PSAL to Institute Pitch Counts For High School Pitchers
As my neighbors and friends know, I am very much opposed to what I feel is the overload of sports play heaped upon our growing children. I am particularly against what has now turned into the sport of year round baseball. On Staten island, we have spring baseball in April, summer leagues in June, fall ball in September and winter ball in December. Add practice, clinics and other sports such as soccer and basketball, its easy to see how our children are playing continually at a competitive level. I am in agreement that children should be allowed to run, play and have fun but the increase in competitive play brings about an earlier occurrence of serious injuries. The overuse of pitchers has been directly addressed before and this year, the PSAL is instituting a 105 pitch limit for all high school pitchers, along with mandatory rest between outings.
Recent studies have shown that serious injuries, such as tears of the anterior cruciate ligament, are being diagnosed much more frequently. The reason is believed to be two-fold; Initially, more children are undergoing MRI scans when they complain of knee pain. More importantly, the best athletes are constantly at risk with year-round play on multiple teams with frequent games. The risk of injury is higher in a game than in practice because of the higher intensity level of play. Its this higher intensity that leads to more serious injuries than if children were playing in a schoolyard.
The risks involved with the repair of an ACL tear should make all parents evaluate whether their children are playing sports to have fun or are being pushed along by the parents desire to see them play. The operation to repair the ACL involves drilling into the growth plate, causing potential complications including shortening of one leg. The injured child is also on the way to developing arthritis in the knee, something that we only think happens to older adults. I ask that all parents take a moment to think about their child's sports schedule. Sure, most kids love to play all the time but after all, aren't we meant to protect them?
