re: Youth Baseball Thread: the "What Are We Getting Ourselves Into" edition.

quote:

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Tommy John surgery at 19 comes from overuse at 12-13-14.

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I would also add that the lack of properly stretching (before pitching), poor mechanics and arm care (recovery workout after pitching) also adds to the increase of TJ surgery.

As for playing 1 sport only, don't do it. College recruiters love kids who play multiple sports because it gives them a better scope of their athleticism.

Now playing travel ball isn't bad at all if you're with the right coach/team.

If you don't want to play year round, check into lessons such as hitting and/or pitching. It's usually done once a week for an hour and not that expensive.

Pitching lessons should include proper way to warm up, arm conditioning and strengthening and not throwing max velocity, but more about working on location, arm location (angle), landing, weight distribution and things like that.