Travel Baseball, Fall Ball, and Training and Development
programs have become components of off-season baseball for youth
players. Ten years ago, these were non-existent and kids turned to
other sports to keep busy until the next year rolled around. Now,
youth baseball on a year-round basis is here to stay. More
tournaments, games and practices fill out the schedule.
Travel Baseball, Fall Ball, and Training and Development programs have become components of off-season baseball for youth players. Ten years ago, these were non-existent and kids turned to other sports to keep busy until the next year rolled around. Now, youth baseball on a year-round basis is here to stay. More tournaments, games and practices fill out the schedule.
I’m all for the development of players and I think these three components add a great value toward that goal. But one bold question needs to be asked. When does my child’s arm get a rest?
If you’ve just finished a regular youth season, participated in All-Stars and go right in to Travel Baseball, be aware that your son may be throwing for nine months straight (February through November) without a break. For players 12 and under that’s way too much, especially for pitchers.
Some players might participate in Fall Programs and play on Travel Teams at the same time. And, pitch for both teams.
Once again, this is too much. A child’s arm is developing and doesn’t need to be pushed to limits in the off-season. Sore arms develop and more rest is needed before the upcoming season starts. Why risk an arm injury in the off-season when the games mean nothing?
Let’s use this time for instruction, arm-strengthening and learning. That’s what the true spirit of Training and Development means.
A recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine concluded that youth pitchers should be resting at least two months out of the year.
It also concluded that players not conforming to rest periods and pitch counts in games on the youth level, were experiencing problems later on in high school that limited their performance.
This study was funded by USA Baseball and over 28 orthopedic surgeons nationwide were surveyed.
So when should the arm be rested?
Well, the whole month of August is a good start. December is another whole month to take off. And if you’re playing year-round, November and December should be your rest time. That means not picking up a ball at all.
Most importantly, remember one thing. After you’ve rested the arm, there must be a time to build up the arm again. The worst thing you can do after resting your arm is going right back to breaking it down. Long Toss and stretching out your throws should be your focus before you start throwing hard again.
Learning how to rest and building up your arm strength will pay great dividends for the future.
During the last year I’ve seen a lot of arm injuries on the youth level.
My question would be, “Could they have been prevented with proper rest?”
Rich Taylor is the owner, head instructor and CEO of Taylor Made Baseball. He is a former pitching coach at Pepperdine University and Chicago White Sox scout. He founded the West Coast Baseball School and has 26 years of youth coaching experience. His column appears on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
