- Apr 28, 2019
- 1,423
- 83
Keeping in mind, I was just like your DD's when I was in high school... I was a softball pitcher. While I didn't pitch for my High School team (although looking back, I could've sued and joined the team!!!) I did pitch nearly every single day. One league played Mon and Wed nights, the other Tue and Thur. Then, I'd play tournaments on weekends too. And if you saw me in my teens, I was a skinny rail of a kid... so I wouldn't really buy the argument of having more "muscle" or even more body mass than the girls who pitched for the high school team. I also threw BP to them, which helped my grades as the coach was also my math teacher. Moreover, I got several dates in HS by throwing BP as no other guys in the school could help a girl hit a riseball. And if she broke up with me? Bang, Drop ball right in the ribs at the next practice!!!!!!! (Always throw dropballs to the ribs, if you throw at the head they can duck. At the feet, they can jump. There's now where to turn when it's at the ribs!!!!! And a dropball shows it was on purpose!!!!!). "Sorry Missy, you should've gone to the movies with me on Saturday!!!!!"
Anyway, my point is, the thought of overuse never entered my mind, or my father's. I'm not suggesting anyone is doing wrong by being concerned about your kid, PLEASE don't misunderstand me. But I do think kids are a lot stronger than we sometimes think or give credit for.
Bill
It does seem like baseball takes pitch counts much more seriously. I’m guessing the overhand motion involves the elbow more resulting in all this Tommy John surgery that seems common place these days.
The windmill motion seems to put greater stress on a larger area the shoulder. I guess that’s why it’s considered a more natural movement and can be performed much more often.
Everything in moderation is a good way to go. On another recent thread here it says college coaches are complaining that pitchers are all used up by the time they get to college.
So either there is some truth to overuse syndrome or college coaches just want the option of using and abusing their recruits as they see fit.
With my DD she has a “young arm” as I don’t let her pitch too often. I think some girls peak too soon and once you peak there is only one direction left to go.
I believe my DD is still very much on the upswing and has pitched much less than other girls her age. I want her to reach her full potential in college not HS.
We recently started with basically our 1st consistent pitching coach. She was a very good D-1 pitcher and is in our State athletic HOF.
I asked her how much DD should be throwing and she stated her best students throw 2-5 times a week consistently without reminders to do so.
I’d be tickled with a lesson and two sessions on her own. I have many interests but I can honestly say there is not one I would enjoy doing 7 days a week.
I think it boils down to you have to know your body and what feels right. Hopefully there is some good coaching around to support that.