10 and Under Pitching

[RageCoach1]

My girls just started pitching this year and I was wondering if I need to do a pitch count limit or just limit them to 1 inning per game, or am I just being overly cautious.

 

[stephanie]

overly cautious.

My 10U pitched 3 games in a day a month ago....underly cautious.

a full game shouldn't be a big deal for these kids...

 

[Amy in AZ.]

I count my 10s that have been pitching a couple of years. I hope that they stay between 75-100 pitches.

It would all depend on the strength of your pitcher and you indicate that she is a 1st year. I would look at her after 50 pitches and if her mechanics are starting to break down, I would pull her.

That said, one inning a game isn't enough for her to build up any strength and experience.

I have girls pitch or practice 5 days out of 7. Some folks go more or less.

It is hard to say how many pitches she should throw, w/o knowing her. Does she have a pitching coach? That is who should be advising you.

Good luck and have fun. Post some video of her, if you want to.

 

[lhowser]

Overly cautious. Try to get at least 3 innings out of them. Not stopping at 3 for physical reasons but because if they are just starting they will likely lose control and focus and fatigue after 3 with few acceptions.

A somewhat experienced 10U should be able to handle a full game. With mine I am drawing the line at two full games in a day and those not back to back.

 

[EP Dad]

Not necessarily a good thing but I've seen 10U pitchers go three games in a day. It really depends on the kid. They'll tell you if anything is wrong, or talk to the parents and see where they're at.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

But overuse injuries do not show up the day after the 3 games. Injuries build up and could show up 3 years later.

 

[lhowser]

3 games in a day is too much for 10U if they go over 4 innings. Don't risk an injury that will show up down the road to the shoulder to win a trophy and national birth for a ten year old. Pitching involves so many joints and muscle groups that there is always risk even when you are cautious. Don't take uneeded risks at such a young age.

 

[stephanie]

yes...I wasn't smart.
Don't let them pitch three games. Luckily, she was good the next day, but she did sleep through most of it!!

 

[EP Dad]

This looks like a decent article.

Avoid Pitching Injuries - What NOT To Do Great softball pitching hints and recommendations for girl softball pitchers

 

[SoftSocDad]

But overuse injuries do not show up the day after the 3 games. Injuries build up and could show up 3 years later.

Mine wants to pitch every day, but she has a mandatory day off each week (the day after a hard lesson, I refuse to catch for her!) and then we usually end up with another day off as well.

Because she's so young and so eager to become great NOW, I always ensure several minutes of warm-up time and then limit the amount of time we spend on pitching. I don't see any point in becoming the greatest 8yo ever if her arm is all used up by the time she's 15.

We focus a lot on nutrition, but she doesn't take any vitamin supplements.