PITCHING IN YOUTH SOFTBALL: HOW MUCH ARE PITCHERS THROWING?

Abstract

Background:Softball is a popular sport among youth female athletes. While multiple youth baseball studies have evaluated the relationship of injury to pitch counts, there is a paucity of literature for youth softball. In contrast to the numerous youth baseball leagues adhering to pitching guidelines, pitch counts are frequently not enforced in youth softball which results in pitchers with exceedingly high volumes.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to perform a quantitative analysis of pitching volume in youth softball players. We hypothesized that the majority of pitches would be thrown by a small proportion of pitchers on each team.Methods:Seventy youth softball teams including 538 pitchers competing in age brackets eight and under (8U) to fourteen and under (14U) between Spring 2017 and Fall 2019. Game dates and pitch counts were collected for each player using an electronic application. Games played on two or more consecutive days were defined as a tournament. The three highest-volume pitchers from each team defined by total season pitches were analyzed for comparison to the average pitcher.Results:538 pitchers on 70 teams were included. The average pitcher threw 813 pitches per year and appeared in 20.0% of games and the average high-volume pitcher threw 2500 pitches per year and appeared in 54.5% of games. The highest-volume pitcher from each team threw 40% of all recorded pitches, the second highest 27.2%, and the third highest 15.2%, totaling 82.4% of all team pitches. Single day pitch counts of >100 and >200 occurred in 17.7%, and 1.1% of same day games with the average pitcher and in 31.2%, and 2.4% of same day games with the average highest-volume pitcher. Tournament pitch counts of >100 and >200 occurred in 51.0% and 13.8% of tournaments with the average pitcher and in 81.4% and 30.8% of tournaments with the average highest-volume pitcher. The average and highest-volume pitcher threw pitches in two or more games on the same day in 37.5% and 48.6% of possible games while pitching two or more consecutive days in 64.0% and 79.6% of possible games, respectively.Conclusion:Softball pitchers throw high volumes of pitches while also pitching multiple days consecutively. A disparity among pitchers on softball teams exists as 82.4% of team pitches are thrown by three pitchers. These high-volume pitchers may be engaging in unsustainable pitching practices that could predispose to injury.Tables: