Questions to Parents of Pitchers with over use injuries

[3rd Base Coach]

DonnieS
>> hope & assume that Donnie S & I will meet up some day on the ball field at Nationals. <<

>>>>>>> "Coach, what age bracket and level ? We will probably go 18gold again. The qualifier for this part of the world will be held in San Antonio, about 3 hours away from us. " <<<<<<

To answer your questions (without rude interuption from certain 'others') : I have gone through all the age groups 3-4 times in the past 25 yrs - 10u through 18u. This saturday will be my last game in ASA 'A' travelball - yes, one reason is age but there are a couple others also. We are 16u. There could be a chance that I would be at 18u Gold Nationals because of some interesting things in the 'works'.

A couple comments regarding my 'sarcasm' on the other board.
Of course my 'goal' would be to get my catchers to the point where they could 'call their own game'. I tell my players 2-3 times per year that each coach has his own 'philosophy' and as a classroom teacher I then tell the 10, 12 & 14 year olds that 'philosophy' is how a person thinks. Each coach has his own 'philosophy'. It doesn't mean that they are 'right' or 'wrong' - it is just how they think. If a coach wants to allow his catcher to call a game - it's ok. If the coach calls his own game - it's ok.

I will be looking forward to meeting you.
I will follow this up regarding your post 'of pitchers with over use injuries'.

[DonnieS]

DonnieS
>> hope & assume that Donnie S & I will meet up some day on the ball field at Nationals. <<

>>>>>>> "Coach, what age bracket and level ? We will probably go 18gold again. The qualifier for this part of the world will be held in San Antonio, about 3 hours away from us. " <<<<<<

To answer your questions (without rude interuption) : I have gone through all the age groups 3-4 times in the past 25 yrs - 10u through 18u. This saturday will be my last game in ASA 'A' travelball - yes, one reason is age but there are a couple others also. We are 16u. There could be a chance that I would be at 18u Gold Nationals because of some interesting things in the 'works'.

A couple comments regarding my 'sarcasm' on the other board.
Of course my 'goal' would be to get my catchers to the point where they could 'call their own game'. I tell my players 2-3 times per year that each coach has his own 'philosophy' and as a classroom teacher I then tell the 10, 12 & 14 year olds that 'philosophy' is how a person thinks. Each coach has his own 'philosophy'. It doesn't mean that they are 'right' or 'wrong' - it is just how they think. If a coach wants to allow his catcher to call a game - it's ok. If the coach calls his own game - it's ok.

I will be looking forward to meeting you.
I will follow this up regarding your post 'of pitchers with over use injuries'.

I didnt see sarcasm directed this way, I saw lots of experience talking. You lifers have your reasons for doing things your way, I have learned tons from all of you. I am a head coach of a travel team because of my dds - they love the game but they love other sports as well. Being head coach, I schedule our play around the other parts of my daughters lives. If people dont like that, thats ok, we have 14 great kids from like-minded families, most of whom have been with us for a while. The only time I have had problem with kids on this team is where I brought on kids based on recommendations from others and didnt follow up myself.

I think we see calling the same way - I have had 4 pretty good catchers over the years, these last playing gold teams. One is a natural at doing the calling, two others aren't at that spot, they are very good athletes but just dont go to that level of strategic thinking at this point. The fourth pitches and I would like to see her give it a try at area tournaments to see what she could do - but the high school she pitches for really needs her healthy and catching is a high risk position, so she will probably fade out of catching now, she is a h/s junior.

Like a lot of things, this is not a black and white issue, there are a lot of considerations here that have to be brought into the decision.

[3rd Base Coach]

>>>>> "I know there are more than a few, I hear from some people that every pitcher around them has had or is planning shoulder, arm, elbow surgery. For those of us with younger pitchers, help us by telling us what you guys did? Not trying to point blame, etc, but trying to help us by not making any mistakes you guys may or may not have done.

A) with ages, how often did you practice
b) with ages, how long did you practice each day - warmup pitches?
c) with ages, how often did you go to instructions (usually kids pitch longer those days)
d) with ages, did you ice after practices, instructions, games, etc.
e) with ages, how much game time, estimate of pitch counts, innings, if by game, what kind of game, innings, time, etc.
f) with ages, how often did you play (2 weekends per month, 4 per month, etc)
g) with ages, did you have a time off each year
h) did your kid do other sports - which ?
i) outside softball/pitching, what kind of workout regimen if any?" <<<<<<<<<<<<

Responding - with 30 yrs experience :
A), B). 20 yrs ago (with 16u) - about 2-3 days per week. 25 min.
Back in the 80's (I think) I watched a tv show called 'That's incredible' with Fran
Tarkington as host. he interviewed 15 yr old Samantha Ford (UCLA) & her dad. Her dad
said she threw 200-250 pitches per day. I thought that was too much so I tried 150.
10 yrs ago (with 10 yr olds) I reduced it to about 100-125 > about 4-5 days per week
including games.
now/today - H S : 5 days per week, including game/s. About 15-20 min per practice day.

B). H S : about 10-15 overhand throws. Then about 10-15 underhand fastballs for target
warmup. Then about 5-7 of each pitch, with about 1-2 fastballs between each.

C). here's the key : About 25 yrs ago I 'discovered' Ron Lefebvre in OC, Calif (I lived in Palm
Springs 2 hrs drive). Ron is a kinecioligist (sp) (bones & muscle) & I concluded that he
taught the best basics & fundelmentals (sp) for girls fastpitch. His daughter, Susan, was a
college world series pitcher (C S Fullerton). Ron took my 15-20 pitchers to a certain level.
But they 'peaked out' after 2 yrs.
About 12 yrs ago I finally got my remaining 10-15 pitchers into Don Sarno who I, & others,
consider the best instructor in the nation. Don 'fine tunes' the pitchers. He only allows a
lesson every 3 wks. Most of us would pay him double for weekly lessons.

[DDs Dad]

Hey 3rd Base Coach:
Where are you playing Saturday? MB (and potential MHS) DD is playing in HB/Surf City... I'd like to stop by.

[3rd Base Coach]

DD's Dad

We are playing my final ASA 'A' travelball games on saturday in Wilmington. I am just 'peaking out' my pitchers for our feb 28th scrimmage with Art Lilly.

You could stop by Playa Vista during the week to chit chat & have DD throw with my pitchers. I will catch her anytime

[TShark]

Just a couple more weeks Dave

[3rd Base Coach]

T Shark

My only senior was my pitcher.
But we will show up.

[3rd Base Coach]

d) with ages, did you ice after practices, instructions, games, etc.
e) with ages, how much game time, estimate of pitch counts, innings, if by game, what kind of game, innings, time, etc.
f) with ages, how often did you play (2 weekends per month, 4 per month, etc)
g) with ages, did you have a time off each year
h) did your kid do other sports - which ?
i) outside softball/pitching, what kind of workout regimen if any?

Continued :

D). I have always 'preached' icing after games but never knew if they did. Last H S (2008) we had a
'Trainer'. I took advantage of his presence. For the 1st time in my coaching career, my
pitchers were getting iced after EVERY practice plus he would come to our games & wrap
their arms/shoulders while I talked to the team.

E). Each pitcher would usually pitch 1 game on a Saturday & 1 game on a Sunday. Sometimes 2
games on Sunday - all ages.

F). We would play approx 150-160 games per year - Sept to Sept. Most of the time we would
play 5 wkends & then take 1 wkend off.

G). Time off = ha. 2 1/2 wks in Aug & 2 1/2 weeks in mid Dec/1st wk of jan.
Now - Beginning after this H S season (maybe) = Summer off for me. Fall off for me. H S
season - mid Feb through May.

H). Being a 'control freak', I didn't allow my pitchers/players to do other sports.

I). There are about 3-6 girls who participate in my 'Last Period P E Class'. They throw the ball
back & forth & do some exercises/stretches. Small weights, jump ropes, medicine ball. We
do this from mid Oct until mid Feb.

[DonnieS]

3bc, thanks good info. Except for H, my kids would probably do well with you. I understand your reasoning for not allowing other sports, but my dds disagree. They will play other sports - and experience tells me, they may get hurt playing other sports just like in softball. But they love their sports and to play softball, they will play other sports.

[3rd Base Coach]

DonnieS

again - philosophy.
I played many different sports when younger. I always felt that if I (or anyone) 'specializes' they would be in the 'top' groups . I concluded 15 yrs ago here in So Cal that if a girl played another sport they would 'regress' & could not keep up with the girls who played all year.
I really believe that is one of the main differences with So Cal girls & girls from other states like Texas. The Calif girls play traveball year around.