Softball and baseball have become year-round sports for girls and boys. There has also been a major rise the last few years in shoulder and arm injuries. Over-pitching can take kids out of the game they love too early and cause long term problems. Alot of leagues have implemented pitch counts and innings standards, but this is something that should be closely monitored by coaches and parents. Just monitor their behavior and more often than not there will be signs shown by the child that they are tired or straining. Frequent pitching is very stressful on the arm. Determining how many pitches or innings a kid should throw and can handle is very subjective. It is largely based on each kid's physical conditioning and tolerance. (Insert plug for Crossfit Kids) :) However, it is also largely the individual kid's responsibility to speak up and tell the coach if they are hurting. It is hard for a player at any level to admit when they are tired or need to come out, but we should stress to them how important it really is. There is often alot of pressure to win and perform, especially as children get older. We must just always remember that player's safety is of the utmost importance. There is much more to life than just sports or winning a game.
There are a couple very general standards for pitching that have been recommended:
-No more than 100 pitches in one game, on one day or one
workout
-Mandatory pitch count tracking
-Minimum 24 hour rest between a game or workout and the
next game or session
Warm Up
Obstacle Course
Skill
Thrusters
WOD
5 Rounds
10 Thrusters
20 Lunges
