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Baseball season is in full swing – no pun intended.

As kids everywhere are taking the diamond, we would like to take a minute to remind you about the importance of shoulder health, especially in Little League Baseball.

Injuries are a part of every sport, but few are as prevalent as shoulder injuries in baseball. The forceful throwing motion can take its toll on your rotator cuff, especially when done in repetition. In fact, if your child is a pitcher, there is a 50% chance that they will experience elbow or shoulder pain at some point in their career.

Pitching repeatedly places a large amount of stress on the growth plate in the shoulder, which can actually cause it to widen and cause sharp pains; a condition commonly known as Little League Shoulder.

Luckily, Little League Baseball has recently implemented a strict pitch limit for players of all ages, to limit wear-and-tear on their shoulder and keep them off of the injury reserve list. The pitch count is as follows:

• 7-8 years old – 50 pitches per day

• 9-10 years old – 75 pitches per day

• 11-12 years old – 85 pitches per day

• 13-16 years old – 95 pitches per day

• 17-18 years old – 105 pitches per day

There are other things you can do to prevent shoulder injuries as well. One of the easiest and most effective methods of injury prevention is stretching. The Thrower’s 10 Stretching Program was specifically designed to improve the shoulder health of throwing athletes.

If your child sustains an injury from baseball – be it to their shoulder, elbow, or anyone else – the orthopedic doctors at OSG can get them on the road to recovery. Our pediatric orthopedic care is widely-regarded as the best in southern Connecticut. Visit us online to learn more, or schedule an appointment with one of our certified doctors by calling (203) 337-2600.