LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL “PITCH COUNT”
Over the last three decades, baseball has seen a growing number of injuries.
Pitchers, having one of the hardest jobs in the league, are expected to throw an average of 146 pitches per game — a number which has been increasing since 1988. A repetitive motion such as pitching can lead to significant overuse injuries such as rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder bursitis, labral tears and elbow tendonitis. In the MLB, “relief” pitchers can help teams rest their “starters” — prolonging their careers, while helping win games tactically.
In efforts to reduce injury in baseball, the MLB recently formed the Major League Baseball Research Subcommittee, in association with high-profile orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Andrews. “Major League Baseball team doctors and trainers make up the research subcommittee,” he said. “They want to put emphasis behind prevention in youth baseball, and maybe everybody will listen.”
Dr. Andrews has noticed a tenfold increase in injury in youth baseball since 2000. Andrews said the number of young players, particularly pitchers, who have had to have Tommy John surgery is “an epidemic” — which has raised concerns in the sports medicine world. The use of pitch counts has become more important and mandatory for baseball organizations across the globe.
What is Pitch Count?
Statistically-speaking, pitch count is the number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a game. In order to prevent injury, pitch counts have been established for each age group, allowing older players to throw more than their younger counterparts — though this does vary between states and countries.
According to Baseball Ontario a new set of rules were established in 2008, designed to help protect our young players.
Age Levels and Respective Rules
1) Minor & Major Mosquito (10-11 years old)
- Pitch Count: More than 45 up to 70 pitches
- Trips to the Mound: Unlimited unless it is meant to delay the game, then disallowed; once removed cannot pitch again in that game
- Restrictions: May not pitch on 3 consecutive calendar days. May not pitch and catch in same game.
2) Minor & Major Peewee (12-13 years old)
- Pitch Count: More than 55 up to 80 pitches
- Trips to the Mound: Third trip – same pitcher/same inning, removal from the pitching position; once removed cannot pitch again in that game
- Restrictions: May not pitch on 3 consecutive calendar days. May not pitch and catch in same game.
3) Minor & Major Bantam (14-15 years old)
- Pitch Count: More than 65 up to 90 pitches
- Trips to the Mound: Second trip – same pitcher/same inning, removal from the pitching position; once removed cannot pitch again in that game
- Restrictions: May not pitch on 3 consecutive calendar days.
4) Minor & Major Midget, Women (16-18 years old)
- Pitch Count: More than 75 up to 100 pitches
- Trips to the Mound: Second trip – same pitcher/same inning, removal from the pitching position; once removed cannot pitch again in that game
- Restrictions: None
Physiotherapist Kevin Wilk has teamed up with Dr. James Andrews in the development of an app named “Throw Like A Pro”. This app, coming soon, will feature elements based on data and input from the research group. The “Throw Like A Pro” app includes the following features:
- pre-season preparation guide
- pre-game warm-up routine
- video instruction of various throwing exercises
- tips on how to avoid common throwing errors
- recommendations from the American Sports Medicine Institute
- pitch counter and rest calculator
With baseball season in full swing, please help monitor our young athletes for a more healthy and injury-free summer! For more information, please feel free to email us at contact@kickphysio.ca.