Click Here To Subscribe To The 
  FREE LINE DRIVES Newsletter 

 

"How Many Pitches Should I Allow My Child to Throw?"

James R. Andrews, M.D. and Glenn Fleisig, Ph.D.

American Sports Medicine Institute     February 12, 1996

 

 

"How Many Pitches Should I Allow My Child to Throw?" This is the most common question asked to sports medicine professionals by parents of youth baseball players. The question really is how many pitches can a child throw without injuring the throwing arm. Organized leagues have shared this concern for several years; as a result, most youth leagues limit the number of innings a child may pitch (Tables 1 and 2). However, most people now believe that limits should be placed on the number of pitches, rather than the number of innings.

To determine recommendations, USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee commissioned the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) to study pitch limits in youth baseball. ASMI sent surveys to 85 baseball experts, consisting of orthopedic surgeons and coaches, about pitch limits and other injury factors. Twenty-eight of these experts responded.

Results from the survey are shown in Tables 3 - 6.

Table 3 shows the maximum number of pitches recommended per game and per week. The large "standard deviations" reflect large variation in opinion among those surveyed. The recommended minimum number of pitches corresponding to 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, or 4-day rest requirements are shown in Table 4. For example, if an 8-year-old pitcher throws at least 21 pitches in a game, the survey recommends that he should be required to rest at least one day; if he throws 34 or more pitches in a game, he should be required to rest two days.

Several respondents commented on the concept and definition of rest. Issues such as whether a child should pitch at home or play different positions in games during the "rest period" was discussed. Some felt that youth pitchers throw too many total throws, while others felt that children today don't throw enough. ASMI supports the belief that, in general, youth baseball players in the United States do not throw enough. While young pitchers should be given adequate rest after pitching in competition, they should also be encouraged to throw in other settings (playing other positions, playing catch with parent or friends, practicing pitching, etc.). 

Throwing is necessary for a young pitcher to strengthen his/her arm and body. Common sense and listening to the pitcher for complaints of discomfort or fatigue can greatly help the coach or parent decide the right amount of rest and practice needed.

Opinions and comments on other safety-related issues in youth baseball were asked. Results are presented in Table 5. Many respondents commented that the quality of the pitcher's mechanics is an important injury factor. The importance of strength training was also mentioned. Table 6 shows the recommended age for pitchers to begin throwing various types of pitches.

Because these results were based upon opinions and not observational data, their significance should be interpreted with caution. The small sample size of survey participants (N=28) must also be considered. Based upon this survey, the following conclusions may be drawn:

• Number of pitches is more important than number of innings when determining rest requirements

• The maximum number of pitches allowed in one outing should increase with age.

• A pitcher should be limited to two appearances per week.

• Compared to younger pitchers, older pitchers can throw a few more pitches for a given number of days rest.

• Participation in multiple leagues, playing other positions, and practice pitching should be considered when defining
  and regulating rest.

• Breakaway bases should be used.

• In general, a child can start throwing a fastball at age 8, a change-up at 10, and a curveball at 14. All other pitches
  should not be introduced until high school age.

• Improper technique is a major factor in injury potential.

• Conditioning of the throwing arm and entire body can reduce a young pitcher's risk of injury.

• While the number of pitches should be limited, the young athlete should be encouraged to throw. This includes
   playing catch, playing other positions besides pitcher, and practicing pitching. When symptoms of arm
   discomfort or fatigue arise, longer periods of rest are recommended.

These conclusions and recommendations are based upon the opinions of baseball and medical experts. However, the great variation in opinions collected indicate the need for more facts. USA Baseball and ASMI plan to study pitching in youth baseball and measure the number of pitches thrown, types of pitches thrown, pitching mechanics used, and other factors of interest. How these factors affect the risk of injury can then be determined.

Table 1. Inning limits currently used in youth baseball

AGE MAXIMUM  INNINGS/GAME MAXIMUM  INNINGS/WEEK
 

         Little League     Pony     Dixie Youth     American Legion

    Little League    Pony    Dixie Youth    American Legion
8-10 

              3             6             6

          6             6            6
11-12

              7        unlimited      6

          10            6            6
13-14

              7        unlimited      9 

          10            9           10
15-16

              7        unlimited     10                 12

          10            9           14                 12
17-18

              9        unlimited                          12

     Unlimited      9                                12

 
 Table 2. Rest currently required in youth baseball

AGE INNINGS/APPEARANCE REST
 

 

Little League     Pony     Dixie Youth

 8-10 

Less than 3
3
4 or more

                 0                   0                0
          40 Hours          1 Day         1 Day
          40 Hours          3 Days       3 Days
11-12

Less than 3
3
4 or more

               0                   0                0
          40 Hours        1 Day         1 Day
          40 Hours        3 Days       3 Days
13-14

Less than 4
4
5 or more

               0                   0                0
          40 Hours        1 Day      40 Hours
                                 3 Days        
15-16

Less than 4
4
5 or more

              0                   0                0
          40 Hours        1 Day      40 Hours
                                 3 Days 
17-18

Less than 4
4
5 or more

             0                   0                0
          40 Hours        1 Day      40 Hours
                                 3 Days 


Table 3. Maximum Number of Pitches Recommended
(Mean +/- Standard Deviation)

AGE MAXIMUM PITCHES/GAME MAXIMUM GAMES/WEEK
8 - 10 52 +/- 15 2 +/- 0.6
11 - 12 68 +/- 18 2 +/- 0.5
13 - 14 76 +/- 16 2 +/- 0.4
15 - 16 91 +/- 16 2 +/- 0.4
17 - 18 106 +/- 16 2 +/- 0.6


Table 4. Minimum Number of Pitches Thrown That Should Require Specified Rest
(Mean +/- Standard Deviation)

AGE 1 DAY REST 2 DAY REST 3 DAY REST 4 DAY REST
8 - 10 21 +/- 18 34 +/- 16 43 +/- 16 51 +/- 19
11 - 12 27 +/- 20 35 +/- 20 55 +/- 23 58 +/- 18
13 - 14 30 +/- 22 36 +/- 21 56 +/- 20 70 +/- 20
15 - 16 25 +/- 20 38 +/- 23 62 +/- 23 77 +/- 20
17 - 18 27 +/- 22 45 +/- 25 62 +/- 21 89 +/- 22


Table 5. Other Safety Issues

Should face shields for batters be required?

Yes: 46%

No: 29%

Maybe: 25%

Should softer baseballs be used?

Yes: 21%

No: 43%

Maybe: 36%

Should breakaway bases be used?

Yes: 86%

No: 7%

Maybe: 7%

Should chest protectors for batters be used?

Yes: 14%

No: 43%

Maybe: 43%

Table 6. Age (in Years) Recommendation For Learning Various Pitches

Fastball: 8 ± 2

Change-up: 10 ± 3

Curve ball: 14 ± 2

Knuckle ball: 15 ± 3

Slider: 16 ± 2

Fork ball: 16 ± 2

Screw ball: 17 ± 2

[NOTE:  the following is some additional information from USA Baseball and their recommendations on placing limits on youth baseball pitchers.]

 

USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee
Position Statement on Youth Baseball Injuries
Updated: May 2004

 

 

Year-Round Baseball

In certain parts of warm-weather states (Florida, Texas, California, etc.) baseball leagues are available in all seasons. However, the principle of periodization states that an athlete should have different periods and activities in his annual conditioning schedule. Specifically, baseball pitchers need a period of "active rest" after their season ends and before the next preseason begins. During active rest a pitcher is encouraged to participate in physical activities that do not include a great amount of overhand throwing.

Recommendations

Based upon its expertise and review of existing studies, the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee makes the following recommendations for minimizing a pitcher's risk of future serious arm injury and maximizing his chance of success

· Coaches and parents should listen and react appropriately to a youth pitcher when he/she complains about arm pain. A pitcher who complains or shows signs of arm pain during a game should be removed immediately from pitching. Parents should seek medical attention if pain is not relieved within four days or if the pain recurs immediately the next time the player pitches. League officials should inform parents about this consideration.

· Pitch counts should be monitored and regulated in youth baseball. Recommended limits for youth pitchers are as follows:

9-10 year old pitchers
50 pitches per game
75 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
2000 pitches per year

11-12 year old pitchers
75 pitches per game
100 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
3000 pitches per year

13-14 year old pitchers
75 pitches per game
125 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
3000 pitches per year

Pitch count limits pertain to pitches thrown in games only. These limits do not include throws from other positions, instructional pitching during practice sessions, and throwing drills, which are important for the development of technique and strength. Backyard pitching practice after a pitched game is strongly discouraged.

· Pitchers should not throw breaking pitches (curveballs, sliders, etc.) in competition until their bones have matured (indicated by puberty) - typically about 13 years of age. In order to succeed, a youth pitcher should focus on good mechanics, a fast fastball, a good change-up, and good control.

· Pitchers should develop proper mechanics as early as possible and include more year-round physical conditioning as their body develops.

· It should be discouraged for a pitcher to return to the mound in a game once he/she has been removed as the pitcher.

· Baseball players - especially pitchers - are discouraged from participating in showcases due to the risk of injury. The importance of "showcases" should be de-emphasized, and at the least, pitchers should be permitted time to appropriately prepare.

· Baseball pitchers are discouraged from pitching for more than one team in a given season.

· Baseball pitchers should compete in baseball no more than nine months in any given year, as periodization is needed to give the pitcher's body time to rest and recover. For at least three months a year, a baseball pitcher should not play any baseball, participate in throwing drills, or participate in other stressful overhead activities (javelin throwing, football quarterback, softball, competitive swimming, etc.).

References

Andrews JR, Chmielewski T, Escamilla RF, Fleisig GS, Wilk KE. Conditioning program for professional baseball pitchers. American Sports Medicine Institute, Birmingham, AL, 1997.

Andrews JR, Fleisig GS. How many pitches should I allow my child to throw? USA Baseball News April, 1996
Fleisig GS, Barrentine SW, Zheng N, Escamilla RF, Andrews JR. Kinematic and kinetic comparison of baseball pitching among various levels of development. Journal of Biomechanics 32(12):1371-1375, 1999.

Lyman S, Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Osinski ED. Effect of pitch type, pitch count, and pitching mechanics on risk of elbow and shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 30(4):463-468, 2002.

Additional publications and research findings available at www.asmi.org