The playbook for protecting your pitcher

Repeatedly throwing a baseball as hard as possible is exhausting, and, if done too often, can be harmful. Following pitching rules, adopting the right workout regimen and allowing time to rest can help prevent a Little League pitcher from getting injured. 1. Follow pitching rules Keeping pitch counts (the number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a game) low is very important for the well-being of a Little League pitcher, says Boston Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine injury prevention specialist Corey Dawkins. “Most young pitchers don’t have good mechanics and as a result they can fatigue quickly,” says Dawkins, who has a Level 2 biomechanics certification from the National Pitching Association (NPA). “Fatigue makes players more likely to get injured — it’s the number one risk factor for pitching injuries, including the torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL).” Little League pitching rules. A torn UCL is one of the most prevalent injuries for baseball pitchers, and it requires a surgery commonly referred to as Tommy John surgery. Dawkins says there are a lot of misconceptions around Tommy John surgery among parents, athletes and individuals working with pitchers. “The common misunderstanding is that surgery allows you to throw faster than before, and that’s not the case. All the medical studies show that, at best, surgery brings the athlete back to their baseline. It’s not going to make the pitcher stronger or faster tha...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Health & Wellness Kids' Safety Division of Sports Medicine Micheli Center Source Type: news