Throwing Helps Protect Pitchers' Arms

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Malachy McHugh, director of research at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said the movements involved in throwing a ball appear to have different effects on flexibility. "The loss of internal rotation is probably related to deceleration after you release the ball. And the increase in external rotation is from repetitively moving your arm," he explained.

Injuries occur when the loss of internal rotation becomes too great, McHugh said, adding that stretching is one way to help young pitchers cut this loss of internal rotation. And, of course, pitchers should avoid playing too much.

What's next? According to Mair, there's "still a lot of work to be done in finding out how the growth plate responds to throwing, how to keep kids from being injured, determining pitch counts and days of rest needed, and in educating kids, parents and coaches."

More information

Learn more about baseball safety at SafeUSA.org.