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Zcoach
151 Posts |
 Posted - 08/29/2010 : 14:16:04
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I am really looking for some advice, guidance, reassurance, that i am handling this the right way.
A player on my team has had elbow issues (growth plate) since June of 2010. His Dr. shut him down for June and July, allowing him to begin throwing (not pitching) at the beginning of August. The player was cleared to begin pitching in mid-August and I have had him throw at 60%-70% 25 to 30 pitches for over the last two weekends. This weekend, after his 10th pitch (no breaking balls), he complained that his elbow hurt. I immediately shut him down. Here is my dilemma...
I seem to be the cautious one. Parents don't seem as concerned as I do that their son continues to have significant pain. I was the driving force in June to get him to his Dr., and it seems that the parents are trying to push this a bit hard, saying that his arm is just tired or it is not in shape yet.
Am I being too cautious?? Sorry for the ramble, I'm just seeking guidance. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 16:35:56
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| No, you are not being too cautious. There is a difference between pain and soreness. I would encourage the parents to get him back to the doctor again. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 18:14:01
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In situations where I see repetitive elbow issues, looking at their mechanics has to be a focus. (Is their arm slot causing pressure on their elbow, are they leading with their elbow, etc.)
It is in the players best interest for a good coack to be concerned. |
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ec1
40 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 19:37:43
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| If you have any doubt, take your son to Andrews clinic in Bham and see any of the staff ---they know baseball. Not that we dont have talent in Atl--I'd see Dr Kelley from Resurgens as a first point of reference. But, for a second and final opinion, go where the pros go....its not that long of trip for piece of mind... |
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gabandit
25 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 20:09:18
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In addition to possible mechanical issues, growth plate injuries and pain are directly related to how an athlete grows. Some kids just grow in larger spurts, which means that the area next to the growth plate, where cartilage is created causing the bone to grow, is a larger area before it starts to ossify into bone. This may just be the way this boy grows and he will have this issue until his long upper arm slows down. It is also a function of the combination of a "larger grower" and a harder thrower, as well as mechanics.
DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY. I have personal experience with this and would be very willing to discuss it with you. Feel free to send me a message if you wish to do so. |
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excoach12
159 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 22:15:28
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You have every right to be concerned that the parents are not concerned. I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they do not realize this might be a serious problem.
My son went through the same thing. We shut him down for 6 weeks. After 4 weeks we strengthened the elbow using stretching and rubber band resistence for two weeks. Then easy throwing and finally easy pitching. He is finally back to regular form but it took 8-9 weeks.
The ortho said it will happen again at his next growth spurt but watched his pitching motion and immediately found the problem and how to lessen the severity.
Watch how your pitcher stops the forward motion of his arm. My son had excellent mechanics up to the point of stopping the arm. He used all his muscles from toes to shoulder, and all that distance from below his hips up through the release point, to accelerate his arm but then used only his bicep and forearm, and about 2 feet of distance, to stop his arm. Though it looked like he was pitching perfectly from wind up to stopping what was really happening was the arm was stretching because he engaged his bicep to stop all that momentum.
The correct method is to leave the arm muscles relaxed and let the throwing hand slap into the opposite hip/buttocks area and use that wall of flesh to stop the throwing motion. Pitching instructor concurred and focused on that for a few lessons and now my kid throws around 60 pitches at 55-62mph and says his arm feels great and never even gets sore.
Hopefully your parents will listen and find out what is going wrong and your pitcher will heal quickly.
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zwndad
170 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2010 : 13:54:40
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| Frankly, if I had a concern, I wouldn't pitch him until that concern goes away. If the parents don't like it, that's their problem and can make whatever decisions they want to make. You don't want a blown arm on your conscience. Arms are getting blown left and right, especially at age 13-14 when the boys are growing so much. Sounds like you don't want to contribute to that, and good for you. |
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ECB Mom
14 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2010 : 22:51:24
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Zcoach- sometimes you listen to the parent, sometimes you listen to the player, and in this situation I would listen to the player. If you take in all of the facts, I think you did the right thing by shutting him down. This player needs to back off and start back on his ( or start) on a throwing program. This player needs to be able to do reps of 'long toss' easily and without pain on flat ground before he should step back on the mound.
Our 17 y/o son has played on the Astros at EC since 11 years olds. He was a great Pitcher until half way thru his 14u summer, when he couldn't throw a ball without his shoulder pain knocking him to the ground after every throw. He went thru many weeks of strengthening exercises, short toss-progressed into long toss, which allowed him to get back on the mound and throw without pain. This leads me to Excoach12's entry. He is so correct when you talk mechanics. He is 'on the money' when he talks about the 'follow through' of the arm. Boys work hard to make big bulky biceps for throwing. That is the 'gas' of the throw. The part of the throw that is equally, if not more, important is the 'brakes' of the arm. That is where the band work comes into play. The band work strengthens the smaller muscles to give the shoulder stability. I wish band work was part of all baseball teams strength and agility training or part of their regular warm up. I certainly wished it was stressed to us at an earlier age. Three years after his injury, he continues with the band work. Can't stress band work and good mechanics enough. |
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13-14 yr old with elbow issues
