Blog: How to Prevent Youth Throwing Injuries: Part 1
As spring athletics begin to ramp up, new types of injuries become apparent.
One of the most common injuries amongst youth baseball players is shoulder injuries. The majority of these injuries are sprains/ strains resulting from improper warm-ups or alterations in shoulder mechanics. Ultimately, these alterations can result in more significant injuries like tendinitis, tendinosis, shoulder impingement syndromes, and rotator cuff injuries.
These injuries were rising so quickly before 2007 that Little League Baseball adopted new pitch count and resting day guidelines. It is important for the health of the athlete that these guidelines are followed at home as well as during games and practices.
Little League Baseball 2010 Pitching Guidelines Follow:
Maximum Pitches per Game
| 10 years and younger |
75 pitches per day |
| 11 - 12 years |
85 pitches per day |
| 13 - 16 years |
95 pitches per day |
| 17 - 18 years |
105 pitches per day |
Rest Requirements for Pitchers 14 Years and Younger
|
66 or more pitches in a day |
Four (4) calendar days |
|
51 - 65 pitches in a day |
Three (3) calendar days |
|
36 - 50 pitches in a day |
Two (2)calendar days |
|
21 - 35 pitches in a day |
One (1) calendar day |
|
1-20 pitches in a day |
No (0) calendar days |
Rest Requirements for Pitchers 15 - 18 Years
|
75 or more pitches in a day |
Four (4) calendar days |
|
61 - 75 pitches in a day |
Three (3) calendar days |
|
46 - 60 pitches in a day |
Two (2) calendar days |
|
31 - 45 pitches in a day |
One (1) calendar day |
|
1 - 30 pitches in a day |
No(0) calendar days |
This is a great starting point for preventing shoulder injuries in your youth pitchers and is the first of several blog entries that will discuss shoulder injuries within baseball and softball players. It serves as an introduction to future blogs which will discuss specific stretches and research regarding shoulder injuries and prevention of shoulder injuries.
If you have further questions, check out Team Chiropractic and Rehabilitation. Dr. Nate Hinkeldey would be glad to assist you with your questions and injuries.
