Comments on: Softball Pitching and Injury Rates Study Results

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 21 May 2011 23:16:24 +0000

Hi Cindy! Thanks for this information on softball pitching and related injurys. I’ve played baseball and fastpitch softball for many years and I can tell you that I’ve had way more injuries throwing overhand than I have pitching underhand. However, any excessive motion over a long period of time can cause muscle and joint related problems if proper care is not taken. The more popular term would be ‘burn out’ from overuse. From what I’ve seen in baseball, there are many more injuries that occur to not only the shoulder but also to the elbow and wrist. These injuries are caused by significantly more torsion on the elbow as the arm snaps back to extend the arm through the throwing action in baseball-remember Tommy John? In 1974, Tommy had ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, which is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body (often from the forearm, hamstring, knee, or foot of the patient). The procedure is common among collegiate and professional athletes in several sports, but most notably baseball.

Whereas, in softball the biceps brachii contracts and extends in a flexing motion which actually contributes to the development of muscle in response. Ty Stofflet is an example, out of Reading, PA who was clocked at 104 mph and one of the faster pitchers to have ever played the game. Ty’s left arm was considerably larger than his right arm. You do not generally see that kind of muscle development in baseball pitchers. In defence of underhand pitching, and in my old school opinion, it’s really more of a natural motion versus throwing overhand given that there is more muscle development in softball pitchers than there is in baseball pitchers…or least in theory.

By: Cindy Bristow

Cindy Bristow — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:54:58 +0000

For a lot of young pitchers who aren’t used to pitching an entire game, whenever they do so it can really place a lot of strain on their arms and shoulder area. While this doesn’t mean they actually injured their arm it does mean they should always ice it after pitching and rest it until it feels better. Tell your pitchers to warm up good, stretch good and ice after pitching – this kind of routine will help prevent any long term injuries that can result from overuse. As long as her pitching mechanics are good then she should be fine after some ice and rest.

By: Cameron

Cameron — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:23:05 +0000

My daughter pitched a 2 hour game one day and the next her arm was starting to hurt where she couldnt throw things and and it also hurt near the rib part. Is this common and will it harm her pitching career?
thanks

By: Cindy Bristow

Cindy Bristow — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:28:32 +0000

Hi Steve, Sorry to hear about your daughter but it sounds like she needs to find out what she’s doing to cause the injury and solve that first – then add rest and she should start to see improvement. If she’s a pitcher, then I’m guessing she keeps her weight over her back foot too long through the motion which will really create a strain on the inner groin. Ask her what skill she does, or position within a certain skill, and you’re on your way to solving the problem.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:17:43 +0000

My daughter has been battling a right groin injury for almost 4 months now. She has taken 2 weeks off a couple of times and even a month this last time, and it keeps giving her trouble. Any ideas on time and what to do about this injury? Thanks.

By: Cindy Bristow

Cindy Bristow — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:23:29 +0000

I’m not aware of any studies in this type of injury for softball pitchers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. I do suggest that your daughter start back pitching gradually even though she’s rested for 5 months. Go slow and don’t overdue it. It is mearly a myth that softball pitching is a “natural motion”. There’s nothing natural about moving your arm as fast as you possibly can while trying to throw a 6 ounce, 12 inch ball as hard as possible as often as possible – no matter what amateurs say about it. ICE and rest are 2 of the best friends a pitcher can have. Good luck! Cindy

By: Shelly

Shelly — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:01:34 +0000

My daugther is a pitcher and she was used in excess last year. She ended the season with a rib injury in the coastal cartilidge. There was no tear, the area was just inflamed and it made breathing very difficult. The solution was rest and she has been resting for 5 months and she is just getting back to pitching. As time progressed, the only motion that aggrevated the area was the windmill motion so I feel it was an overuse injury. Are there and studies about that type of injury in softball pitchers?