm not sure I agree with this. Since most of the injuries come from overuse, limiting the number of pitches should at least partially address it. But, I do agree that there has to be coach training.

What we found was not only did the level of coaching competence increase, the ability to attract coaches increased. Many who would not normally coach now give it a try knowing there is a support structure available if they falter.

That's a very hopeful anecdote. I'll be interested to see if it can be pulled off here.