Can we skip fall ball?

(Sorry, the backstory for this question will be long.) DD has been pitching year-round with no break for over two years. I was planning on shutting her down in November for a couple months because of the articles I've been reading that say that year-round training contributes to overuse injuries. DD just finished her first year of 12U (third year of travel ball overall). She had a very strong season playing for a team that didn't win many games, but she didn't mind. She really enjoyed playing with her teammates.

Problem is she's been complaining of soreness in her pitching arm since May, and after many trips to the sports doctor, they have finally told us that we have to shut her down for at least three months, that she has an overuse injury. I think the year-round pitching, plus winter volleyball, and the four-inch growth spurt in the past year have all contributed to this.

Despite the fun she had, we're most likely moving to a new team for next year, because the current team doesn't spend a lot of time developing players. Winter workouts weren't very efficient and the girls didn't get nearly as many reps as they could have. Once spring arrived, they stopped practicing altogether and just played weekend tournaments and midweek friendly games. I've talked to current coach about focusing more on fundamentals, but I don't think the team philosophy is going to change. Tryouts begin in a couple of weeks. I'm sure she can make a team as a position player, but I worry that she's going to find herself shut out of the pitching rotation after she is able to pitch again. Or worse yet, she does earn her way into it, but it creates drama because another girl's parents are unhappy that their daughter isn't getting as many innings as they expected. Seems like drama just loves youth softball.

The doctor says she can throw overhand. She just can't pitch. I'm toying with the idea of taking this fall off from softball, letting her do her shoulder rehab, and actually using the speed/agility package we've been paying for monthly but hardly ever getting to use. Then in December/January, arranging some private tryouts. DD has been approached by multiple organizations this summer that would like her to play for them, so I don't think it's a huge risk that she'd have nowhere to play next summer. I can play catch with her and hit grounders and flyballs to her in the meantime.

I guess I'm looking for a second opinion on this plan. Will DD look bad if we just skip fall ball this year? Thoughts?

Here's my $0.02. If a Dr. has recommended she shut it down, that's what you do. Who cares if it looks bad? A career ending injury from overuse would be a lot worse. My first obligation to my children is their safety and well being, not what team she makes.

laker

I agree but I'd also get a second opinion before making a decision.

laker said:

Here's my $0.02. If a Dr. has recommended she shut it down, that's what you do. Who cares if it looks bad? A career ending injury from overuse would be a lot worse. My first obligation to my children is their safety and well being, not what team she makes.

laker

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I'm shutting her pitching down. That's not in question at all.

The doctor says she can throw overhand and hit though. What I'm contemplating is shutting that down too.

Of course you can skip Fall Ball. I think that most people do.

Maybe try something else too. Basketball? Volleyball?

klamath632 said:

I'm shutting her pitching down. That's not in question at all.

The doctor says she can throw overhand and hit though. What I'm contemplating is shutting that down too.

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Oh, sorry. I re-read and see that part now. Mine's going to go play recreational soccer with school friends this Fall. Her softball coach is all for it. Paraphrasing him, "Good, you deserve a break from this. Go have fun. See you in December." So my answer is, still let her have a break. I've just started paying attention to the kids a couple years older than my DD that have gone non-stop for years. A lot of them look like they could use a break too. I've decided that 12 months out of the year is just too much.

DD's 2004 team is using fall ball as a way to ease into 12u competition. That said it is still expected that kids may be committed to other fall sports or just may need a break. Up to the kid.

Shut her down this Fall and let her get better. It is much tougher to do when she gets to be second year 14U and the recruiting heats up. Does she play another position and bat? Can she still do those and not risk further injury to her arm?

Shut her down. If you don't there will come a game in the fall when they "need" a pitcher. They'll ask her if she can pitch a couple of innings and she will be pitching
as many innings as before.