For young boys all over the country, pitcher is the dream position on a baseball team, the equivalent of playing quarterback for a football squad. While boys should be encouraged to try out and participate in Little League Baseball, care should be taken in training a player as a pitcher. With boys of Little League age growing at a rapid rate, improper training can have long-term effects on a child's shoulder, arm or elbow.
Psychology
One of the most important things to remember when involving children in athletics is that sports are supposed to be fun. While they also teach important lessons like teamwork, commitment and hard work, sports should be a recreation for kids, not labor. Children who feel they are being pushed by their parents or coaches past their level of enjoyment of the game can come to view the sport itself with a negative connotation.
Staying Safe
Little League pitchers should never be overworked. Between daily or weekly practices and actual games, most players see plenty of time on the field without needing extra work off of it. Players should practice by doing natural, full-body motions, not working on specific mechanics and technique. Children's bones are more susceptible to injuries than adults because they are still in the process of growing.
Proper Equipment and Facilities
There's nothing more iconic than a father and son out in the front yard playing catch before dinner. While this is a great way to relax and bond, it's not the best way to teach a young player how to become a pitcher. Pitching experts say pitching off flat ground causes more strain on a player's body than pitching off a raised mound. In addition, younger players should learn to pitch at a shorter distance than the traditional 60 feet, 6 inch mark of older skill levels. Proper safety equipment should also be used--correct fitting gloves for all players, as well as masks and protection equipment for catchers.
Keeping it Simple
Young players in particular should not worry about or be taught to throw anything but fastballs. Attempting to throw breaking balls takes full command of one's body and should only be attempted by older players. Throwing other pitches can also throw off a player's natural pitching motion and make it difficult to regain, resulting in injury.
Ask a Professional
Plenty of American men and women love baseball with a passion, but there's a big difference between knowing the rules of the game and teaching the method of it to a child. Teaching a young player the fundamentals of baseball is naturally a pastime a parent can take pride in, but more advanced skills like pitching off a mound or hitting in a batting cage often need more knowledge. Parents whose children are serious about playing baseball competitively should consider seeking lessons for their child from a professional coach, or enrolling their child in a camp to learn more from instructors who earn their living teaching others the craft of baseball.
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