Opening of the Season: Little League Baseball Pro and Con

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-341
Author(s):  
Harold M. Maller
Keyword(s):  
Little League ◽  
Arm Injuries ◽  
Baseball Pitchers ◽  
February Issue

Drs. Torg et al. have thrown us a curve with their article in the February issue of Pediatrics on arm injuries in young baseball pitchers. Having referred to "the effect of competitive pitching" in their title, they have proceeded to discuss a group of boys who, they would have us believe, played baseball "for the sake of recreation rather than competition." If one could imagine that such a group of boys had been found, then the authors have failed to investigate what they claim to have investigated.

Biomechanics of the Shoulder in Youth Baseball Pitchers

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 1716-1722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle B. Sabick ◽  
Young-Kyu Kim ◽  
Michael R. Torry ◽  
Michael A. Keirns ◽  
Richard J. Hawkins
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Pitching Motion ◽  
Little League ◽  
Youth Baseball ◽  
Shoulder External Rotation ◽  
Baseball Pitchers ◽  
Force Components ◽  
Simulated Game ◽  
Distraction Force

Background The effects of repetitive throwing on the shoulders of developing athletes are not well understood because of the paucity of data describing the biomechanics of youth pitchers and the plasticity of the developing skeleton. Hypothesis The direction and magnitude of the stresses that exist at the proximal humeral physis during the fastball pitching motion are consistent with the development of proximal humeral epiphysiolysis (Little League shoulder) and/or humeral retrotorsion. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods A total of 14 elite youth baseball pitchers (mean age, 12.1 ± 0.4 years) were filmed from the front and dominant side while throwing fastballs in a simulated game. The net force and torque acting on the humerus throughout the throwing motion were calculated using standard biomechanical techniques. Results The external rotation torque about the long axis of the humerus reached a peak value of 17.7 ± 3.5 N.m (2.7% ± 0.3% body weight × height) just before maximum shoulder external rotation. A shoulder distraction force of 214.7 ± 47.2 N (49.8% ± 8.3% body weight) occurred at, or just after, ball release. Conclusion Shear stress arising from the high torque late in the arm-cocking phase is large enough to lead to deformation of the weak proximal humeral epiphyseal cartilage, causing either humeral retrotorsion or proximal humeral epiphysiolysis over time. The stresses generated by the external rotation torque are much greater than those caused by distraction forces generated during the pitching motion of youth baseball pitchers. Clinical Relevance The motion of throwing fastballs by youth baseball pitchers results in force components consistent with proposed mechanisms for 2 clinical entities.

scholarly journals Glenohumeral Rotational Motion and Strength and Baseball Pitching Biomechanics

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy J. Hurd ◽  
Kenton R. Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Internal Rotation ◽  
Rotational Motion ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Shoulder Range Of Motion ◽  
Arm Injuries ◽  
Baseball Pitchers ◽  
Clinical Measures ◽  
Insight Into

Context: Addressing loss of shoulder range of motion and rotator cuff weakness in injury-prevention programs might be an effective strategy for preventing throwing arm injuries in baseball pitchers. However, the influence of these clinical measures on pitching biomechanics is unclear. Objective: To evaluate the relationships among clinical measures of shoulder rotational motion and strength and 3-dimensional pitching biomechanics and to evaluate the presence of coupling between the shoulder and the elbow during pitching to provide insight into the influence of clinical shoulder characteristics on elbow biomechanics. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 27 uninjured male high school baseball pitchers (age  =  16 ± 1.1 years, height  =  183 ± 7 cm, mass  =  83 ± 12 kg). Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical measures included shoulder internal- and external-rotation range of motion and peak isometric internal- and external-rotator strength. Three-dimensional upper extremity biomechanics were assessed as participants threw from an indoor pitching mound to a target at regulation distance. Linear regressions were used to assess the influence of clinical measures on the peak shoulder internal and external rotation moments and the peak elbow-adduction moment. Results: We found a positive relationship between clinically measured internal-rotator strength and shoulder external-rotation moment (R2  =  0.181, P  =  .04) during pitching. We also noted an inverse relationship between clinically measured external-rotation motion and the elbow-adduction moment (R2  =  0.160, P  =  .04) and shoulder internal-rotation moment (R2  =  0.250, P  =  .008) during pitching. We found a positive relationship between peak shoulder internal-rotation moment and the peak elbow-adduction moment (R2  =  0.815, P < .001) during pitching. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the effects of shoulder strength and motion on pitching biomechanics and how these clinical measures might contribute to throwing arm injuries in the baseball pitcher. A relationship also was identified between peak shoulder and elbow moments in the throwing arm during pitching, providing biomechanical support for addressing clinical shoulder characteristics as a potential strategy for preventing elbow injury.

Associations between Years of Pitching Experience and Injury Precursors in a Cohort of Little League Baseball Pitchers

2010 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
Johna K. Register-Mihalik ◽  
Sakiko Oyama ◽  
Stephen W. Marshall ◽  
Frederick O. Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Little League ◽  
Baseball Pitchers

Current Workload Recommendations in Baseball Pitchers: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 229-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil K. Bakshi ◽  
Paul M. Inclan ◽  
Jacob M. Kirsch ◽  
Asheesh Bedi ◽  
Cristine Agresta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Little League ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Baseball Pitchers

Background: Several recommendations have been made regarding pitch counts and workload for baseball players of different levels, including Little League, high school, collegiate, and professional baseball. However, little consensus is found in the literature regarding the scientific basis for many of these recommendations. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence regarding immediate and long-term musculoskeletal responses to increasing pitching workload in baseball pitchers of all levels. A secondary purpose of this review was to evaluate the extent to which workload influences injury and/or performance in baseball pitchers. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: We performed a systematic search in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for studies addressing physiologic and/or pathologic musculoskeletal changes in response to a quantifiable pitching workload. We included studies examining the effects of pitching workload on performance, injury rate, and musculoskeletal changes in Little League, high school, collegiate, and professional baseball players. Results: We identified 28 studies that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria: 16 studies regarding Little League and high school pitchers and 12 studies regarding collegiate and professional pitchers. The current evidence presented suggests that increased pitching workload may be associated with an increased risk of pain, injury, and arm fatigue in Little League and high school pitchers. However, little consensus was found in the literature regarding the association between pitching workload and physiologic or pathologic changes in collegiate and professional pitchers. Conclusion: Evidence, although limited, suggests the use of pitch counts to decrease injury rates and pain in Little League and high school baseball pitchers. However, further research must be performed to determine the appropriate number of pitches (or throws) for players of different ages. This systematic review reported conflicting evidence regarding the use of pitch counts in college and professional baseball. Future high-quality research is required to determine the role, if any, of pitch counts for collegiate and professional pitchers.

scholarly journals Generalized Joint Hyper Mobility is not Associated with the Development of Overuse Arm Injuries in Adolescent Baseball Pitchers

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (7_suppl6) ◽  
pp. 2325967117S0037
Author(s):  
John M. Tokish ◽  
Ellen Shanley ◽  
Lane Brooks Bailey ◽  
Michael J. Kissenberth ◽  
Wayne F. Sease ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arm Injuries ◽  
Baseball Pitchers

scholarly journals A small number of daily pitches induces shoulder and elbow injuries among high school baseball pitchers: a prospective study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Shitara ◽  
Tsuyoshi Tajika ◽  
Takuro Kuboi ◽  
Tsuyoshi Ichinose ◽  
Tsuyoshi Sasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
High School ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Arm Injuries ◽  
Elbow Injuries ◽  
Full Power ◽  
Baseball Pitchers ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractBaseball players frequently injure their shoulders and elbows. Preseason risk factors for such injuries have been relatively well studied, but in-season risk factors are less known, and the relationship between the number of pitches and the incidence of such injuries in baseball pitchers of any level is unclear. Identifying the risk factors related to the number of daily pitches is particularly important to prevent baseball-related arm injuries among young pitchers. Thus, we prospectively investigated the relationship between the number of daily full-power pitches in high school baseball pitchers and the incidence of shoulder and elbow injuries. We observed that a small number of daily full-power pitches, < 30 pitches per day, in high school baseball pitchers, significantly increased the risk of shoulder and elbow injuries: these players had a 2.3-times greater risk of injuries and a 45-day earlier occurrence of injuries than those pitching ≥ 30 pitches per day. Although unexpected, this was plausible as continuous daily pitching is required to maintain physical condition in growing and maturing high school pitchers. These findings may form the basis for establishing guidelines regarding the appropriate number of daily pitches required to prevent shoulder and elbow injuries in high school baseball pitchers.

Shoulder External Rotational Properties During Physical Examination Are Associated With Injury That Requires Surgery and Shoulder Joint Loading During Baseball Pitching

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110398
Author(s):  
Hannah Stokes ◽  
Koco Eaton ◽  
Naiquan (Nigel) Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Physical Examination ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Internal Rotation ◽  
Shoulder Joint ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Joint Loading ◽  
Arm Injuries ◽  
Shoulder External Rotation ◽  
Baseball Pitchers ◽  
Shoulder Flexibility

Background: Throwing arm injuries are common because of the demand on the shoulder. The shoulder is qualitatively checked regularly by team physicians. Excessive instability and joint loading in baseball pitching are risk factors for throwing arm injuries. Knowledge of shoulder flexibility, range of motion, and joint loading may provide new insights for treatments to reduce the likelihood of injury incidence. Purpose: To investigate the relationship among injuries, shoulder external rotational properties, and shoulder joint loading in baseball pitchers. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Pitching kinetics, shoulder rotational tests, and self-reported injury questionnaires were used to study 177 collegiate baseball pitchers. Pitching motion data were collected at 240 Hz using a motion capture system. A custom program calculated the shoulder joint loading. The shoulder rotational test quantitatively records shoulder range of motion and flexibility using a custom-made wireless device. Self-reported injury questionnaires were filled out during tests and yearly follow-ups. The total length of the study was 5 years. Analysis of variance, chi-square, and regression tests were performed to compare differences among groups and detect correlations with surgery and shoulder joint loadings. Results: There were significant differences in shoulder flexibility among surgery groups. Shoulder external rotational properties during physical examination were significantly associated with shoulder joint loading in baseball pitching. High shoulder external rotation was associated with 14% to 36% lower shoulder posterior force and adduction, internal rotation, and horizontal adduction torque ( P < .05). High shoulder flexibility was associated with 13% higher anterior force ( P < .05). High shoulder external rotation before external rotation torque was applied was associated with 13% to 33% lower shoulder inferior force and adduction, internal rotation, and horizontal adduction torque ( P < .05). There were no significant differences in shoulder joint loading among the surgery groups. Conclusion: Shoulder injuries that require surgery were associated with shoulder external rotation flexibility. High shoulder external rotation may be advantageous because it lowers the force and torque on the shoulder joint. Clinical Relevance: The ability to understand shoulder external rotational properties, joint loading, and injury during baseball pitching helps further our understanding of injury mechanisms. The shoulder rotational test should be used as a screening tool to identify players at risk.

scholarly journals 727 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THROWING KINEMATICS FROM LITTLE LEAGUE TO PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PITCHERS

1993 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Cosgarea ◽  
Kevin R. Campbell ◽  
Sandy S. Hagood ◽  
Edward G. McFarland ◽  
Charles E. Silberstein
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Little League ◽  
Baseball Pitchers
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