Little League is about having fun, learning to be a part of a team and building confidence, so it’s easy to forget that young bodies are not immune to lifelong injuries. With spring baseball and softball leagues starting up, it is a good time to think about what parents can do to help their children avoid a serious injury.
Most injury prevention efforts for youth athletes are focused on single-event injuries, such as a twisted ankle sliding into second base or a stray pitch hitting the batter. The majority of injuries, however, are actually caused by overuse, especially in pitchers.
Unlike other players, the pitcher is involved in every single play, causing them to throw the ball many times more than other positions, and the force with which they throw the ball can be quite powerful.
In both baseball and softball, pitchers send a strong whipping force down their arm when each time they throw a pitch. And after every throw, the muscles grow more fatigued and body mechanics change. Eventually, repeated use and poor mechanics significantly increase the risk of an injury.
Value of pitch counts
To help prevent overuse injuries, youth leagues generally enforce a maximum pitch count that limits the number of pitches a player can throw in a game and gradually increases with age. Unfortunately, the rules do not account for pitches thrown while warming up before a game and are not always enforced during practices. As a parent, you can help your child avoid an injury by helping them understand the importance of limiting the number of pitches they throw.
The type of pitch that is thrown can also affect the risk of injury. Stephen Lyman, PhD., led a study that found throwing curveballs and sliders increased the risk of shoulder pain by 52 and 86 percent, respectively. For younger athletes, many leagues prohibit these pitches, but competitive players may still practice the pitches, which can be dangerous.
When injuries happen
Most overuse injuries are not serious and can be treated by taking a two- to three-day rest from pitching, but serious injuries can occur. If your child does experience pain after throwing, make sure she or he rests for a few days, even if the pain goes away quickly. Icing and elevating the injured arm for 20 minutes a few times a day can also help. If the pain is severe or persists, however, make sure to schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician.
If your child is particularly competitive, you should be on the lookout for signs of discomfort, even when they deny any pain. Ignoring minor pain caused by overuse can lead to a serious, lifelong injury.
Dr. Benjamin Busfield is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist. He is affiliated with Sutter Delta Medical Center and the Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation.