NJJBA - Archive Article

"Young Athletes get Doctor's Warning" USA Today article.

Saving Young Arms: The USA Baseball Medical Safety Advisory Committee has established a set of guidelines to help young pitchers reduce the risk of arm injuries. The recommendations:

Risk: Season Overuse
Maximum pitches a game:

Age	Pitch	Games/wk
8-10	50	2
11-12	65	2
13-14	75	2
15-16	90	2
17-18	105	2

Risk: Early Breaking Pitches
Ages to learn pitches:
Fastball - 8
Change up - 10
Curve ball - 14
Knuckleball - 15
Slider - 16
Fork ball - 16
Splitter - 16
Screwball - 17

Risk: Event Overuse
Minimum rest after pitching
(based on # of pitches thrown):

Age	1 day	2 days	3 days	4 days
8-10	20	35	45	50
11-12	25	35	55	60
13-14	30	35	55	70
15-16	30	40	60	80
17-18	30	40	60	90

Note: JCJBL/USSSA pitching guidelines are based on innings pitched, not number of pitches, and are in place for the safety of our kids.

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