Study looks at pitch counts, injuries for young pitchers

The results of a new University of Florida study call into question whether current athletic rules go far enough to protect high school baseball pitchers.

The Florida High School Athletic Association follows guidelines that restrict the numbers of pitches a student can throw per game.

For example, a 17-year-old is not supposed to throw more than 105 pitches per game.

But researchers said teams are not always counting the pre-game practice pitches, meaning students are throwing far more than they should.

As a result, they are increasing the risk for overuse injuries, the study found.

The best thing parents and coaches can do is to make sure the pitchers warm up and stick to the pitch guidelines.

For a complete look at the guidelines, go to http://www.ortho.ufl.edu/sites/ortho.ufl.edu/files/handouts/OSMI-Throwing_Injuries_Handout.pdf.