Pitch Counts in Softball?

Did you see this study on softball pitchers?

Probably not, unless you’ve been reading the Journal of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics lately!

A few doctors studied the relationship between pitching regimens and injury prevalence among youth fastpitch softball pitchers. The research, which analyzed the experiences of 120 female pitchers aged 7 to 21, found a significant increase in injuries, particularly among high school-aged players, challenging the long-held belief that the windmill pitch is less injurious compared to overhand baseball pitching.

This study is particularly relevant for parents of young softball players, as it raises crucial questions about the frequency and intensity of pitching in youth softball. With nearly half of the high school-aged participants reporting injuries, many of which led to missed playing time, this research suggests that current pitching practices might be pushing young athletes too far, too soon.

The findings indicate that as pitchers age, the likelihood of injury increases, with shoulder injuries being the most common. Alarmingly, some pitchers did not return to the sport after their injuries.

So, is it time to re-evaluate the approach to youth softball pitching, particularly regarding pitch counts and rest periods?

One study isn’t convincing in itself. But more research would be nice. As the popularity of fastpitch softball continues to grow, ensuring the long-term health and success of young athletes should be a priority.

For more detailed insights, you can review the study here.