Ironman92 wrote:
Because location is far more important and a pitcher who throws 82 mph will have better location throwing 77-79 mph
Never said there aren't more arm injuries. The data is fine. List me 3 names in the last decade from the SE district and I'll go away.
What is your thoughts on these pitchers that also get time at the catching position?
Hitting a "location" by slowing your arm down to hit a "spot" I don't think is very accurate for most kids. Changing your velocity to the plate with off-speed by grip with a change-up or throwing a breaking ball is one thing. But throwing a "slower" "fastball" by slowing everything down in my experience does not improve your ability to hit a "spot". Just the opposite usually. The key to location is the ability to repeat the delivery on a consistent basis, sometimes changing arm slots has the effect for some kids to slow down their delivery. But all in all you want to try and be somewhat consistent in you delivery. Obviously with base runners you want to change how fast you go home, give different looks, etc., but when the sign is a fastball, throw the heater to the spot given. I wouldn't recommend holding back I don't think it provides more accuracy.
3 names that have done what? Had mid-season arm issues and had to miss a rotation? Not sure what you are getting at. OHSAA has taken the lead (wrong or right) in saying we are going to address the data. Same thing as with concussions in football, soccer, etc.. I am sure kids from 10-15 years ago and longer had sore arms and played with concussions. OHSAA is simply saying (now that they are faced with data), hey let's try and manage this for the safety of the game/sport.
Catching is completely different arm action. Yeah, ok the pitcher throws 85 pitches and the catcher "throws" back 85 times. Not even close to the same arm action. Even with the occasional throw down to second/third for stolen base attempt, the catcher does not get the same wear and tear as the pitcher. Now having said that, if I just was on the hill and threw 90 pitches, I am not sure I would want to gear up and squat down for the last inning or so, but if you are saying that 90 pitches from the hill = 90 throw backs from the catcher then I disagree...a lot.
The culprit here is travel ball, which now starts at 8 years old (even early), and runs through HS years. 9, 10, 11 year old kids are throwing a lot of pitches over the course of a summer weekend and the cumulative effect of that by the time they are in HS adds up. Typically not a big OHSAA fan, but I think they got this one and the concussion emphasis right.