Some thoughts from Eric Cressey. I'll trust his opinion. Has over 100 guys in MLB systems, including Tim Collins from the Royals who just pitched in the World Series.

 

7 Reasons Baseball Pitchers Shouldn't Do Year-Round Throwing Programs - Part 1 | Eric Cressey | High Performance Training, Personal Training

7 Reasons Baseball Pitchers Shouldn't Do Year-Round Throwing Programs - Part 2 | Eric Cressey | High Performance Training, Personal Training

 

For those that don't want to read both parts i'll paste his closing remarks below.

 

Closing Thoughts

 

The lack of downtime from throwing is especially problematic in younger populations, as they are skeletally immature and weaker. I’d argue that a really weak 15-year-old kid throwing 74-76 mph does far more damage to his body on each throw than a moderately strong professional player throwing 90-92 mph, especially given that the pro pitcher’s mechanics are more optimized to protect the arm. This underscores the importance of "syncing up" mechanics, throwing programs, and the overall baseball strength and conditioning program.

 

Last, but certainly not least, remember that two weeks doesn't constitute "time off." Rather, I firmly believe that pitchers need the ball completely out of their hands for at least two month per year, preferably continuously. In other words, eight one-week breaks throughout the year is far from ideal, as it doesn't really allow for positive adaptations to occur.

 

I left out a major part of my answer. NO! I do not believe in year round throwing programs. I believe kids need at least 4 weeks off from picking up a baseball.

I could go on for days but here is the short version. There is a difference between throwing and pitching. I believe kids don't throw enough. I also firmly believe kids need to proper rest, not only between pitching performances but also in the off-season. Throw enough, not pitch.

 

I agree there is a big difference between the two. But the overhead motion, angular velocities and deceleration forces are still very high in non-pitchers as well. While not the same as pitching it is still causing a lot of stress to both the shoulder and elbows of athletes, especially youth athletes.

I agree there is a big difference between the two. But the overhead motion, angular velocities and deceleration forces are still very high in non-pitchers as well. While not the same as pitching it is still causing a lot of stress to both the shoulder and elbows of athletes, especially youth athletes.

 

I have a different opinion of baseball players prior to high school. Still WAY too much development for them. I'm strictly talking about the high school kid. Proper rest and care are a major part of it. But I truly believe you have to throw everyday in season. The only shut down day may be the day after a long outing on the mound. Cressey's deceleration exercises are also a big part of proper care.

 

Of course, any discomfort and you are shut down immediately.

Its Fall baseball, Travel baseball, AAU Basketball that casues all this. Even indoor soccer to an extent.

 

Football is the least sport that trains less than them

Take Lorenzo Cain of the Royals - ALCS MVP, 3 hitter, Center Fielder - for example. The kid is playing professional baseball right now because he got cut from the basketball team as a sophomore and his mother didn't want him to play football.

 

If your kid is good enough, he/she will be found!

 

I work with a guy whose kid is 9 and played right around 100 games this summer, did fall ball, and they are already going to the cages. I don't see how it's helping the kid at this stage in his life.

 

By the time that kid is 13, he will be injured or will become very bored with it. I hate stories like that.

Dr. Andrews released a pitch counter app earlier this year that shows the maximum number of pitches per age and the appropriate amount of rest needed after pitching.

 

Dr. James Andrews behind app aiming to limit Tommy John surgeries - ESPN

 

 

 

Pssshhhhttt.... what does he know???

I miss the days of when a sport was in season, that is what you would play.

 

1000% this, To heck with AAU basketball, or any other club sport. Play what is in season. If the kid dont like the sport that is in season then dont play it and give the body even more rest. Thats just my opnion. Now when school is out and you wannaa play basketball or summer baseball or whatever else then thats the kids decision. All im sayin is whle school is in session play whatever is in season.

Easier said than done. My kid loves basketball and wants to play basketball 24/7. Now in high school he has more access to gym time and goes from gyms to houses to parks to play basketball. He takes his own basketball with him everywhere now. To school, to his moms, to his friend's houses. When he goes to bed he's laying on his back fine tuning his shooting form. How in the world am I supposed to keep him off the court for 2 months when that is where he is going to be at anyways?

 

Am I supposed to say, "sorry Son, I know you were looking forward to playing AAU this summer when not working out with your high school team but Dr. Andrews said you need to rest when you aren't playing with your high school team." He's going to think I'm crazy and then he's going to go to the park or the gym with his big brother and play pick up basketball for 2-3 hours.

 

The wussification of America continues. Always looking to blame something when things go wrong. My college aged kid that plays basketball for his university didn't play year round and his ankles are notoriously weak so we hold our breath every time he hits the deck. Injuries just happen. I don't think there is anything that can be done to stop them. It seems like everyone gets hurt at some time in their athletic career.

I hear you PP92. It will be hard to "make" him put the ball down based on his love for the game. The good news is you are not making him play constantly - he truly loves the game. Can he take some time off at some point in the year (say right after the HS season) - tell him to work on his strength with some weight training for six weeks to give him some time off. Just a suggestion so he gets some time off but is still working to get better...

 

And you are right, if you play hoops long enough, you WILL have an injury.

I hear you PP92. It will be hard to "make" him put the ball down based on his love for the game. The good news is you are not making him play constantly - he truly loves the game. Can he take some time off at some point in the year (say right after the HS season) - tell him to work on his strength with some weight training for six weeks to give him some time off. Just a suggestion so he gets some time off but is still working to get better...

 

And you are right, if you play hoops long enough, you WILL have an injury.

 

He'll be playing 15U next year so he'll probably get about 2-3 weeks off after the season. People talk about AAU but realistically they practice maybe twice a week and they don't play in tournaments every week either so there is still ample time to rest IMO. When cliches are being passed around that say "your opponent is in the gym, what are you doing now" and "hard work beats talent"(my favorite) you aren't going to keep many kids out of the gym. :lol2:

Cliches may be helping to keep YOUR kid in the gym. A lot of kids are in front of the TV and on their computers and cell phones instead of the gym though:)...whole different subject though. Hope he has a good season!

Cliches may be helping to keep YOUR kid in the gym. A lot of kids are in front of the TV and on their computers and cell phones instead of the gym though:)...whole different subject though. Hope he has a good season!

 

Thanks! I'm excited. I just hope he stays healthy.

 

#irony

Easier said than done. My kid loves basketball and wants to play basketball 24/7. Now in high school he has more access to gym time and goes from gyms to houses to parks to play basketball. He takes his own basketball with him everywhere now. To school, to his moms, to his friend's houses. When he goes to bed he's laying on his back fine tuning his shooting form. How in the world am I supposed to keep him off the court for 2 months when that is where he is going to be at anyways?

 

Am I supposed to say, "sorry Son, I know you were looking forward to playing AAU this summer when not working out with your high school team but Dr. Andrews said you need to rest when you aren't playing with your high school team." He's going to think I'm crazy and then he's going to go to the park or the gym with his big brother and play pick up basketball for 2-3 hours.

 

The wussification of America continues. Always looking to blame something when things go wrong. My college aged kid that plays basketball for his university didn't play year round and his ankles are notoriously weak so we hold our breath every time he hits the deck. Injuries just happen. I don't think there is anything that can be done to stop them. It seems like everyone gets hurt at some time in their athletic career.

 

Have him take 4 weeks off and do nothing but weight training. It gives the muscles he repeatedly uses in basketball a different workout and will still help him on the floor. Overuse in basketball takes place when you start seeing the nasty broken legs that likely started from stress fractures. Let those heal and no problems.

 

Although, I believe Dr Andrews main concern is the repeated unnatural motion of throwing a baseball 12 months out of the year.