DURHAM, N.C. - Major League Baseball and USA Baseball announced jointly on Tuesday several updates to the Pitch Smart program, a series of practical, age-appropriate guidelines to help parents, players and coaches avoid overuse injuries and foster long, healthy careers for youth pitchers. To limit the likelihood of injuries caused by pitching with fatigue, the Pitch Smart guidelines include age-specific pitching limits and required rest recommendations for pitchers ages seven to 22.
The updated guidelines, which will take effect in the 2018 season, include new thresholds for required rest periods for the 17-18 and 19-22 year old age groups. Pitchers in the 17-18 year old age group will now be required to rest for a minimum of three days after throwing between 61 and 80 pitches (previously between 61 and 75) and a minimum of four days after throwing 81 or more pitches (previously 76 or more). Pitchers in the 19-22 year old age group will now be required to rest for a minimum of three days after throwing between 61 and 80 pitches (previously between 61 and 75), a minimum of four days after throwing between 81 and 105 (previously 76 or more) and a minimum of five days after throwing 106 pitches or more (previously a minimum of four days rest was required after throwing 76 pitches or more). An additional stipulation will be added to the guidelines for all age groups that no pitcher should appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts. Previously, there was no limit on consecutive days in which a pitcher could appear.
Updates will also be made to the program's list of risk factors for injury. Specifically, the section on radar gun use will be expanded to elaborate the importance, from a health perspective, for young pitchers to be able to vary speeds for each pitch type.
Twenty-three amateur and youth organizations have fully adopted the Pitch Smart Compliance Program's guidelines and principles for the 2017 season. Additionally, USA Baseball and Major League Baseball have recognized six organizations as Select Compliant and five as educational supporters. USA will continue to collaborate with all organizations on their Pitch Smart progress throughout the 2017 season and will help with the implementation of these new updates in the 2018 season.
Pitch Smart is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball that provides safe pitching practices to help reduce the risk of arm injuries in amateur players. The program includes a growing number of resources on its home site at PitchSmart.org. It is further supported by a free online educational course available at USA Baseball's Online Education Center at USABaseball.Education that is hosted by Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz.
The Pitch Smart website also includes a series of answers to frequently asked questions regarding Tommy John surgery. This section will be revised to include more updated statistics on Tommy John surgeries in the U.S., as well as references to several research studies on the risk factors for Tommy John surgery and the most affected demographics.
For the complete pitching guidelines and recommended rest periods for all age groups, as well as information on the Pitch Smart Compliance program and additional resources to help reduce the risk of arm injuries in amateur players, visit PitchSmart.org.
"We're pleased with the enduring forward progress of the Pitch Smart initiative," said Rick Riccobono, USA Baseball's Chief Development Officer. "The continued evolution of this program and its guidelines will help ensure the best possible experience for the participants of our game, while better positioning them to have long, healthy and prosperous careers."
