| An ace pitcher is like the golden goose for many | | | | throws more than 100 pitches in a game. This |
| high school baseball teams. He can produce a lot | | | | should be raised as an issue every time this |
| of gold or wins if his team uses him properly. | | | | occurs in a game and voiced to the coaching staff |
| However, over use him and you risk serious | | | | and the other parents. |
| physical injury to him and/or reduction in the | | | | 4. Encourage Staff Development: Coaches and |
| effectiveness in his baseball pitching at the end of | | | | parents can encourage others to pitch for the |
| the season at a time when you need them to be | | | | team. The development of a pitching rotation will |
| at their best. Over the last few years, the issue | | | | decrease the opportunities for pitchers to get high |
| of high pitch counts has come up again and again | | | | pitch counts. The reason is simply that the coach |
| as ace pitchers are used late in the playoffs to | | | | will have the ability to put in other pitchers when |
| play the 1st and 3rd games of a 3 game playoff | | | | the pitch counts start to rise. |
| series. The desire to win seems to override any | | | | 5. Don't rely on players to make a case: Parents |
| concern for the pitcher's health. | | | | cannot rely on their sons to tell the coach when |
| Why is this such a health risk to pitchers? The | | | | they are hurting or have thrown too many |
| baseball throwing motion is an unnatural motion | | | | pitchers. Most competitive high school baseball |
| because you are bringing the arm over the | | | | pitchers will never want to be taken out of a |
| shoulder to throw the baseball. In actuality, an | | | | game. They will be caught up in the prospect of |
| underarm motion is a more natural motion. The | | | | trying to win the game and will risk their health in |
| over-arm motion puts a large amount of strain on | | | | the process. Parents should step in and champion |
| a pitcher's arm. His rotator cuff, elbow, and whole | | | | this case for their kids. |
| bunch of smaller muscles are put under | | | | 6. Treatment During Playoff Runs: High pitch |
| tremendous stress during each pitching outing. | | | | counts tend to become the most significant issue |
| When the pitch counts rise, this creates additional | | | | in the playoffs when teams reduce their pitching |
| strain on these parts which can lead to serious | | | | rotation to put only their best pitchers out there. |
| physical injury. | | | | During this time, parents should make certain |
| The challenging issue is how to best address this | | | | pitchers are taking care of their arms. At the |
| baseball pitching issue. Here, are a few tips to help | | | | very least, pitchers should be icing their arms |
| ensure your pitcher's safety: | | | | after every game and not pitch for the next two |
| 1. Preemptive Strike: Parents should voice their | | | | days when possible. Make you're your team has |
| concern to the coach early in the season about | | | | the appropriate equipment to help sore arms. |
| high pitch counts. Ideally, a coach would already | | | | Proper equipment includes baseball jackets for |
| have his pitchers on pitch counts for their games. | | | | pitchers and ice wraps. Pitchers should be wearing |
| Unfortunately, this is more the exception than the | | | | a jacket over their pitching arm when they are |
| rule. | | | | not pitching. Although these steps will not remove |
| 2. Rally Support: Parents should win public support | | | | the risk of injury, they will help reduce the |
| with the other parents throughout the season to | | | | severity. |
| make it known that the parents as a whole do | | | | Remember high pitch counts are not a situation |
| not support high pitch counts. Essentially, you | | | | that has to be tolerated or even required for |
| want to make it known that winning thru high | | | | good baseball pitching. With a little pre-planning by |
| pitch counts will not be acceptable. | | | | coaches and parents, most high pitch count |
| 3. Create An Arbitrary 100 Pitch Limit: Parents | | | | situations can be avoided or limited. Winning |
| should not let this be a gray area for pitchers. | | | | matters, but it really isn't the most important |
| Parents should voice concerns whenever a pitcher | | | | thing. |