This article discusses the sport of baseball and pitchers. There has been a movement to start a pitch count for younger pitchers to help prevent long-term injuries from occurring. However, not all programs in the nation are agreeing with these programs. What do you think? Should pitch counts be set in place for pitchers in baseball and maybe softball? Or we should not be concerned about this because pitch counts are only used in college and the pros?
Overuse for pitchers can easily occur, with them not having ample rest time and throwing too hard, too often and for long periods of game and practice time. The new rules for some states and leagues have implemented a pitch count to try and "save" and pitchers arm to be resistant toward a major arm injury such as Tommy John, most common baseball injury. Softball however has different underhand mechanics so the form isn't as bad on the joints of the wrist, shoulder and elbow. That being said I would still implement a pitch count for women softball as well because injury to a pitcher can still have overuse and risk of injury. I personally have never played baseball but often see Major League Baseball pitchers getting Tommy John or serious shoulder surgery that keeps them out of play for a entire season. Having a pitch count at a young age of middle schoolers and for all states should be implemented for children and athlete safety. It would be a shame if a young talented athlete started feeling tight, and his coach made him/her pitch consecutive games repeatedly throughout the year until one game that player had a severe arm injury during a game. The fault and blame fall upon the coach and league for not having a pitch count and this could be a detriment for a young player to be at risk for further arm injuries in their future career.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a great idea to try and “regulate” the amount of pitches and innings a pitcher plays because if you only have one star pitcher on a team and have several important games in a row the coaching staff is going to want to have the star pitcher throw a large majority of the innings in a game and if that keeps happening over time starting from a young age up till the end of highschool that athlete is going to eventually run into some issues with overuse and eventually have some type of shoulder, upper arm, forearm, or other type of injury that could have life long effects. I feel as though pitch counts should be in place for our high school and middle school leagues or really any organized league that uses a pitcher should have some type of pitch or innings pitched count to save their players from injury. More so especially in high school since there seems to be such a push to keep our high school athletes safe from short term and long term injuries that would just seem like the logical step to take in my opinion, and of course pitch counts should be used in college and the pros since if they’re playing in college/professional leagues they have been pitching since a early age so even more so then the athletes need protected from overuse injuries.
ReplyDeleteThis article is discussing pitching in baseball and softball, but especially baseball pitchers. This article primarily focuses on young pitchers. The amount of injuries that these athletes encounter is substantial. Researchers would like to decrease these injuries; however, there is not a lot of research done on this topic. So, it is difficult to set a standard on the amount of pitches allowed when there is no evidence to back anything up. Some state have put pitch counts in place in their young athletes, but not for the older pitchers. These pitch counts allow 180 pitches in 10 innings 3 times a week, but there are no regulated rest periods. So, I believe that with further research this method will be critiqued, so the number of injuries will decrease. Personally, I think it is a great idea to inforce a pitch count on younger athletes, as well as the athletes that are in college and the pros. This could help the athletes create good form to reduce injuries, and help the athletes take adequate rest that they need so, they do not over do their arm. Also, this method has no been proven 100% effective yet because there are still a lot of shoulder injuries occurring, but if critiqued it could only help the athlete and not hurt them.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I do feel like there should be a set of rules for all ages no matter what the level of play is. I also feel like these rules should be relatively close to each other because it would be the same for everyone. When starting off young it better to start building muscle but still be aware of the injuries that can occur in their throwing arm. Baseball and softball are known for upper body injuries who tend to be a pitcher just because of the overuse on that arm. Sadly there isn't a lot of research done on this topic but it's something that should be taken care of and realize that this is a serious issue. The rule would still allow the pitcher to throw 180 pitches in a total of 10 innings, or pitch in 3 games in a week with no rest. Also I believe that the parents and especially the coaches should realize that it's better to be safe than sorry because if the pitcher does get seriously hurt and has to get surgery then they'll be out the whole season. I feel that having set rules will also decrease the number of injuries in pitchers.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is a good idea to set limitations on pitch count not only in baseball, but softball too. Though it is a controversial idea and many athletes and even coaches may try to fight it because they don’t want to be taken out of the game after only so many pitches, it is a good way to help limit injuries. Overuse injuries in pitcher occur very often and these injuries tend to happen at a young age, which can limit what they are able to do in the future. That is why these regulations need to be put in place for younger athletes, not just college and pro baseball players. These regulations could help limit the number of overuse injuries that occur in young athletes, allowing then for longer, better playing years. I think this should also include softball, even though they have a different throwing mechanism that does not result is in as many overuse injuries, softball players can still have severe injuries to arm including the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. It is better to limit the number of pitches a person can throw then have them injured for the rest of the season or even the rest of their lives. It’s worth sitting out every once in while.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, athletes are pushed to exceed limits for optimal performance. In baseball and softball, the pitcher is the main focal point that can really make or break a team. Many times, coaches overuse their ace, or best pitcher, because the best results usually come when they are in play. Pitch count is very important for both statistical wise and physical health wise. Statistical wise, a high pitch count could indicate lack of being able to get ahead early in the count, and help show what needs to be worked on. In regards to physical health, pitch count is important because it helps limit the amount of strain one puts on their arm. I have always been exposed to the effects of overuse because I have been playing softball and pitching for as long as i can remember. Baseball pitchers are definitely taken care of more than softball pitchers, but I do believe that underhand throwing is more of a “natural” motion compared to overhand. My brother pitches for the University of Louisville, and he has been using pitch counts since middle school, whereas I just began using it my first year of college. During the recruitment process for my brother, schools tended to look at the more northern states for players because they are forced to rest more in the off season because it is too cold outside to participate. In the south they are able to play year round, which makes them more susceptible to overuse injuries and becoming burnt out. At the division one college level, there is a lot more focus on proper conditioning, plenty of recovery time, and overall health and well being of the athletes. Yes the effects of pitching and soreness are felt more when you’re older, but taking care of your body should be done at any and all ages. If the remedies being used at the college level were implemented throughout the whole process of growing up playing baseball or softball, I think there would be much less overuse injuries, less people getting burnt out on the sport, and healthier athletes overall.
ReplyDeleteI think it is necessary to have pitching regulations for pitchers playing both softball and baseball. At young ages, normally there are only a couple of kids that can pitch which causes one kid to pitch a lot. This however is not right, and can hurt the kid in the long run. I know my sister plays softball and there is regulations for her school pitching but not for her travel league. This is an improvement though, because when I played, we didn't have any regulations in school ball and pitched the best pitcher every game. Even though mechanics associated with overhand releases are more harmful than underhand releases, there still should be regulations for softball pitchers. There have been some steps taken to help with regulations that the article talks about. Many states are adopting pitch counts that also require rest periods, while other states only have rules for postseason play. In my opinion there needs to be regulation rules for both baseball and softball especially at the younger ages. Injury at the younger age will cause problems for the kid later on in life and may affect his/her athletic career. Teaching kids at young ages the proper techniques of warming up and stretching, will also help prevent injury now and in the future too.
ReplyDeleteAs a baseball pitcher myself I think a pitch count is a great idea for not only older adults, but also in young pitchers too. Pitching can take a great toll on an individual’s shoulder and elbow, and although some might disagree I think pitch counts and mandatory rest days should be required. During my senior year of high school Ohio introduced the new pitch count rule and my arm never felt better with getting the rest it needed. I believe having that rule helped prevent injuries from occurring and allowing me to throw my best every single game. I remember in high school and little league I threw almost every other game for my team whether it was starting or coming in relief, and as a kid I think that is a reason I had trouble with my arm throughout high school, getting some strains and lots of soreness. All a pitch count rule can do is allow a young athlete some rest and a healthier arm for the future. Also, for younger kids it gives more of the players the ability to show their pitching talents and not have the team rely on one or two pitchers to throw every game.
ReplyDeleteI think all programs should join the movement to start a pitch count for younger pitchers to help prevent long-term injuries. If an athlete is throwing to hard or early on without proper rest an injury to that throwing arm could become an issue. With some awareness being brought out from organizations to decrease these injuries in adolescent pitchers, there is large numbers shown in high school arm injuries. Even though some researchers are saying there is little evidence supporting that overuse is what making these baseball or softball more susceptible to injuries. And because of this it leads some people to think there’s no need for pitch counts on adolescent pitchers. But if there isn’t any proof one way or another I don’t see why it would be a bad idea for everyone to implement this just to take precaution and try to reserve some of these kid’s arms. I think by doing this shows more of a stride in trying to protect athlete’s worldwide. While in making the effort to take a stance and restrict the lower levels a little but it is also mandatory for days of rest which is sometimes forgotten. Also I think it helps to the little things in this case to try and prevent injuries by doing proper warm ups, good control and mechanics.
ReplyDeleteBaseball and softball are both one of the most popular sports, especially starting out at a young age. However, there are issues that come to the certain positions that could rise to overuse injuries and maybe even worse injuries as well. Because of this, there are precautions that are being taken to make sure that injuries that plague these individuals are diminished. Both education and awareness are being increased in the idea that this can actually occur at such a young age. This article talks about different ways to diminish injury in these athletes. Many states are now starting to implement required rest periods to give pitchers a break from pitching from so long in a row. There are many different injuries that could occur to a pitcher depending on the technique, power, and how frequently he is throwing all effect the factor of the likelihood of having an injury occurring to the throwing arm. Injuries can give rise in the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist. That is a very large area that could have the potential of actual injury. This is very hard to determine “how much” is too much. This is why researchers are using the term of “Gray Area” to describe this. This may be in the works at the moment, however it is in the process of helping diminish the risks of these injuries.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to baseball and softball you go into it as a kid thinking it is just a fun game, which it is, but you don’t think about all of the problems that come with it as you continue to play over the years. When you’re young you have nothing to worry about but to make sure you make it to the bases but once you actually move up into leagues that you have to actually start practicing more and more to keep up with the competition. When the athletes train constantly you have to worry about everyone but especially the pitcher, the pitcher has a lot more risk of getting hurt with shoulder problems which moves us onto the argument on if when kids start out playing baseball they should have a pitch count to help stop shoulder injuries in baseball and softball athletes. I believe that we should start kids out with pitch counts because it helps them protect their shoulders from injuries and allows them to hopefully play for more years than other athletes who cannot play because of injuries caused by over pitching. When it comes to scientific evidence, there is none for the idea of the recommended pitch counts. One of the main arguments against overuse of that motion causing injuries is that the athletes come into that sport with that weak or genetically injured shoulder. In conclusion, all baseball and softball athletes should have a pitch count especially if they are going to be pitching for many years.
ReplyDeleteIt would be good to have some set guidelines to follow for how much one athlete should be allowed to pitch in both softball and baseball, no matter the age of the athlete or league/program he or she plays for. Overuse and the constant repetitive pitching put athletes at major risk for shoulder injuries, and they also put them at risk for long-term injuries as well. Coming from the healthcare prospective, I understand that every athlete wants to keep playing and that every coach will want their player on the field, but I believe that if there is something we can so to prevent an injury we should try it. Counting pitches seems to be an easy model of injury prevention. While it might mean that a pitcher can only play maybe eight innings in a game, it can mean that he is able to pitch for years to come. On the other hand, I have to admit that even after reading this article, I feel like I know almost nothing about either sport so it’s hard for me to see why anyone wouldn’t want to implement this. From what I was able to gather, some programs believe that there isn’t enough evidence to support it. I’m going to call that out because it’s very simple to say that if you limit overuse, you lower risk of injury from overuse. I wish that the article had included the opinions of several pitchers so that I could’ve gotten their perspective. Without it, I’m just going to say that it seems like a simple solution to a rising problem.
ReplyDeleteFrom knowing a lot of baseball players and hearing about how pitchers are overused in games and things by coaches with many negative responses from those players. I feel that putting restrictions on the athletes is a very good idea. The athlete should not be able to throw in an absurd amount of games with no rest. That is just asking for injury and that isn't smart to do because then you are down that staple player. I feel like this should be almost as popular a subject as soccer and ACL tears. It seems to me that being overworked or having a predisposition of being a female soccer player and being a baseball pitcher that never gets a break and pitches constantly with no recovery is a simple concept to understand that it’s not going to be healthy. But as we can see through history we are not very good at paying attention at what would be best when you are getting amazing results. I think that there should be a portion of the area who plays baseball should be observed and a part of a study for this so that there can be more sound results. I am not sure if you can get better results other than trying to test theories and get feedback from players.
ReplyDeleteFrom being a previous baseball player up until my senior year of high school and being a former pitcher I know and understand this issue a lot, and I am all for pitch count and the rest that comes with a certain amount of pitches. In the day and age we live in now younger level sports have become more competitive and are improving every year, but with this, this means kids are training longer and harder and are trying to be the best at the earliest age they can which can lead to injuries. With pitching it is dangerous because after years of playing your going to have wear and tear on your arm especially in the arm and elbow but there are ways to prevent it from happening at an early age, one way is every state implementing this pitch count so that no one kids are is being over used, another way is teaching proper form for pitching at a young age, and not letting young children try and throw difficult pitches such as a curve ball, which if thrown improper can cause serious problems in the elbow. I know from experience before the pitch count was implemented in Michigan I would pitch 3 games a week at least 4 innings each of those games usually more, and my arm would really feel it after. It was not until my senior year the count came in, and with it I could feel a difference in how my arm felt after games and the next time I pitched because it got the proper amount of rest in needed, before being used again.
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