I don't think they should use a CB at that age, the arm is still way to young. Learn the basics, then once you have matured a bit then let it loose.

 

Agreed.. :thumb:

Sticky is correct, with his thoughts. An offspeed pitch, can be just that... offspeed.

 

A good straight change or circle change, is just as effective and less stress, on the elbow than a curve.

 

Young tendons and rotator cuffs, are not made to handle the stress and damage, from throwing a curve.

Now that we have established that, let's take it a step farther in helping protect a young pitcher's arm.

 

Kid is pitching today, how long and what should be their warmup routine to make sure their arm is ready to pitch?

 

Is there anything they should do after they are done pitching?

Now that we have established that, let's take it a step farther in helping protect a young pitcher's arm.

 

Kid is pitching today, how long and what should be their warmup routine to make sure their arm is ready to pitch?

 

Is there anything they should do after they are done pitching?

I use the throwing program, which helps to strengthen the arm I sent you and pre-game, consists of more band work or loosen the muscles, then combined with long toss program, then 30-35 preparation pitches.

 

Have a coach, monitor and chart the bullpen session and mechanics. After he's done pitching, hang/stretch and light band work, then run to get blood flowing back through body, to help recover quickly. Intake fluids, preferably water for muscle absorption and ice for 20-30 minutes, immediately after running.

 

Good hot shower, then rest....while not sleeping on throwing arm.

I use the throwing program, which helps to strengthen the arm I sent you and pre-game, consists of more band work or loosen the muscles, then combined with long toss program, then 30-35 preparation pitches.

 

Have a coach, monitor and chart the bullpen session and mechanics. After he's done pitching, hang/stretch and light band work, then run to get blood flowing back through body, to help recover quickly. Intake fluids, preferably water for muscle absorption and ice for 20-30 minutes, immediately after running.

 

Good hot shower, then rest....while not sleeping on throwing arm.

 

I like mine "Russian"... :sssh:

you can teach a kid at that age to throw a curve ball, but you want to make sure that number is VERY limited and after the game make sure to ice the elbow and shoulder. Alot of kids dont do this after they pitch which causes a lot of problems

you can teach a kid at that age to throw a curve ball, but you want to make sure that number is VERY limited and after the game make sure to ice the elbow and shoulder. Alot of kids dont do this after they pitch which causes a lot of problems

 

Which is another reason not to allow them to throw it. Most kids and parents don't know how to teach to throw a curve ball the proper way or how to ice the proper way. Just icing doesn't do the trick. One is too many at that age...period. On top of that, the kid is probably going to SS the next day or next inning. Bad idea all around...

Which is another reason not to allow them to throw it. Most kids and parents don't know how to teach to throw a curve ball the proper way or how to ice the proper way. Just icing doesn't do the trick. One is too many at that age...period. On top of that, the kid is probably going to SS the next day or next inning. Bad idea all around...

you've got a good point there....

I think that we try to make our children become to competive at to early an age. Every young sports player is an indivdual what works for one my not work for the next, I feel it is always wise to error on the side of caution. A young player that is in good physical condition can be taught breaking pitches when he is older, we don't have to push them so hard to throw the breaking pitches. No matter what the pitch location, location, location is the key.

Not icing your arm down after pitching would cause more problems than throwing a few curveballs at that age in my opinion. Icing your arm down is a very helpful way to prevent stress on the arm. I always hated icing my arm when I was young, my dad made me do it after every game.

Not icing your arm down after pitching would cause more problems than throwing a few curveballs at that age in my opinion. Icing your arm down is a very helpful way to prevent stress on the arm. I always hated icing my arm when I was young, my dad made me do it after every game.

Understand your point, but throwing a curve and the stress placed on the ulna, ligaments and tendons, is what cause the micro-bleeding and inflammation in arms/shoulders/elbows.

 

Icing is a reduction in damage and swelling, which resulted from throwing and especially CB's. Running afterward, to get the blood circulating and icing, are aids to recovery.

 

The damage, is a result of the arm action.

i would say if you want Tommy John surgery at a young age throw the curve but if you want to pitch your high school career stick with the basics until High School.

I coached baseball for many years and not once did I ever show any of my kids how to throw a curve ball. I used to throw them curve balls for batting practice, so they could learn to hit it.

Great responses, it seems as though we have some responsible adults out there. I have watched select (AABC) and knothole ball for the past 3 years (ages 10 through 13) and have seen a wide range of pitchers hurling more than just fast balls and change ups in both leagues. To be sarcastic about it, I thank those parents, coaches, and big brothers who think it is best for their kids (14 Under) to throw the curve ball because it helps "my kid" at bat. As time rolls on, the theory is (because the pitcher's arm wears out) that "my kid" will swing a bat longer than your kid throws a curve ball and the sooner he sees the curve ball, the better he is prepared for it in the future. Which leads me to the second part of my post... I think there are so many curve balls in a given arm (just like beats of a heart)... does anybody have support for this theory?????

The 12-14 age group is too broad to answer this question in my opinion. I personally think that 14 is fine to start throwing a curve, 12 however is much too young. I started learning how to throw a cb when I was 13, I would only throw it every now and then with my dad in the back yard, by the time I was 14, I had learned to use it pretty well and began throwing it in games. A good curve ball can be deadly against another 14 year old batter.

 

A lot of this has to do with parents pushing their kids too hard. There is no reason to teach an average 12 or 13 (or any age for that matter) pitcher to throw junk pitches when he cant control his fastball yet. If I were a coach of that age group I would limit the teaching of a curve to a couple of my elite pitchers.

 

At that age a good fastball is good enough to win games. Throw in a cut fastball and a changeup and you've got an allstar on the mound. I'd take a young kid with great control over a kid who can throw a bunch of junk pitches everyday of the week.

 

Regardless if the player is an elite pitcher or not, the fact is his arm is not ready for breaking pitches at 14u.

I recommend that parents learn and watch the game and keep pitch count for their own.

My thoughts