Fantasy Baseball isn’t a hazardous sport. However, injuries from incidents like wild pitches batted balls, and crashes in the field can be very real.
Some high-school starters can throw fastballs of 80 miles per hour or more, resulting in excruciating welts, broken bones, and even concussions. Major league arm problems can arise from excessive pitching and poor throwing mechanics, and base runners and fielders can crash while running at full speed.
1. Don’t Throw too Much
Overuse can be harmful to a pitcher’s arm on a regular, weekly, and annual basis. According to several reports, pitchers that throw more pitches per game and do not get enough rest between games are at a higher risk of injury. Although no optimum pitch counts have been established by medical testing, pitch count systems have been shown to minimize the likelihood of shoulder and elbow injury in Little League Baseball by up to 50%. (Little League, 2011). The most important thing for a reliever to do early in the season is to establish and stick to boundaries.
2. Don’t Compete with Arm Fatigue
Pitchers who pitch with arm fatigue regularly are 36 times more likely to suffer shoulder and elbow injuries.
3. Don’t Pitch More Than 100 Pitches a Year
People who throw more than 100 innings a year are 3.5 times more likely to be injured than those who don’t.
4. Don’t Throw for Longer than 8 Months a Year
Athletes who throw for more than eight months a year are five times more likely to experience an elbow or shoulder injury needing surgery. Pitchers should stop aggressive pitching for at least four months a year and refrain from tossing for at least 2-3 months per year.
5. Avoid Pitching on Consecutive Days
Pitchers who pitch on consecutive days have a 2.5-fold increased chance of arm pain.
6. Don’t Catch after Throwing
Catching after pitching increases the risk of a severe arm injury by 2.7 times in online games.
7. Don’t Play on many Teams at the Same Time
Since it’s challenging to keep track of field boundaries and rest time, there’s a greater chance of injury. If the player is on several teams, monitor the number of pitches thrown to ensure enough rest.
8. Don’t Overlook the Shoulder in Fitness Training Programmes
Deficiencies in upper extremity strength and agility have been attributed to a severe arm injury in various trials. Strengthening exercises for the shoulders and forearms can improve stamina, flexibility, and muscle coordination, all of which can help you avoid injuries.
9. Curveballs and Sliders Should be Used with Care
Although the previous study hasn’t reliably shown a connection between the curveball and injury, Yang et al. discovered that novice pitchers who threw curveballs were 1.6 likely to have experienced arm pain while pitching. Lyman et al. discovered that youth pitchers who throw sliders are 86 percent more likely to develop elbow pain.
10. Use Caution While Using a Radar Gun
While radar guns do not specifically damage a pitcher, they can force them to throw outside their natural comfort zone. This could put a burden on your arms.
This season, don’t redshirt. Athletes should consult with physical trainers to ensure that some muscle groups can withstand the pressure and motions required to do well in their sport. Take care of your season and partner with PT to make it a success!
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