Spring is just around the corner and youth baseball is already underway. As we approach the upcoming season, we encourage you to take a look at data FreeMotion Physical Therapy has from renowned Orthopaedic surgeon Orr Limpisvasti MD. Dr. Limpisvasti presented an alarming statistic of youth baseball players. Approximately 94% of skeletally immature baseball players (under 16 years of age) will demonstrate growth plate irritation on X-Ray. In reality the shaft of the humerus is rotating on the proximal growth plate. This leads to a structural limitation into internal rotation when the growth plate closes. In most cases this is due to poor body mechanics, poor thrunk/ hip / scapular stability, overuse and/or throwing breaking ball pitches before age 14. Some basic rules of thumb laid out by Dr. Limpisvasti and the USA Baseball Medical and Safety Advisory Committee include the following:

1. Never exceed a pitch count of 6 X your age (this includes warm up).
2. Rest for a minimum of 4 days following a max pitch count day.
3. Allow for at least 2 -3 months of complete rest following a baseball season or and injury.

Safe throwing of a baseball requires an intricate combination of balance, stability, flexibility and form. The following considerations are often overlooked by youth baseball programs. To give your child a head start and an ounce of prevention, schedule and apointment with FreeMotion Physical Therapy or a reputable pitching coach for education, stability testing and a full throwing analysis.