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* No Sliding Headfirst, like this guy!
* No Playing Pepper without coach supervision
* No fence climbing
* No swinging of bat without Batting Helmets
* Catchers in bullpen must have gear on
* All protective equipment must be worn
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Young pitchers can avoid elbow trouble
Little League Elbow
by Patrick J. Bird, Ph.D.
Q. I am a little league coach and father of our teams best pitcher. Do you have any tips on how I can help him and other pitchers on the team avoid "little league elbow"?
A. The label "little league elbow" applied to a variety of conditions from mild inflammation of the tendons surrounding the elbow to more serious problems such as stress fractures, bone degeneration, and damage the growth plate of the humerus (upper arm bone). The major cause of this sports injury is excessive throwing combined with the repetitive twisting and whipping of the elbow. Typical symptoms are stiffness and soreness around the elbow and pain when throwing.
Little league elbow is like most other "overuse syndromes." That is, the insignificant breakdown of tissue that normally occurs during physical activity is so unremitting that the damage exceeds the bodys ability to make repairs. Here are some tips that can help your son and other little league pitchers maintain a healthy throwing arm:
*Dont throw too much, too soon, in pre season activity. The break-in period for pitchers should include a carefully planned progression that increases the number, distance, and intensity of throws. Of course, pitchers must always warm up carefully during each practice, before a game, and prior to taking the mound.
*Limit the number of pitches thrown. Reports in The Physician and Sportsmedicine recommend no more than about 100 pitches per game or in practice. Monitoring pitch counts should be a standard routine, with "back yard practice" pitches included in the count.
*Restrict the number of innings pitched. Little League Baseball, Inc. recommends no more than six innings per week and mandatory rest days between pitching appearances. Youngsters pitching up to three innings in a game, should not pitch the next day. After pitching four innings or more, there should be three days of rest.
*Stress throwing technique--not number of pitches-- in practice. Also, pediatric physicians, coaches, and athletic trainers generally agree that the young elbow is not developed enough for throwing sliders or curve balls. In addition, pitchers who throw with a side arm motion, as opposed to a pure overhead motion, are more prone to elbow problems. And, of course, total body throwing motion must be stressed, not just the arm action.
*Add strengthening exercises to practices. One simple and effective strengthening exercise is to take an old broom stick and attach a three-foot rope to it, with a 1 to 5 pound weight on the end of the rope. While standing, with arms fully extended and horizontal to the ground, the youngster should grip the stick on either side of the rope, palms down, and slowly wind the cord around the stick by rotating the stick toward the body. Then slowly unwind the rope back to the floor. Repeat three to five times. Then repeat the process again with the palms up. This training should begin six weeks of so before the young pitcher throws the first "live" pitch.
*Be pro active. Any time a pitcher complains of discomfort, or of "pulling," "popping," or "giving out," or just mild tenderness around the joint, there should be no more pitching for the athlete that day. Also, the speed and number of pitches should be decreased for the next several days. And never allow a player to try to "pitch through pain."
*Finally, be cautious. Early signs of overuse injury should be treated by a physician, with the doctor's orders followed to the letter. Conservative treatment typically involves complete rest from throwing until elbow tenderness disappears usually 2 to 6 weeks. Ice massage and anti-inflammatory medication are normally recommended as well, along with forearm stretching and strengthening exercises. Remember, players must fully recover strength, range of motion, and pain-free throwing before returning to competition. Although little league elbow is usually a minor problem that responds well to treatment, if ignored, it can end a pitching career--permanently.
Dr. Bird is dean of College of Health and Human Performance at U of Florida. Article appeared in the St. Pete Times.
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