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How much is too much?

Posted by Tommy John on May 7, 2025, 8:10 pm

Just witnessed a high school pitcher throw 3 complete games in 3 days, throwing 396 pitches (does not include warmups and between innings). Seems borderline criminal...am I wrong?

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by @Tommy on May 8, 2025, 8:01 pm, in reply to "How much is too much?"

Not bordering, it is criminal.

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by Shots Fired on May 10, 2025, 2:44 pm, in reply to "Re: How much is too much?"

Not condoning this but go check out the stats of Bree Campbell of Dowagiac , MI / Michiana Repetition 09. She’ll throw 150+ per game and hit 400+ in a weekend. What’s worse the coach putting in the circle or the parent letting it happen.

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by Dr. Frank Jobe on May 8, 2025, 6:52 pm, in reply to "How much is too much?"

Could look at this a few different ways.

On one hand, some athletes are simply more durable than others. And some (though not all) science would support that underhand pitching puts less stress on the body than overhand.

At the same time, there is no body that doesn't show wear and tear - at least in the form if diminished performance. So, even if they can throw game after game, it's no doubt that their velocity will decline.

Unfortunately, many (most?) HS coaches aren't looking past the first week of June. They aren't worried about the next season, and certainly aren't taking into account the load that the athlete will carry in the summer and fall.

Probably the most common injury that occurs in situations like what you describe isn't physical... it's the damage that occurs to their recruitment potential!

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by Oh No on May 10, 2025, 2:05 pm, in reply to "Re: How much is too much?"

The deceleration forces of the underhand motion are significantly higher than that of an overhand pitch. We've heard, mostly from commentators that the underhand motion is more natural. It is not. Add the potential torque of breaking pitches on top of deceleration forces plus poor mechanics and kids pitching multiple games each week since 8 years old, it's an injury waiting to happen.

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by @oh no on May 11, 2025, 12:02 pm, in reply to "Re: How much is too much?"

Shoulder issues yes as well as hip, back and especially knees. The pitcher position is brutal for injuries and it doesn't help when you have "coaches" at the lower levels not understanding pitch management and prevention. No trainers, PT, etc. I agree that parents need to advocate but let's face it, some are as ignorant as the "coaches", chasing awards and accolades

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by @ Oh no on May 11, 2025, 10:09 am, in reply to "Re: How much is too much?"

Your points are correct. But it’s also true that you simply don’t see the injuries to underhand pitchers that you do with overhand pitchers. (Thank goodness.) Until those injury rates increase, the average fan, parent and coach will continue to believe that underhand pitchers can throw endlessly - regardless of the science.

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by @ oh no on May 12, 2025, 9:43 am, in reply to "Re: How much is too much?"

This world has become extremely soft. There is a big difference between injury and soreness. A lot of these athletes shut down after getting sore.

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by Soft on May 13, 2025, 8:30 pm, in reply to "Re: How much is too much?"

Yeah, I would agree that the world has become a bit soft but not in this case. These are young athletes with active growth plates, muscles being developed, etc. Even grown women in college that have professional training are not throwing 400 pitches in three days or 750 in a week. From what I have seen, at the D1 level in a 3 game weekend, the ace will get starts and maybe a few extra innings. They throw a lot of strikes and if they go 100 pitches, that is a lot...many will go a complete game and throw 85 or so. If I am wrong, clue me in, but some of these young girls in high school will be broken before even getting a chance.

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by Show Me on May 8, 2025, 6:04 pm, in reply to "How much is too much?"

Which school?

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by Parents on May 9, 2025, 6:50 am, in reply to "Re: How much is too much?"

Someone please give these parents a clue !
Or let them continue to witness their daughter be abused

Re: How much is too much?

Posted by TJ on May 8, 2025, 7:13 pm, in reply to "Re: How much is too much?"

School in SE Wisconsin.
Monday 121
Tuesday 134
Wednesday 139
Math was off... actually 394, not 396

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