YOUTH PITCHERS

Pitching biomechanics were compared for 23 youth (age range: 10-15 yrs), 33 high school (15-20), 115 college (17-23), and 60 professional (20-29) level athletes. Even when normalized by bodyweight and height, all joint forces and torques increased with competition level. Ball and joint velocities also increased.

However, ten of eleven position parameters (shoulder angle, elbow angle, trunk position, etc.) showed no differences between levels.

These results support the philosophy that a child should be taught "proper" pitching mechanics that could be used throughout a career.

Use of a smaller, lighter baseball might allow youth league pitchers to generate arm velocities more similar to those produced by adult pitchers, and might help the young pitcher learn proper grips.

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