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Ouch!, I
struck a chord with someone.
It looks like I
struck a chord with some of you with yesterday's
email.
I'm glad there are
some readers out there.
Below is a copy of
one of the emails I received after yesterday's daily
tip. It is from M.A. and it is about pitchers and
their pitch counts....
I take issue with
your "bottom line," and the way you toss it out
there rather casually in your e-mail:
"It's really up to
the pitcher to know his/her own limitations"
Honestly, Bill. I
think you know as well as I do that you have to be
very careful when making such statements. The above
statement has to be qualified, in terms of its
applicability to different age groups.
Surely you are not
suggesting that 9-12 year-old pitchers (being pushed
by coaches and their own competitiveness as we know
they are) can be counted on (or deferred to) to know
their own limitations. By definition, they are
learning their limitations. The solution to the
injury problem among little league pitchers lies
with better education of the people who are helping
those pitchers (parents, coaches, doctors), not with
the young little league pitcher him/herself.
Here is my response
to M.A...
The bottom line in
reality, the pitcher should become educated about
his/her mechanics and limits. As I mentioned in the
email, those involved in our program have been
educated and hopefully apply what they've learned.
If it is a younger
pitcher, the parents should be involved.
If we rely solely on
the coaches....as we all have in the past, then the
baseball community will get the same result. We try
to reach out and educate the community, but only
those willing to learn and look at it in a different
perspective, will be effective.
So what should the
athlete (and family) do? Educate themselves, as you
are doing, and learn the athlete's limitations.
I truely believe that
pitchers and families of all ages should educate
themselves as to the players limitations.
If you are fortunate
enough to play for a coach who is aware of
limitations, then great. If not, then who's
responsibility should it be? I believe the player
and/or parents should be aware.
Our guidelines for
pitch counts are just that, guidelines. You need to
understand your limitations. How do you stack up
against those guidelines? Can you throw more? or do
you need less?
Again, arm injuries,
although they can be genetic, are generally related
to poor mechanics, too high of a workload (not
enough rest too), or no or improper conditioning.
Notice that I didn't say types of pitches etc.
We will talk about
that in our next email.
So, bottom line,
improve your mechanics, make sure you manage your
work loads and train properly for the activity. That
doesn't mean get out and throw right away.
Kids in our academy
are training right now for next year. They don't
wait for a few weeks before the season to get going.
Start now!
One other note about
being responsible for managing your own pitch
counts. There is a delicate balance between being
seen as someone who wants to come out of the game
because of the situation and one who manages his/her
workloads. Communicating with the coach, player and
parents (if appropriate) is critical before the
season and before the game.
If a player knows his
limits, then he might buckle down and pitch more
aggressively to keep his pitch count down. Food for
thought.
If you are looking
for ways to train the shoulder capsule and elbow for
the off season, we have a great DVD workout for you.
It's called the 12 Minute Shoulder and Elbow
Endurance Workout Solution. It features Sean Cochran
completing exercises specific for pitching. only
$19.99 plus s&h.
Look for it on our
website in coming days.
Until next time,
Keep kickin rear in
the training room!
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