Pitchers are not more prone to injury than position players; catchers and infielders have similar injury rates. However, pitcher injuries differ from position player injuries because pitchers use a windmill motion that places unique demands on the back, neck, shoulder, forearm, and wrist.
What are the most common overuse injuries in softball?
For pitchers, the most common overuse injuries are shoulder tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon), back or neck pain, and elbow, forearm, and wrist tendinitis. For catchers, back and knee problems in addition to overhead throwing shoulder problems are the most common. For other position players, overhead shoulder and sometimes elbow problems predominate.
How can overuse softball injuries be prevented?
Overuse injuries are preventable. Some tips to keep you in the game throughout your life include:
- Warm up properly by stretching, running, and easy, gradual throwing.
- Rotate playing other positions besides pitcher.
- Concentrate on age-appropriate pitching.
- Adhere to pitch count guidelines (see tables).
- Avoid pitching on multiple teams with overlapping seasons.
- Flexibility of pitchers needs to be the focus during the season rather than strengthening.
- Don't pitch with pain, and see a doctor if the pain persists for a week.
- Don't pitch more than two consecutive days until age 13, and then no more than three days in a row.
- Don't play year-round.
- Radar Guns should only be used during competition for best pitch of speed vs. change up (ages 15+).
- Communicate regularly about how your arm is feeling and if there is pain or fatigue.
- Develop skills that are age appropriate.
- Emphasize control, accuracy, and good mechanics.
- Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about softball injuries or softball injury prevention strategies
- Return to play only when clearance is granted by a health care professional.
- The athlete should return to play only when clearance is granted by a health care professional.
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